Most Beautiful Skyline in Hong Kong

While it is absolutely amazing during the day the, Hong Kong Skyline Night is an incredibly vibrant sight during the night making it one of the city’s primary attractions for tourists from around the world. What’s more, the government limited the height of the buildings in the city so whether you’re on the island, Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui or the Hong Kong Harbor, you will always be able to see the mountains in the backdrop. While you cannot enjoy the splendid views from all the buildings in the city, there are some which offer the best of the panorama of the landscape around.

Here are the must-visit buildings in the Hong Kong Skyline.

Standing tall at 484 meters, the International Commerce Centre (ICC) is a record-setting skyscraper in the Hong Kong Skyline and a major tourist attraction in the city. Being the tallest building means it can take everything to new heights! The ICC features the world’s highest hotel, the world’s highest swimming pool and Hong Kong’s tallest observation deck. The 118 floors of the building are mostly given out to office spaces and the top 16 floors have been taken up by the Ritz Carlton hotel.

There are a number of tourist attractions in the building that will keep all visitors amazed throughout the day. The Elements Mall which occupies the bottom floors is one of the most luxurious malls in the city which is connected to the rest of China via bullet train. If you’re looking for a view of the Hong Kong from the highest point in the city, head to the Sky 100 observation deck. The ticket price is 188 HKD and the floor is open till 10 pm. The 101 and 102^nd floors have the best restaurants in the building that are a must-try. The best feature of the building is the Symphony of Light, laser light show with music that is a dazzling display visible from everywhere in the city.

Getting to the ICC is easiest with the MTS subway transportation. Take the subway from anywhere to the West Kowloon HSR station and Exit B to get to the building.

Also known as the HSBC Tower, this structure is a beloved building of the city due to some of its interesting facts. Built in 1986 by Normal Foster who was a celebrity architect, it was the most expensive building in the world with a price tag of $650 million. The building only has 52 floors but was the first of its kind to be built completely out of structural steel without the use of reinforced concrete in its core. What also made it unique is due to the constraints on overnight construction in the city and the urgency of the project; the building was built as modular segments elsewhere and assembled on the spot. As a result, it has a very futuristic interlocking appearance which is intriguing to anyone who sees it for the first time.

What’s just as interesting is the array of mirrors on the building that reflects natural light into the building to improve lighting and temperature control. A natural hollow atrium inside the building also serves the ventilation purpose and allows you to look through the structure. The ground floor is home to Stephen and Stitt the HSBC lions that were taken away during World War 2 to be melted down. They were located in an Osaka scrapheap and brought back to Hong Kong where they sit today and still bear the scars of bullet and shrapnel. It is considered lucky to rub the paws of the lions. To get to the building take the MTR and get off at the Central Station and take Exit K.

The Bank of China Tower is the highly geometric, prism-like building that catches the eye of anyone gazing the Hong Kong Skyline. At 367.4 meters, it’s the 36^th tallest building in the world and has 70 floors. Its unusual shape and lighting caused much controversy as the building’s aesthetics don’t conform to the traditional Chinese “Feng Shui” system which dictates the best architectural styles for prosperity. After a fix, it became one of the city’s most iconic buildings. Its array of mirrors contorts light throughout the skyline as the building participates passively in the Symphony of Lights show every evening.

Although the public observation deck on the 43^rd floor has been closed to visitors since 2014, the building is still highly popular among tourists for its unique design. The brightly lit triangular framework is designed to withstand earthquakes while also being very catchy in design. On tourist visits, it’s an awe-inspiring sight to see the city’s tallest building all close to each other.

To get to the building take the MTR Central Station and J2 exit. Go through Chater Garden and continue towards Garden Road.

The International Finance Centre or IFC2 skyscraper used to be the tallest until it was surpassed by the International Commerce Centre in Kowloon across the water. Standing 420 meters tall, the building dominates the Hong Kong Skyline on the island. Towering over the business district, the IFC2 stands on the shore of the Hong Kong Harbor where it still continues to be the tallest building on Hong Kong Island. The 88 floors of the skyscraper mostly house Hong Kong’s banking and finance industry while the lowers floors are home to shops of the IFC mall.

If this building ever seemed too familiar it’s because it has been featured in many blockbuster movies such as Batman-The Dark Knight and Lara Croft Tomb Raider. While the building looks amazing from the outside, it offers splendid panoramic views of the Kowloon skyline and the Hong Kong Harbor. The viewing platform on the 55^th floor is the highly recommended and entry to it free, however, it can be closed for maintenance so call ahead to confirm before you visit. The restaurants at the IFC2 mall are a great place to grab something to eat as they serve some of the best cuisines in the area.

The building is connected to both the Hong Kong Station and Central MTR Station. Since Hong Kong Station is the primary hub to the Airport, it is served by the Airport Express.

5.Central plaza

The Central Plaza is the third tallest building in the Hong Kong Skyline after the ICC and the IFC2. The building is 374 meters tall and has 78 floors out of which 57 are office floors; there are 11 mechanical plant floors and one sky lobby. The building has a truncated triangular floor plan with a pyramid finish on top. The most special feature of the tower is the neon clock on the top of the building which shows the time at 15-minute intervals by displaying different colors. What’s also special is that the skyscraper also has the highest church in the world; the Sky City Church. The building mostly isn’t intended as a tourist destination; however, it does allow visitors to go up to the 46^th floor for a view of the city and the green of the peak. To go to the viewing deck, take the elevator from the main lobby to the 46^th floor. Avoiding going late at night at the building shuts down around 8 pm.

