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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
