Skylines and views


The skyline of Hong Kong is really impressive. Due to the position as an important financial center, and the lack of space for residential buildings, Hong Kong has more skyscrapers then any other city in the world. As one of the densest place in the world, the majority of all office, residential and hotel buildings are all scraping the sky. Only New York and Shanghai can even compete with Hong Kong. Some of them, like Bank of China, ICC, IFC, Central Plaza, Lippo Towers, Shun Tak Centre, Jardine House and HSBC are also world famous, and have been designed by the world's famous architects such as IM Pei and Norman Foster. The most impressive part is the south shore of Hong Kong Island, especially Central, Admirality and Wan Chai districts. Even Eastern (including Causeway Bay and North Point) and Western districts have decent collections of skyscrapers. The tallest building though, the 484m, 108-storey International Commerce Center (ICC), is situated on West Kowloon opposite the island: almost right opposite the 90-storey, 412m tall Two International Finance Centre (IFC), the 2nd tallest and tallest building on HK Island, completed in 2003. Before ICC and the Union Square project was built as late as in 2010, there were not many skyscrapers in Kowloon. In Tsuen Wan, in New Terriotories and Lantau Island, you can also find some tall buildings. The tallest buildings in the world are however, situated in Dubai and Shanghai. The tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong, ICC, is only 7th tallest in the world (2015).

Because of its surrounding mountains and the many tall buildings, there are several ways to watch the skyline from afar. One is by taking a Star ferry to the other side, from HK Island to Kowloon and vice versa. There is a special light show called Symphony of Lights, when the skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island are flashing and illuminated in different colours, accompanied by music. It can be seen from Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade on the south shores of Kowloon at 8PM every evening. Even before and after the show, many building have very nice and colourful illuminations. There are also some free observation decks in Hong Kong's skyscrapers, for example in Central Plaza in Wan Chai, the 3rd tallest skyscraper in HK, that was built in 1992. The one in Bank of China Tower, IM Pei:s masterpiece and HK:s tallest building from 1990-92 (now 4th tallest), is unfortunately closed. Sky100, that is situated on the top floor of the tallest building in Hong Kong, ICC, costs about 180HK$, but is really a good value for money since it offers 360 degrees views over the whole city! Many hotels also offers nice views from the rooms; for example we stayed on the 30th and 25th floors in two different hotels (Best Western Harbour View and Empire Kowloon). If you want to see the skyline from above, you can also walk or take the bus to some of the roads in Mid-Level, high above Central, or take the tram to the famous Victoria Peak, that features amazing views over the city and harbour on clear days. Unfortunately there are not many days when the weather is clear in Hong Kong though, unless you are very lucky and visit HK on one of the few sunny days. The skyline is mostly disguised in fog and grey clouds, at times even when the sun is shining. However, the skyline is really impressive from any angle. The parks, like Hong Kong Park and some open places, like Statue Square (the heart of Hong Kong), offer nice views of the skyline.

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