top skylines of the world

[sameer]

Top 15 Skylines of The World v 4.0 (Actually Top 30)

All my years in studying Urban Planning helped me grow a greater appreciation for the dense downtown skyline of the big city. The downtown core of big cities across the world, are the cultural pulse and economic engines of urban regions where millions of people live. All urban "life" begins and ends, each day and night under the watch of the city's tallest skyscrapers and most grand architectural structures. So kick back and appreciate the view that they have to offer...

#1) Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong is number one on my list for many reasons: Hong Kong has a whopping 43 buildings over 200 metres tall, 30 of which were built in the year 2000 or later!!! 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 the greatest on the planet!
Metro/Urban Population: 6.9 million
Skyline Improvement Rank

Click here if you are still in doubt of my choice (make sure you scroll),,, you will not doubt again!
(Note: Not My Pic)

Hong Kong Skyline Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#2) Chicago, USA
After the 1871 Great Fire of Chicago leveled the entire city, 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. This is the birthplace of the modern skyscraper. Chicago has 19 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: 9.5 million
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Chicago Skyline Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#3) 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 47 buildings over 200 meters - the most in the world! The four tallest buildings in NYC were all built in the early 1930s! 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.
Metro/Urban Population: 21.0 million
Skyline Improvement Rank Lower Manhattan, NYC Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#4) 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 25 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
Skyline Improvement Rank Pudong In The Morning, Shanghai, China Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#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 metres 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
Skyline Improvement Rank Mount Fuji and Tokyo City Skyline Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#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 metres 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 metres 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
Skyline Improvement Rank Singapore Skyline, Singapore, Asia Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#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 metre, CN Tower, which is often referred to as the tallest free-standing structure in the world. The CN Tower possess the world's highest observation deck, making this city's skyline one of the most immediately identifiable.
Metro/Urban Population: 5.1 million
Skyline Improvement Rank Ontario Skyline, Toronto, Canada Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#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 Petronas Towers (which are arguably the second and third tallest overall in the world) as well as the 420 metre Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower.
Metro/Urban Population: 1.6 million
Skyline Improvement Rank Petronas Towers In Night City Skyline Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#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 18 buildings at over 200 meters tall, including the Shun Hing Square (the 8th tallest building in the world), Shenzen is a spectacle of lights and neo signs after sunset, you can’t help but ask yourself if you are in a video game or in a real city. Metro/Urban Population: 6.2 million
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View Over City Center, Shenzhen, China Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#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
Skyline Improvement Rank Cityscape At Night, Seoul, South Korea Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#11) Sao Paulo, 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
Skyline Improvement Rank

A sea of buildings in Sao Paulo 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 and inlets. It is spanned by the monumental Harbour Bridge, and the Opera House sites on 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 metres tall.
Metro/Urban Population: 4.2 million
Skyline Improvement Rank A view across Sydney Harbour Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#13) Dubai, United Emirates of Arab 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 2nd 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 ultra-modern 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 18 structures in this city at over 200 metres tall were built after 1999 - that's how new this city is!
Metro/Urban Population: 1.4 million
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Skyline With Flowers In Foreground, Dubai Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#14) Frankfurt, Germany Certainly one of Europe's most interesting cities in terms of skylines, Frankfurt is home to five structures that are over 200 metres 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 (region)

Skyline Improvement Rank Barge on Water & Skyline, Frankfurt, Germany Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#15) Seattle, USA Seattle is the commercial, cultural and advanced technology hub of the Northwest USA and a major port city for Pacific and European trade. Home 4 buildings over 200m and the famous 184m Space Needle observation tower, Seattle is surrounded by mountains and water and offers some picture-perfect views. Seattle is commonly referred to as the Emerald City and renowned as a great social and corporate city with great planning.
Metro/Urban Population: 3.6 million

Skyline Improvement Rank Space Needle and Seattle Buy This Photo/Poster Now Honorable Mentions

