Bank of China Tower
Bank of China Tower is one of Hong Kong’s most famous and recognizable high-rise buildings. The skyscraper has 70 floors, four levels of underground parking and rises 315 meters. Together with the spire, its height is 367.4 meters. The beautiful design and impressive size symbolize the growth and prosperity of the Chinese economy and emphasize the round-the-clock rhythm of life and the business image of the huge metropolis.
Video: Bank of China Tower
General Information
The Bank of China Tower was erected in 1989 and opened in May 1990. It was the first skyscraper taller than 305 meters to appear outside the United States. Until 1992, the tower held the palm as the tallest skyscraper in Asia and Hong Kong. Today, it ranks fourth among Hong Kong’s skyscrapers, 26th in Asia, and 32nd among the tallest buildings on the planet.
.The skyscraper has a spectacular futuristic appearance and is very popular among tourists and residents. To date, it is the only high-rise building in Hong Kong, the image of which can be seen in computer games. In addition, the Bank of China Tower has been featured in scenes from the movie “Battleship” and the popular sci-fi television series “Star Trek: Voyager.”
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For tourists, the building is open Monday through Saturday. Travelers can go up to the observation deck, which is located on the 43rd floor of the Bank of China Tower. It offers a breathtaking panoramic view of neighborhoods, the traffic-clogged streets of the multi-million dollar city and the sprawling Victoria Harbour.
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Features of the architecture
The Bank of China Tower was designed by Chinese-born and Guangzhou-born American architect Bei Yueming. Feng Shui is highly influential in China, so the architect had to redesign the original project to accommodate criticism from adherents of its principles.
The building was built over a period of 4 years and 4 months. The tower is a harmonious combination of modern architecture and traditional Chinese design, which is why many experts call it a “geometric work of art”. Its spectacular appearance and innovative engineering solutions have allowed the skyscraper to receive many awards and prizes both at home and abroad.
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Architecturally, the Bank of China Tower is similar to Chicago’s Willis Tower. The walls of the building are “stacked” of giant glass triangles framed by metal frames. Because of the shape and refraction of sunlight, the building resembles a huge sparkling crystal. This effect is even more intensified in the evenings, when the cells with tinted mirror glass begin to reflect bright electric light. The unusual multi-stage construction is not just for beauty. Thanks to it, the skyscraper can successfully resist typhoons.
.How to get there
The Bank of China Tower stands in Central Hong Kong, at 1 Garden Road. The skyscraper can be reached on foot from Central and Admiralty MTR stations. In addition, city buses No. 629s, 629, 962b, 962x, 967 make a stop near the tower.
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