I.M. Pei's Bank of China Tower on the left | Hong Kong skyline & architecture

Hong Kong’s Bank of China Tower

People love International Financial Centre (IFC), but the skyscraper that stands out the most for me is the Hong Kong’s Bank of China Tower (78 stories). It’s an architectural wonder.

Hong Kong’s Bank of China Tower history

American-born Chinese architect Ieoh Ming Pei (aka IM Pei, or Bei Yuming) designed it. Pei is best known for the modernization of the Louvre museum in Paris, France. He also did the John F. Kennedy Library and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. In NYC, he did the Jacob Javits Center.

The BoC Tower skyscraper might be the most recognizable skyscraper in Central, Hong Kong. When it was completed, it was the tallest building in Hong Kong, the tallest in Asia, and the tallest outside the United States.

It was the first building outside the United States to break the 1,000 foot mark. The BOC also has two masts reaching 1,200 feet high.

I.M. Pei designed Hong Kong's Bank of China Tower on the left | Hong Kong skyline & architecture
I.M. Pei’s Bank of China Tower on the left

The Bank of China Tower (BOC) is now the fourth tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong, after International Commerce CentreTwo International Finance Centre and Central Plaza.

It’s 72 stories high. The design resembles growing bamboo shoots, according to Pei. This supposedly symbolizes livelihood and prosperity.

Video gamers – you may recognize it from Sim City 3000 and Sim City 4.

BoC New Year’s Eve

Check out the skyline on New Year’s Eve. It’s awesome! The BoC building lights up in cool designs. The IFC shoots fireworks from the side. Hong Kong is one of the top NYE fireworks displays in the world! Perhaps only Taiwan and Sydney rival it.

Hong Kong Bank of China Tower skyline on New Year's Eve

Best New Year’s Eve photos from around the world

Best skyline in the world?

Where’s your favorite skyline in the world? I live in New York, so I appreciate skylines that have particularly unique features.

One of my other favorite buildings I’ve come across was the Bahrain WTC, with wind turbines integrated between twin towers.

What do you think? Join the convo, and add your comments here :)