HSBC Building
This building cost a whopping HK$5.2bn, making it the world’s priciest pile when it opened in 1985. The headquarters of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation are reputed to have some of the best feng shui around and enjoys unimpeded harbour views.
This one is also famous in feng shui circles. Its knife-like edges were the inspiration of American-Chinese master architect I. M. Pei. The 70-storey, 368-m (1,207-ft) stack of prisms opened in 1990. Its viewing platform is the natural place to go for a sweeping city perspective.
The suspension bridge stretches from Tsing Yi Island to Lantau, a mile and a half (2.2 km) long. A striking sight, especially when lit up at night, the bridge carries the road and rail links to Chek Lap Kok airport. It opened in May 1997, having taken five years to build at a cost of HK$7.14 bn. Take the MTR to Tsing Yi or catch an airport bus (but not the airport train) to view it.
The suspension bridge stretches from Tsing Yi Island to Lantau, a mile and a half (2.2 km) long. A striking sight, especially when lit up at night, the bridge carries the road and rail links to Chek Lap Kok airport. It opened in May 1997, having taken five years to build at a cost of HK$7.14 bn. Take the MTR to Tsing Yi or catch an airport bus (but not the airport train) to view it.
Hong Kong International Airport
Sir Norman Foster strikes again. Landing isn’t quite the thrill ride it was at the old airport in Kowloon, but the passenger terminal, which opened in July 1998, is impressive. The airport is constructed on a specially flattened island – Chek Lap Kok.
These knobbly megaliths look like they have koalas clinging to the sides – a reflection of the original antipodean owner, jailbird Alan Bond.
These knobbly megaliths look like they have koalas clinging to the sides – a reflection of the original antipodean owner, jailbird Alan Bond.
Cheung Kong Centre
Big, boxy and glassy, another one of Li’s babies. He lives on the top of this one. Note how it’s built perfectly parallel to the adjoining Bank of China for optimal feng shui.
Confusingly, this is in Wan Chai, not Central. The building has 78 storeys, two less than The Centre, but at 374 m (1,227 ft), it’s taller. Central Plaza is also the world’s tallest reinforced concrete building.
HK Convention and Exhibition Centre
Site of the official Handover ceremony in 1997, the Centre sprawls over a huge area over the harbour and was designed to resemble a bird in flight.