#16) Pittsburgh, USA Although Pittsburgh only has two buildings over 200m tall, its skyline is very impressive nonetheless. Pittsburgh has nicknames like the "city of bridges", "the Burgh" or the "golden triangle" which outlines its true characteristics. It is surround by three rivers and the CBD is shaped in a triangle and surrounded by golden color bridges. The city is also surrounded by hills and valley's giving access to great views of the city. The city has not had a major skyscraper raised since 1988, but good planning and a scenic surrounding region still makes it a great skyline.
Metro/Urban Population: 2.4 million

Skyline Improvement Rank Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#17) Guangzhou, China Guangzhou is a very modern city, yet it is called "the City of Flowers,” as each of its spectacular skyscrapers is surrounded by grand green spaces and flower beds. Although it only has six structures at over 200 metres tall, there are plenty of other high-rises, each displaying a design that stands out in its own respect. This includes the 391 metre, 80-floor, CITIC Plaza which appears transparent against the (usually) clear blue sky!
Metro/Urban Population: 4.1 million

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CBD of Guangzhou in China

#18) Dallas, USA The "Big D", is a major inland American city. The city and metropolitan area lies amidst vast, high, and varying rolling prairies - with hundreds of large & small lakes, rivers, creeks, waterways and meanders. But Dallas; downtown is the center of the Forth-Worth-Dallas Metro Region which is home to 5.9 million people. Dallas' skyline is home to 7 buildings over 200 meters and the 187m Reunion Tower which looks like huge sphere of light! The skyline is very distinctive at night as it building lighting is very colorful, particularly with lots of green.
Metro/Urban Population: 5.2 million

Skyline Improvement Rank Dallas, Texas Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#19) San Francisco, USA Although SF has a large population in outlying regions, "The City", itself is densely packed into a compact area of a peninsula. This makes it the second densest city in the USA, next to NYC. Another North American skyline with little recent development, but still home to the classic Transamerica Pyramid one of the three 200 plus metre towers in the city is an architectural classic.. The famous golden gate bridge and surrounding water and mountains makes this skyline dazzling from almost any angled it is looked at from.
Metro/Urban Population: 7.7 million

Skyline Improvement Rank Bay Bridge and Skyline at Night, SF, CA Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#20) Rio de Janeiro Its wonderful physical location gives Rio what is arguably the most beautiful setting of any city in the world. This cityscape contains both one natural wonder and one man made wonder of the world. Rio has few skyscrapers, but is very dense and flat and looks like a scatter of buildings in a valley (which it is what it is). the city can be view at from one of the many breathtaking angles from the apex of any of the surrounding rolling terrain.
Metro/Urban Population: 11.2 million

Skyline Improvement Rank The Statue Of Christ The Redeemer. Rio de Janeiro Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#21) Johannesburg, South Africa The "City of Gold". Johannesburg is the largest city in the world not built on or near a major water source. That alone makes it a phenomenon onto itself. The majority of the skyscrapers in the CBD are from the boom of the 70s and 80s. Three towers stand at over 200 meters and are the tallest and most grand structures in all of Africa. The city has promised to rejuvenate its CBD with more buildings, but the fact still remains that the nightlife, shopping and the culture is still very much alive. Because of the geography and topography, the city is also very "planned" in a grid iron fashion, which gives it a unique look.
Metro/Urban Population: 6.2 million

Skyline Improvement Rank Johannesburg City Centre Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#22) Houston, USA With 14 post-modern and individualistic skyscrapers over 200 meters, Houston is only beaten by the top 6 cities on this list in that category. Houston is built on a major port, but is interesting with its lack of zoning restrictions, thus allowing major skyscrapers to be built all over the city. In fact, the tallest building in the United States outside a major downtown is the Williams tower.
Metro/Urban Population: 5.2 million

