Zhujiang New Town (Tianhe district)

Zhujiang New Town (ZNT) is a newly constructed CBD in the southernmost part of Tianhe district, it stretches to the Pearl River and is connected with the "old" CBD of Tianhe. Only 5 years ago this district didn't have many tall buildings. Today Guangzhou two tallest buildings (Canton Tower is not counted as a building as it is a freestanding tower) are situated here; International Finance Centre (hereafter called IFC) stands 438m tall with 103 floors, and opposite it the 111-storey (!) Chow Tai Fook Centre is under construction, with a height of 530m tall upon completion in 2016! During our visit in 2015, it was nearly topped out.

Other notable buildings in Zhujiang New Town are the oval Pearl River Tower (310m), the postmodern The Pinnacle (360m), the glass Fortune Center (310m), the diagonal Leatop Plaza (303m) and the glass R&F Yingkai Square among others (296m). All these skyscrapers have been built after 2010! Canton Tower, the tallest strucuture of Guangzhou (600m), stands opposite ZNT from Pearl River. There is a green avenue/park that divides Zhujiang New Town into two, flanked by ultramodern, supertall skyscrapers on both side. It is called Zhujiang Xi Lu and Zhujiang Xi Dong. Zhujiang New Town's western part was designed to be the city's purpose-built CBD for the 21st century, while the Eastern part, that is larger in size, is mainly residential and includes the Zhujiang Park. But not only skyscrapers have been built here, also lower public cultural buildings with spectacular designs have been constructed here recently; the new Guangzhou Opera House, the second Children's Palace, the new Guangzhou Library and the new Guangdong Provincial Museum. A people mover, beautiful pounds, trees, palms, sculptures and gardens, de luxe hotels, two metro stations and a large underground mall, Mall of the World, can also be found in ZNT. The area has been planned since the early 1990s, but hasn't developed until around 2010, when the Asian Games where held in Guangzhou. World famous architects like SOM, Wilkinson Eyre and Zaha Hadid have been involved.

Chow Tai Fook Centre (530m, 111 floors, u/c, 2016) and IFC (438m, 103 floors, 2010 ) the two tallest skyscrapers of Guangzhou.Zhujiang New Town with the 3 tallest structures of Guangzhou: Chow Tai Fook Centre (530m, u/c), Canton Tower (600m) and IFC (438m). Zhujiang New Town, from the left: Chow Tai Fook Center (530m, completion 2016), IFC (International Finance Center (438m, built 2010), R&F Yangkai Square (296m, built 2014). Guangzhou International Finance Center (IFC) is Guangzhou's tallest building until 2016 (Canton Tower that was built the same year is taller but not a building). It was built in 2010, has 103 floors and is 438m tall. It is mixed use, it contains an observation deck, a restaurant, a landing pad contains offices and a Four Seasons hotel. It was designed by Wilkinson Eyre. Chow Tai Fook Centre in Zhujiang New Town will be Guangzhou's tallest building upon completion in 2016, with a height of 530m. It will have 111 floors, taller then Empire State Bldg and Taipei 101 for example. It was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox and will be mixed use (hotel, offices, helipad). Initially, it was planned to be a twin tower to nearby IFC, but is now almost 100m taller! Streetscape of Zhujiang New Town and the rest of Tianhe district's West part. Opera House in front o f skyscrapers. Canton Tower, tallest structure, and IFC, tallest skyscraper (2015). Zhujiang New Town skyline with Fortune Center and other ultramodern skyscrapers in contrasts to the neo-classicist Agricultural Bank.Agricultural Bank of China's (ABC) building in Guangzhou looks a neo-classicist building in New York like. ABC is the world's 8th largest public company and China's 3rd largest bank. Pearl River Tower (310m, 71 floors) and The Pinnacle (360m, 60 floors). Built 2011 and 2012. Pearl River Tower (310m, 71 floors) and The Pinnacle (360m, 60 floors). Built 2011 and 2012. Zhujiang_New Town_050 Fortune Center (309m) was built in 2015. Leatop Plaza (302m) and Bank of Guangzhou Tower (267m), both built in 2012. Guangzhou Opera in Zhujiang New Town was designed by Zaha Hadid and was completed in 2010. It is one of the 3 biggest theaters in China. It costed 1.38 billion yuan to construct and has a seating capacity of 1804. Leatop Plaza, Bank of Guangzhou Tower and Fortune Center.Zhujiang New Town.Zhujiang New Town. Zhujiang New