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by Dinesh Vora
Hong Kong is number one on my list for many reasons: Hong Kong has whopping 39
buildings over 200 meters tall. It also boasts four of the 15 tallest buildings
in the world... that's all in one city! Hong Kong's skyline shows a large
selection of distinct sky-reaching towers, with beautiful night lighting and
reflection. This city exemplifies the post-modern skyscraper and skyline.
Finally, the mountain backdrop makes this skyline (as you can clearly see) the
greatest on the planet!
Metro/Urban Population: 6.8 million
Hong Kong
Chicago is the birthplace of the modern skyscraper. When Chicago built its first
steel high-rise in 1885, it was not the tallest structure in the world but the
first example of a new form of engineering that would change nearly every city
on earth. Chicago has 17 buildings over 200 meters tall (three of which are
among the top 20 tallest buildings in the world, including the tallest in North
America). Chicago has some of the finest mid-century architecture and examples
of modern skyscrapers.
Metro/Urban Population: 8.5 million
chicago
Not to be mistaken for a space station, Shanghai is a real city! China's biggest
and most advanced city, Shanghai was said to be the most cosmopolitan city in
the beginning of the 20th century, but lost its glory during the "Mao era". It
is now quickly regaining its position as one of the biggest economic powerhouses
in the world as well as a showcase of modern architecture. In Shanghai you'll
find 18 structures that are over 200 meters tall, one of which is the insanely
tall, the 468m downtown Oriental Pearl TV Tower.
Metro/Urban Population: 13.1 million
Shanghai
New York City has one of the densest and most diverse skylines, with a huge
collection of buildings and building styles. Thanks to Hollywood's obsession
with the city, it is also the most easily recognizable skyline in the world. New
York City has an amazing 44 buildings over 200 meters - the most in the world!
Home of the famous, now destroyed World Trade Center Towers, the Empire State
building, the Statue of Liberty and the United Nations, New York City is the
financial capital of the western world. Upon the completion of the new "Freedom
Tower" (built on the old site of the World Trade Centers), it may rank higher in
this list (depending on how good it looks of course).
Metro/Urban Population: 21.0 million
New York City
Tokyo is the world's most populated city. Its skyline has a number of unique
characteristics that set it apart from other big city skylines, among them 15
structures at over 200 meters tall (including the Tokyo Tower which changes
colors every night). But because of the density and vast size of the city, every
corner appears to have its own skyline. With the height restrictions and the
required red lights that flash atop all mid to tall-sized buildings make the
city look spectacular at night. Tokyo is filled with neon lighting and unique,
contemporary architecture, and like New York City is also often portrayed in
movies for its aesthetic and eye-catching cityscapes. Interesting fact: Tokyo
houses the world's largest fleet of helicopters to get around town if traffic
gets too crazy.
Metro/Urban Population: 32.0 million
Tokyo, Japan
One of the best (urban) planned and cleanliest metropolitan cities in the world,
Singapore looks like an architectural model city come to life. The buildings
cannot be higher than 280 meters due to air traffic control restrictions, but
that has added a tall (but not too tall) and consistent building height and
space pattern that makes this skyline unique: Three buildings are exactly 280
meters tall and 5 others (8 total) stand at just over 200 metres. The buildings
are mostly light-coloured and there is a large expanse of greenery dotted around
the city core. This South-Eastern city is definitely in a league of its own.
Metro/Urban Population: 3.8 million
Singapore
Toronto is a meeting place, a crossroads of many cultures and ethnicities.
Toronto is downtown Canada, the biggest city in the country with a skyline to
match. Toronto has 7 structures in its skyline that stand at over 200 metres,
including the astonishingly tall 553 metres, CN Tower, which is often referred
to as the tallest freestanding structure in the world. While mostly untrue
(because there are taller TV masts in the world), the CN Tower possesses the
world's highest observation deck, making this city's skyline one of the most
immediately identifiable.
