A guide to Hong Kong’s skyline

Hong Kong is a city surrounded by seas, mountains and forests. Its skyline, one of the world’s most iconic, represents the natural environment and the city’s development over time. In this guide, we look at five of Hong Kong’s most impressive buildings. 

At 1,205 feet tall, the Bank of China Tower is Hong Kong’s fourth tallest skyscraper. Designed by I.M. Pei (the architect behind the Louvre), the Bank of China Tower was inspired by bamboo shoots, which symbolise livelihood and prosperity in Feng Shui. Consisting of four steel columns, one set at each corner of the building in a 52-metre cube, the structure’s mass decreases consistently until a singular triangular prism shoots into the sky. The result is a harmonious blend of modern architecture and traditional Chinese design. 

Home to the world’s highest church and Hong Kong’s most identifiable timepiece, Central Plaza stands tall at 1,227 feet. The 78-storey building is the third tallest structure in Hong Kong and is made from 50,000 square metres of glass. Located in the Wan Chai district, Central Plaza overlooks Hong Kong’s bustling harbour. Visitors can get an even better look at the city from the Sky Lobby which is positioned on the 46th floor and offers 360-degree panoramic views. 

As the 13th tallest building in the world and the tallest construction in Hong Kong, the International Commerce Centre stands proudly at 1,588 feet tall. The International Commerce Centre was intended to be much taller but fears that it would disrupt the hills of Hong Kong overruled. The building, which boasts 108 stories, houses the Elements Mall, three Michelin-starred restaurants, the Sky100 Hong Kong Observation deck and the Hotel Ritz Carlton Hong Kong. 

Easily distinguishable, The Center stands tall at 1,135 feet. The structure, which is made entirely of steel with no reinforced concrete inner core, is encased in low-voltage neon lights that change colour and flash at night. The Center, which was completed in 1998, boasts 73 storeys and is mainly occupied by commercial offices. On the 42nd floor, visitors will find a sky lobby that acts as a viewing area and boasts unbelievable views across Hong Kong’s skyline. 

You may recognise the Two International Finance Centre from Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life or The Dark Knight. The 1,362-foot-tall structure located at the edge of Victoria Harbour is the second-tallest building on Hong Kong’s skyline. It contains 88 storeys and 22 trading floors - both auspicious numbers in Chinese culture - and is home to giants including UBS, Samsung Electronics, Hong Kong Monetary Authority and BNP Paribas.