Town with two new skyscrapers u/c: GT Landmark Plaza and GT Landmark Plaza u/c (280m, 2015). Zhujiang New Town. Tianhe district old part of the CBD with CITIC Plaza and Chow Tai Fook Centre. Chow Tai Fook Centre in Zhujiang New Town will be Guangzhou's tallest building upon completion in 2016, with a height of 530m. It will have 111 floors, taller then Empire State Bldg and Taipei 101 for example. It was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox and will be mixed use (hotel, offices, helipad). Initially, it was planned to be a twin tower to nearby IFC, but is now almost 100m taller! Chow Tai Fook Centre (530m, 111 floors, u/c, 2016) and IFC (438m, 103 floors, 2010 ) the two tallest skyscrapers of Guangzhou. Guangzhou International Finance Center (IFC) is Guangzhou's tallest building until 2016 (Canton Tower that was built the same year is taller but not a building). It was built in 2010, has 103 floors and is 438m tall. It is mixed use, it contains an observation deck, a restaurant, a landing pad contains offices and a Four Seasons hotel. It was designed by Wilkinson Eyre. Sculpture in front of IFC The entrance to IFC (Guangzhou International Finance Center). Sculpture in front of IFC Zhujiang New Town 064 In front of IFC In front of IFC Zhujiang New Town 087 Zhujiang New Town 086 CITIC Plaza, formerly the tallest in Asia Zhujiang New Town 084 Pearl River Tower, Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou International Finance Center (IFC) is Guangzhou's tallest building until 2016 (Canton Tower that was built the same year is taller but not a building). It was built in 2010, has 103 floors and is 438m tall. It is mixed use, it contains an observation deck, a restaurant, a landing pad contains offices and a Four Seasons hotel. It was designed by Wilkinson Eyre. Guangzhou International Finance Center (IFC) is Guangzhou's tallest building until 2016 (Canton Tower that was built the same year is taller but not a building). It was built in 2010, has 103 floors and is 438m tall. It is mixed use, it contains an observation deck, a restaurant, a landing pad contains offices and a Four Seasons hotel. It was designed by Wilkinson Eyre. View from the Four Seasons Hotel on the 70th floor of the 103-storey IFC Bldg towards the even taller Canton Tower. View from the Four Seasons Hotel on the 70th floor of the 103-storey IFC Bldg, towards Pearl River. Guangzhou skyline from Four Seasons/IFC. View from from Four Seasons/IFC. Lobby of from Four Seasons Hotel. View from Four Seasons/IFC. View of Pearl River from Four Seasons/IFC. View of Pearl River from Four Seasons/IFC. The base of Canton Tower from Four Seasons/IFC. View of Pearl River and CC Tower in Zhujiang New Town from Four Seasons/IFC. Sky lobby at the Four Seasons Hotel, on IFC:s 70th floor. Sky bar at the Four Seasons Hotel. Canton Tower, opposite Zhujiang New Town, built 2010, is 600m tall to the top. Twice as tall as the Eiffel Tower, it was the world's tallest freestanding tower for 2 years, now it is 5th tallest. The skyline of Zhujiang New Town with Chow Tai Fook Centre (530m, 111 floors, u/c, 2016) and IFC (438m, 103 floors, 2010 ) the two tallest skyscrapers of Guangzhou. Zhujiang New Town 151 Guangzhou Opera House in Zhujiang New Town was designed by Zaha Hadid and was completed in 2010. It is one of the 3 biggest theaters in China. It costed 1.38 billion yuan to construct and has a seating capacity of 1804. Guangzhou Opera in Zhujiang New Town was designed by Zaha Hadid and was completed in 2010. It is one of the 3 biggest theaters in China. It costed 1.38 billion yuan to construct and has a seating capacity of 1804. Green sloping roofs of Guangzhou Opera House.Opera, Zhujiang New Town Opera, Zhujiang New Town Zhujiang New Town 149 Guangdong Provincial Museum's new building in ZNT opened in 2010. The building with its significant black and red patterns was designed by Rocco Design Architects. Guangdong Provincial Museum's new building in ZNT opened in 2010. The building with its significant black and red patterns was designed by Rocco Design Architects. Guangdong Provincial Museum's new building in ZNT opened in 2010. The building with its significant black and red patterns was designed by Rocco Design Architects.Guangzhou Library, built in 2013 and is the world's largest open-stack public library. Unfortunately it was closed, so we couldn't see the impressive atrium inside. It was designed by Nikken Sekkei. Guangzhou