1. Hong Kong, China
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
2. Chicago, USA
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
3. Shanghai, China
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
4. New York City, USA
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
5. Tokyo, Japan
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
6. Singapore
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
7. Toronto, Canada
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
8. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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
9. Shenzhen, China
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
10. Seoul, South Korea
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
11. Sao Paolo, Brazil
"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
12. Sydney, Australia
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
13. Frankfurt, Germany
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
14. Dubai, United Arab, Emirates
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
15. Guangzhou, China
Metro/Urban Population: 4.1 million
Guangzhou, China