To go to the Central Plaza, get to the MTR Chai Station and take the Exit A5. Walk on the footbridge and continue walking until you reach the lobby.

While the skyscrapers themselves are great places to view the Hong Kong Skyline, there are numerous other vantage points to get the best view and even the Hong Kong Skyline Night shots that are sure to be social media material.

While being a part of the skyline itself, Victoria Peak is also considered one of the best places to enjoy the Hong Kong Skyline. At an elevation of 552 meters, the Victoria Peak which is a part of the landscape surrounding the city is the highest mountain on the Hong Kong Island. The top of the peak offers unparalleled views of the Skyline and is visited by millions of tourists every year. To get to the top of the peak you can either take the Peak Tram, the bus or walk along many of the trails that lead through the dense vegetation to the peak. The mountain is also home to some of the most expensive real estate residencies in the world.

At the top of the mountain, there is a mall and a peaked tower with an observation platform at the Sky Terrace that costs 48 HKD. There’s even a free public park which offers some great views but the restaurants are a bit pricey. The tram ride takes 8-10 minutes to get to the top. There is also the Bus 15 which goes to the top and takes a bit longer to get there. Taxis can also be taken to the peak and it takes about 14 minutes. September to December when the weather is clear is the perfect time to visit the peak.

Rated as one of the most enjoyable things to do in Hong Kong, the Star Ferry has been operating in the Victoria Harbor since 1888. The 11-minute scenic voyage is filled with sweeping views of the city skyline, cool breeze, and rocking waves. The journey is about 1km long, between the Tsim Sha Tsui and Central Star Ferry Pier. Another route ferries between Wan Chai Star Ferry Pier to Tsim Sha Tsui. In total, the fleet consists of 12 ferries that operate between the two harbors. Of the two routes, the Central to Tsim Sha Tsui route gets the best reviews as the journey offers fantastic views of the harbor and the two ICC and IFC skyscrapers framing it on either side. What makes it fantastic is the evening ferry watching the sunset over the Lantau Island and the bright lights of the ICC displaying catchy graphics on the skyscraper.

Although the journey is great throughout the day, the best is seen at sunset and after 8 pm when the Symphony of Lights starts. To get to Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry, you can either take the direct busses 6 and 7. Getting there Via MTR, get off at Tsim Sha Tsui Station and walk from there. The lower deck on the ferries are more enjoyable as you’re close to the waves and have clearer views.

The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade is regarded by many locals and tourists as the best place to view the Hong Kong Skyline. Especially the Avenue of Stars which is an improved shoreline that offers the best views of the skyline along with the Victoria Peak in the background. While it’s a great place to spend time, you can also get refreshments while you’re at it. Its location puts it at the ideal spot to view not only the skyline but also the Symphony of Lights making it the best highlight of the Victoria Harbor Shoreline. The Avenue of Stars which newly opened in 2019 is 457 meters has the Plaques of about 107 actors and goes in front of the Museum of Art and Space Museum. It has more shade, seats, plants and water fountains to make it convenient for the visitors.

To get to the Avenue of Stars, you can take the public bus routes 1,2,6,7,8A and 9 and get off at the Star Ferry bus stop. There are also taxis available from the West Kowloon HSR Station that get to the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry in less than 6 minutes.

On your visit to the International Commerce Centre, the Sky100 observation deck offers the highest indoor observation point of the Hong Kong Skyline. Located on the 100^th floor of the city’s tallest building, this observation offers 360-degree views of Hong Kong and Victoria Harbor. The Sky100 isn’t only an observation point for the tourists but also features an interactive multimedia story wall for the visitors to learn about the anecdotes and local perspectives of Hong Kong and its history. You can also try out the virtual reality flying experience which takes you out of the deck with some incredible views of the surroundings.

To make your visit a lot easier and fun, you can download the mobile app which helps you navigate, take themed photos, time-lapses and even get discount coupons. To complete your visit with some of the best foods you can treat yourself with, try out the Cafe 100 by The Ritz-Carlton while you enjoy the incredible views. To take back something more along with your memories and pictures, try the Gift Shop which sells a number of Hong Kong themes Merchandise.

To get to the Sky100, get off at the MTR Kowloon Station and take Exits C1 and D1. Enter through the Elements Shopping Mall and take the elevator to the Sky100. The double-decker lift that operates here is a fun ride and takes you from the second floor to the hundredth in 60 seconds!

Although the Hong Kong Skyline is amazing to look at throughout the day and all the seasons, there are different times of the year, where depending on the weather and time of the day, the skyline takes on a different personality. To most people the skyline looks best between the months of October to February when the sky is clear and you can enjoy the city in the backdrop of the blue sky. It is between autumn and winter and the skies are mostly clear with little chances of rain or hurricane. It’s the rainy season between the months of March to September so you can expect the skyline to be shrouded in a floating layer of low clouds or mist. This, however, is still an incredible sight to behold as the clouds disperse the lights of the city to create its own effect. The Hong Kong Skyline Night has a dazzling effect as the city’s light show after 8 pm floods the skyline with a symphony of lights in the Victoria Harbor.

Hong Kong is world-renowned for its skyline with over 1500 buildings that are taller than 100 meters. Having some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world and great vantage points to view the skyline, it’s sure to be an incredible experience.