Library, built in 2013 and is the world's largest open-stack public library. Unfortunately it was closed, so we couldn't see the impressive atrium inside. It was designed by Nikken Sekkei. Guangzhou Library, built in 2013 and is the world's largest open-stack public library. Unfortunately it was closed, so we couldn't see the impressive atrium inside. It was designed by Nikken Sekkei. Guangzhou Library, built in 2013 and is the world's largest open-stack public library. Unfortunately it was closed, so we couldn't see the impressive atrium inside. It was designed by Nikken Sekkei. Zhujiang New Town 098 Guangzhou Library, built in 2013 and is the world's largest open-stack public library. Unfortunately it was closed, so we couldn't see the impressive atrium inside. It was designed by Nikken Sekkei. Guangzhou Library, built in 2013 and is the world's largest open-stack public library. Unfortunately it was closed, so we couldn't see the impressive atrium inside. It was designed by Nikken Sekkei. Business district at Zhujiang New Town with CC Tower in the middle. Zhujiang New Town with Chow Tai Fook Centre and Provincial Museum. Hangzhou district with the base of Canton Tower and Pearl River. Tianhe CBD with CITIC Plaza, Asia's tallest building upon completion in 1996. Zhujiang New Town 025 There are several palms in Zhujiang New Town. Zhujiang New Town 023 Zhujiang New Town with IFC. Some of the older skyscrapers of Guangzhou. Leatop Plaza from 2012 has 64 floors on 312m. Designed by Murphy/Jahn. Chow Tai Fook mirroring in a pound. There are many pound, trees, flowers and bushes in Zhujiang New Town. It is also a car free area. There are many pound, trees, flowers and bushes in Zhujiang New Town. It is also a car free area. Landscape of Zhujiang New Town 017 Chow Tai Fook Centre in Zhujiang New Town will be Guangzhou's tallest building upon completion in 2016, with a height of 530m. It will have 111 floors, taller then Empire State Bldg and Taipei 101 for example. It was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox and will be mixed use (hotel, offices, helipad). Initially, it was planned to be a twin tower to nearby IFC, but is now almost 100m taller! Zhujiang New Town from IFC (International Finance Centre, current tallest building). Zhujiang New Town from IFC. Zhujiang New Town from IFC. Pearl River Tower in 2011 has 71 floors on 310m. This spectacular skyscraper was designed in structural experssionist style by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and is one of the most environmental friendly buildings in the world, since it produces more energy then it consumes. Pearl River Tower in 2011 has 71 floors on 310m. This spectacular skyscraper was designed in structural experssionist style by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and is one of the most environmental friendly buildings in the world, since it produces more energy then it consumes. The Pinnacle, a 360m tall postmodern skyscraper. Zhujiang New Town 012 Teemtower Office Building from 2007 is 195m tall. Pearl River Tower (310m, 71 floors) and The Pinnacle (360m, 60 floors). Built 2011 and 2012. Zhujiang New Town 007 Zhujiang New Town 179 Zhujiang New Town 178 Zhujiang New Town 177 Zhujiang New Town with Agricultural Bank behind the greenery. Zhujiang New Town 175 Zhujiang New Town 174 Zhujiang New Town 173 Pearl River Tower in 2011 has 71 floors on 310m. This spectacular skyscraper was designed in structural experssionist style by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and is one of the most environmental friendly buildings in the world, since it produces more energy then it consumes. The Pinnacle (360m, 60 floors), a postmodern skyscraper built 2012. The Pinnacle (360m, 60 floors), a postmodern skyscraper built 2012. Would fit well in New York. Construction of Chow Tai Fook Centre that will be Guangzhou's tallest building upon completion in 2016, with a height of 530m IFC to the left and Grand Hyatt to the right. Zhujiang New Town with the 3 tallest structures of Guangzhou. Zhujiang New Town 026 Zhujiang New Town 166 Zhujiang New Town 165 Zhujiang New Town 164 Zhujiang New Town 163 Asian Games was held in Guangzhou in 2010. Fortune Center Agricultural Bank. Flower arrangements in Zhujiang New Town. Zhujiang New Town 157 Grand Hyatt hotel with Pearl River Tower and The Pinnacle in the background. A Volvo fire engine at the Fireworkers memorial. Fireworkers memorial in the park that goes in the middle