Skyline Improvement Rank

Night Skyline, Houston, Texas Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#23) Melbourne, Australia This diverse, modern and multi-cultural city has many of Australia's tallest buildings, including the new 300m Eureka tower, just one of 8 buildings topping 200m. This city is constantly building new skyscrapers without compromising the essence of the city and its modern, organized and celebrated vibe. In a sense Melbourne is a newer, smaller Toronto, that is rapidly growing and joining the ranks of an internationally renowned, modern city.
Metro/Urban Population: 3.5 million

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Melbourne at Dusk Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#24) Las Vegas, USA In a way I wish I didn't have to include Vegas because it defies all the conventional rules of how city's evolves and what a city consists of. However, where else can you find Paris, London, Rome and the great pyramid in one city? The entertainment capital of the world and America's most visited city, Las Vegas. Where else? This the fastest growing area in the United States and "the strip" offers the most cool pieces of architecture, lighting extravaganza and entertainment simultaneously visible to the human eye. The structure over 200 meters is the Stratosphere, which is 351 meters tall, but Vegas also is home to 10 of the 10 largest hotels on earth!
Metro/Urban Population: 1.7 million

Skyline Improvement Rank

The Strip, Las Vegas Blvd Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#25) London, England London is city with a rich history. If this list was the greatest architectural cities or just the greatest cities, London would be near the top, without a doubt. However, because of the low-rise, dense structure of the city, it never really had a visible skyline. London bridge and the giant Ferris wheel made up the bulk of the skyline for the last decades. 7 of the tallest 10 structures in London have been built after the year 2000. The city now has a visible CBD and some very interesting sky-reaching architecture, such as the 30 Mart St Axe Tower. There are 3 buildings over 200 metres in London.
Metro/Urban Population: 11.8 million

Skyline Improvement Rank Thames River From London Bridge., Lon... Buy This Photo/Poster Now #26) Osaka, Japan One of the largest cities in the world, both in area and in population. Osaka is home to the famous and unique Umeda Sky Building. The city is a sea of high-rises in a nested maze of canals, spanning bridges, freeways and parks. Cruising in this city can be more confusing than surfing the web. With 2 buildings over 200 meters and plenty of other futuristic buildings and no real CBD, but rather a continuum of seemingly sporadic development, Osaka's skyline is very unique and interesting.

Metro/Urban Population: 14.3 million

Skyline Improvement Rank Osaka, Japan Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#27) Boston, USA Boston's skyline doesn't particularly stand out as special from a distant glance. However, Boston exhibits a really interesting blend of old and new architecture. The cityscape is highlighted by the distinctive, early twentieth-century buildings and post-modern business towers. The interesting features of the city include the harbour and with a series of juxtaposed buildings in the east side of the downtown. But the two tallest buildings are located several blocks away in the west side of the downtown. The ultra cool Leonard P Zakim-Bunker Hill Memorial "bridge" spans behind the skyline and serves as a backdrop. The city is the oldest American big city, but one of most youthful and vibrant, being home to the most colleges and prestigious Universities in the western world.

Metro/Urban Population: 5.6 million

Skyline Improvement Rank Faneuil Hall Marketplace & I93, Boston Buy From Art.com

#28) Panama City, Panama Near the Panama Canal - the only connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Panama City is without a doubt the most prominent skyline in Central America, Panama is a beautiful city with a shoreline of modern condo and hotel developments along the waterfront. The lovely setting makes this skyline a pleasure to look. Recently, Panama has made a conscious decision to allow much more development and there is talks that Panama City will become the Dubai of central American.