Metro/Urban Population: 5.1 million
Toronto, Canada
This is probably the most impressive city worldwide that has less than 2 million
residents. Marvelous modern buildings reach the sky here, and while the skyline
is not too dense, it does allow buildings to soar and stand out. Kuala Lumpur
has three of the 25 tallest buildings worldwide, including the tallest twin
buildings, the Pretonos Towers (which are arguably the second and third tallest
overall in the world) as well as the 420 meters Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower.
Metro/Urban Population: 1.5 million
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
What was a tiny fishing village on the border of Hong Kong in 1970 is now a
buzzing metropolis of over four million people. With 13 buildings at over 200
meters tall, including the Shun Hing Square (the 8th tallest building in the
world), Shenzen is a marvel of lights after sunset. You can't help but ask
yourself if you are in a video game or in a real city.
Metro/Urban Population: 4.2 million
Shenzhen, China
This city's skyscrapers are divided into many clusters, spread amongst the main
businesses and residential districts. Most of the recent growth in Seoul's
skyline, however, has been of residential towers over 60 storeys high that are
shooting up like blades of grass! There are 10 buildings in Seoul over 200
meters tall and much of the mid-rise to high-rise structures are lined up in a
linear fashion, creating a "wall" of buildings like no other. Seoul is where the
ancient Eastern world meets the modern West.
Metro/Urban Population: 20.8 million
Seoul, South Korea
"What building did you say they lived in?" Finding it in the largest mass of
condensed apartment buildings anywhere would be like finding a needle in a
haystack. Sao Paolo has a population of over 18 million people! While the
buildings are not super tall (with only a single structure at over 200 meters
tall) this skyline is nevertheless stacked. Sao Paolo has a fleet of over 500
helicopters, the second largest helicopter fleet in the world.
Metro/Urban Population: 18.3 million
Sao Paolo, Brazil
Australia's showcase city, Sydney has one of the most recognizable skylines due
to its world-famous harbour, often referred to as the most beautiful natural
harbour in the world. The Sydney Harbour has many bays, inlets and secondary
harbours. It is spanned by the monumental Harbour Bridge, and the Opera House
decorates the shoreline like a white flower. The Sydney skyline is world-class
with hundreds of skyscrapers in the central business district and many more
high-rise buildings in the outlying neighbourhoods. Sydney has 8 buildings over
200 meters tall.
Metro/Urban Population: 4.2 million
Sydney, Australia
Certainly one of Europe's most interesting cities in terms of skylines,
Frankfurt is home to five structures that are over 200 meters tall. These modern
skyscrapers are marvels compared to those other, mostly non-existent ones
scattered across European cities. The contrast here is interesting: The city
combines low-rise, high-density traditional European architecture (some of which
is over 1,000 years old), with modern towers that stick out like sore thumbs,
but are impressive nonetheless.
Metro/Urban Population: 4.1 million
Frankfurt, Germany
Is this a mirage in the Middle East? Seemingly out of nowhere emerges a city in
the middle of a desert. This is Dubai, a city that produces only the best modern
architecture in the world. Already home of the world's tallest all-hotel
building and the tallest all-residential building in the world, AND currently
proposed to build the world's tallest building, this skyline might just leap to
the number 1 spot in the near future. While the skyline is not so dense, each
building is a marvel all on its own. As a skyline it probably can't compete with
the larger cities, however the individual buildings in this city are by far the
greatest examples of modern architectural accomplishments. All seven structures
in this city at over 200 meters tall were built in 1999 or later ! - that's how
new this city is.
Metro/Urban Population: 1.6 million
Dubai, United Arab, Emirates
Metro/Urban Population: 4.1 million
Guangzhou, China
See Also:
The World's
Largest Everything
From the largest church to the largest airplane -
take a look!!
Lexiaguo - An Amazingly Colorful Place in China
The beauty of this place need to be experienced. It
is not in the normal Tourist Promoted areas. Enjoy the scenery!
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