One of the best parts of wandering a city is admiring its towering skyscrapers. These vertical giants are canvases for architects, requiring a lot of imagination and some very smart urban planning to allow their ascent to the heavens.
How tall must a building stretch to be considered a skyscraper? The answer is at least 150 metres, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, which has taken count of the most skyscraper-packed cities in the world.
With a whopping 560 skyscrapers, Hong Kong towers above the other cities on CTBUH’s list. With its ‘skyrocketing’ population and limited mountainous terrain, urban planners figured that the only way to build was up, turning the city into a high-rise haven by the South China Sea.
Its tallest building is The International Commerce Centre – one of the most sustainable buildings in the world – completed in 2010 and standing at 118 stories and 484 metres, followed by the Two International Finance Centre in 2003 at 416 metres, then Central Plaza, finished in 1992 and reaching 374 meters. The asymmetrical Bank of China Tower, completed in 1989 and designed by architect I.M. Pei, represents the growth and prosperity of bamboo forests, and is a recognisable icon on Hong Kong’s skyline. It’s also part of the city’s Symphony of Lights, a permanent installation that illuminates Hong Kong every night after 8pm.
In second place, Shenzhen, China boasts 444 skyscrapers. Its tallest structure is the Ping An Finance Centre. Following in third place is the city with arguably the most recognisable skyline, New York City. Over 320 high-rises make up the Big Apple, including One World Trade Center and the beloved Chrysler and Empire State buildings, making the city a veritable architectural museum.
These are the cities with the most skyscrapers in the world
1. Hong Kong, China
2. Shenzhen, China
3. New York City, US
4. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
5. Guangzhou, China
6. Shanghai, China
7. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
8. Wuhan, China
9. Tokyo, Japan
10. Chongqing, China
11. Chicago, US
12. Bangkok, Thailand
13. Chengdu, China
14. Jakarta, Indonesia
15. Mumbai, India
16. Toronto, Canada
17. Shenyang, China
18. Singapore, Singapore
19. Nanning, China
20. Hangzhou, China
Did you see the 24 most beautiful buildings in the world?
Plus: The world’s best train is launching a brand new route.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.