Metro/Urban Population: 700,000

Skyline Improvement Rank Fishing boats on the Bahia de Panama ... Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#29) Atlanta, USA
A reputation as a modern, progressive city that houses many corporate conglomerates. The skyline is truly unique, with 8 structures over 200 meters tall, stretching in a straight line along Peachtree Street. The tallest building in any suburb in America is in the nearby Sandy Springs. In fact Atlanta really has several skylines, which may all be seen together in various combinations from different vantage points. Atlanta maintains its Southern US flare, but continues to grow at a ridicules pace. It is an example of suburban sprawl gone wild. Although not an admirable characteristic for planners, the skyline is nonetheless indisputably something impressive. Metro/Urban Population: 5,200,000

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Atlanta, Georgia Buy This Photo/Poster Now

#30) Montreal, Canada
Don't be fooled by this city that only has one building over 200 metres tall. Montreal is a super dense city with European cultural flavour at street level, and corporate North American commerciality in the towers above. Variety, is a word that comes to mind when one thinks of Montreal. It is diverse both in terms of culture and architecturally. The island city is surround by water and has a mountain "Mount Royal", hence the name, looking over the city. The nightlife and the views in this city are exciting and vibrant to say the least.
Metro/Urban Population: 3.5 million
Skyline Improvement Rank Moonrise over the Montreal skyline Buy This Photo/Poster Now

[BadFingerBoogie]

repost

i forgot who it was someone had a very similar thread
might have been samosa

[IPunjabi.Blood]

Do you think India will ever make it?

[PuNjabi_RaNi*]

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

[TheVanityAffair]

Yes! #15

[Irreligious Left]

Wow. No love for L.A., huh?

[sweetest_sin]

#7 and #16
Pittsburgh really is beautifull...especially at night!

[Chinadoll]

I love the skyline in HK, so pretty

[PaiN infLictioN]

CHI TOWWWN!

[sameer]

the real question is... wheres jersey city?

[subaru]

thank you MONTREAL made the list...

i still think RIO DE JANEIRO is the best one of em all...its WOW!

[ZzoO]

#1

[ZzoO]

Originally Posted by PaiN infLictioN

CHI TOWWWN!

if our WTCs were still here we would beat chitown.. but yeah now u got it..

[PaiN infLictioN]

Originally Posted by ZzoO

#1

[nayeemx33]

There is no drama in your thread.
Whats wrong?
I'm worried about you

[PaiN infLictioN]

Originally Posted by ZzoO

if our WTCs were still here we would beat chitown.. but yeah now u got it..

hell nawww...we still woulda owned yall homie

[kwitcherbitchin]

Originally Posted by ZzoO

#1

haha, w3rd.

[ZzoO]

Originally Posted by PaiN infLictioN

hell nawww...we still woulda owned yall homie

well we cant prove it.. lets see how the freedom tower is then we ll see if it goes up in the ranks again

[dr_sinister1001]

T.o and Kuala Lumpur should be above Tokyo... Tokyo's skyline isn't very impressive at all. Otherwise I agree with the list.

[PaiN infLictioN]

Originally Posted by ZzoO

well we cant prove it.. lets see how the freedom tower is then we ll see if it goes up in the ranks again

u see when that tower right there in the middle gets completed....we gonna own everyone

BTW Beijing Review is the website...thats CHICAGO not Beijing for you slow ppl.

[ZzoO]

Originally Posted by PaiN infLictioN

u see when that tower right there in the middle gets completed....we gonna own everyone

BTW Beijing Review is the website...thats CHICAGO not Beijing for you slow ppl.

nice.. plans are final? they keep changing the ny ones..

[sameer]

Originally Posted by dr_sinister1001

T.o and Kuala Lumpur should be above Tokyo... Tokyo's skyline isn't very impressive at all. Otherwise I agree with the list.

although cn tower is bs.

[subaru]

Originally Posted by sameer

although cn tower is bs.

[PaiN infLictioN]

Originally Posted by ZzoO

nice.. plans are final? they keep changing the ny ones..

yup..its gonna be called the Aqua Tower, it wont be as tall as u see it there, but it will be just a few stories less than the Sears Tower.

[PaiN infLictioN]

Originally Posted by sameer

although cn tower is bs.

true....nothn but a giant architectural toothpick.