Guangzhou · 广州 · Guangdong
A city where the skyline speaks in steel
An ancient port on the Pearl River has grown into a metropolis of global significance. Today its silhouette is shaped by towers designed by the world's leading architectural firms.
Permanent municipal population, estimate as of November 1, 2025.
Chapter 01 — Profile
Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong Province and one of the oldest cities in China.
For centuries, Guangzhou served as a major gateway for trade between China and the wider world. Tea, silk, and porcelain moved through its port, connecting merchants across Asia and Europe. Under the Canton System (1757–1842), the city became the principal regulated center of China's trade with Western merchants.
At the end of the twentieth century, Guangzhou was granted open economic city status and, within a single generation, grew into a financial center of global significance. Together with Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Foshan, it forms the Pearl River Delta — one of the largest metropolitan areas on the planet.
Guangzhou's high-rise architecture developed across several business clusters. CITIC Plaza became one of the symbols of the early development of the Tianhe CBD. Later, on the northern bank of the Pearl River, the modern silhouette of Zhujiang New Town took shape, anchored by Guangzhou IFC, CTF Finance Centre, and Pearl River Tower. On the opposite, southern bank rises Canton Tower — an independent architectural landmark of the Haizhu district.
Chapter 02 — Catalog
A selection of five of the city's most recognized high-rise landmarks. This is not an exhaustive registry nor a ranking of the tallest buildings — for complete statistics, refer to the "Figures" section and The Skyscraper Center.
Found: 5 of 5
A hyperboloid observation tower in the Haizhu district, on the southern bank of the Pearl River, opposite the Zhujiang New Town business district. Architectural concept by Information Based Architecture; engineering design by Arup.
600m 2010
A mixed-use tower in the Zhujiang New Town business district. Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF). The facade combines glazing with terracotta elements. Upon completion in 2016, Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre ranked fifth among the tallest completed buildings in the world.
530m 2016
A skyscraper with a triangular floor plan in Zhujiang New Town, also known as West Tower. Architect: Wilkinson Eyre, completed in 2010. Mixed-use complex: office spaces and the Four Seasons Hotel.
438.6m 2010An office building in the Tianhe district, within the historic core of the Tianhe CBD. Upon completion in 1997, it was one of the tallest buildings in Asia and retains significance as part of the early wave of supertall construction in Guangzhou.
390.2m 1997
An experimental office building in Zhujiang New Town by SOM. The project belongs to the sustainable skyscraper movement and is often cited among examples of sustainable architecture in Asia.
309.6m 2013Chapter 03 — Figures
The figures below refer to the entire city based on the open database of The Skyscraper Center, verified in October 2026. Telecommunication towers are not included in the building count.
69
Buildings 200 m+
Across the entire city, according to The Skyscraper Center as of October 2026.
14
Buildings 300 m+
Across the entire city, according to The Skyscraper Center as of October 2026.
2
Buildings 400 m+
CTF Finance Centre and Guangzhou IFC. Telecommunication towers are not included.
530m
Tallest Building
Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre. Canton Tower is taller (600 m) but is classified as a telecommunication tower.
A comparison of selected skyscrapers. This is not a complete ranking of the city's high-rise buildings.
Chapter 04 — District
A business district designed under a unified master plan on former agricultural land east of old Guangzhou.
The district is designed under a unified master plan as a combination of business quarters, residential complexes, retail, and cultural venues. The district's central axis is a public space opening onto the Pearl River.
The district is served by several metro lines and expressways. Connections to Baiyun Airport and other cities in the delta are provided through the metropolitan area's unified transportation network.
It hosts the headquarters of banks, insurance companies, and IT corporations, alongside residential quarters, hotels, shopping centers, and cultural venues.
Chapter 05 — Other Cities