of Zhujiang New Town. Fireworkers memorial in the park that goes in the middle of Zhujiang New Town. Fireworkers memorial in the park that goes in the middle of Zhujiang New Town. There is a green avenue/park that divides Zhujiang New Town into two. It is called Zhujiang Xi Lu and Zhujiang Xi Dong. Zhujiang New Town with Agricultural Bank behind the greenery. Zaha Hadid's opera house in front of CC Tower with its tall spire. Zhujiang New Town 144 This grandstand was built for the opening ceremony 2010 Asian Games on Haixinsha Island, a small island in Pearl River, between the skyscrapers of ZNT and Hazou. It was This grandstand was built for the opening ceremony 2010 Asian Games on Haixinsha Island, a small island in Pearl River, between the skyscrapers of ZNT and Hazou. It was planned to be demolished after the games, but it will problaby be turned to a luxury hotel with a rooftop pool. Liede Bridge crosses Pearl River since 2009 and connects Tianhe with Huzhu. Events in Zhujiang New Town Mall of the World Mall of the World and Guangzhou Library. Mall of the World and Guangzhou Library. Mall of the World Mall of the World, Guangzhou's largest underground shopping mall, and one of the newest. It has open outdoor plazas under street level, with escalators down from Zhujiang New Town. Mall of the World, Guangzhou's largest underground shopping mall, and one of the newest. It has open outdoor plazas under street level, with escalators down from Zhujiang New Town. Zhujiang New Town 141 The Opera and skyscrapers. A red wooden structure in the middle of glass and steel buildings. Zhujiang New Town 129 Zhujiang New Town 126 Zhujiang New Town 125 CC Tower (32 floors, 2005) and other highrises, Zhujiang New Town. Huzhou district and Pearl River with the base of Canton Tower seen from ZNT. Zhujiang New Town 121 Zhujiang New Town 120 Zhujiang New Town 119 Chow Tai Fook Centre (530m, 111 floors, u/c, 2016) and IFC (438m, 103 floors, 2010 ) the two tallest skyscrapers of Guangzhou. Zhujiang New Town 117 Canton Tower, built 2010, is 600m tall to the top and stands opposite ZNT. Twice as tall as the Eiffel Tower, it was the world's tallest freestanding tower for 2 years, now it is 5th tallest. Zhujiang New Town 113 Chow Tai Fook Centre (530m, 111 floors, u/c, 2016) and IFC (438m, 103 floors, 2010 ) the two tallest skyscrapers of Guangzhou. Zhujiang New Town 109 Zhujiang Boulevard/park. Zhujiang New Town 097 Zhujiang New Town 096 Chow Tai Fook Centre (530m, 111 floors, 2016) under construction. 104-storey IFC Canton Tower, built 2010, is 600m tall to the top and stands opposite ZNT. Twice as tall as the Eiffel Tower, it was the world's tallest freestanding tower for 2 years, now it is 5th tallest. Canton Culture Center with Canton Tower in the background. Zhujiang New Town 090 Skybridges in Zhujiang New Town Zhujiang New Town 059 Entrance to IFC IFC The library Zhujiang New Town 047 Zhujiang New Town 046 Canton Tower (600m tall) seen from Zhujiang New Town. Zhujiang New Town 044 R&F Yangkai Square (296m, built 2014).Huachen Avenue, Zhujiang New Town. R&F Yangkai Square (296m, built 2014). Huaxia Road, Zhujiang New Town. Zhujiang New Town 036 Chow Tai Fook Centre (530m, 111 floors, 2016) under construction. Chow Tai Fook Centre (530m, 111 floors, 2016) under construction. Zhujiang New Town 034 Helipad of IFC (left, Guangzhou's 2nd tallest) and R&F Yangkai Square Palms and benches. Zhujiang New Town 027 Zhujiang New Town 031 The 3 tallest structures of Guangzhou: Chow Tai Fook Centre (530m, u/c), Canton Tower (600m) and IFC (438m). Guangzhou skyline from our hotel room at the Yutong Hotel: Zhujiang New Town with International Finance Center and Chow Tai Fook Center (u/c) both around 500m tall! Guangzhou skyline from our hotel room at the Yutong Hotel: Zhujiang New Town. View of Zhujiang New Town from a bridge above Pearl River. Zhujiang New Town at night, from the left: Chow Tai Fook Center (530m, completion 2016, not illuminated), IFC (International Finance Center (438m, built 2010), R&F Yangkai Square (296m, built 2014).See more in the night section. IFC, the currently tallest skyscraper, with it's illuminated diagonal patterns at night. Zhujiang New Town at night. Zhujiang New Town at night. Zhujiang New Town at night. Guangzhou night skyline from our hotel room at the Yutong Hotel, from the left: Canton Tower, Chow Tai Fook Centre, IFC. Zhujiang New Town skyline at night. See more in the night and skylines sections.