Best City Skylines in Asia

The last century has resulted in a dramatic transformation of skylines in Asia as the explosion of the population has forced urban planners to build upwards to make the most efficient use of land.

We all know what some of the tallest buildings in the world are, but do they make up the region’s best skylines?

Not necessarily. According to Emporis, a research outfit which compiles data on real estate, the region's most beautiful skyline actually belongs to cities with not the highest, but the most number of, skyscrapers.

Not surprisingly, Chinese cities dominate the top ten in the list.

Click ahead to see where you can find the most breathtaking skylines in Asia.

By Geraldine Tan
Posted 18 Oct 2010

China's capital Beijing takes the 10th spot for the most beautiful skyline in Asia.

The city is not only the political seat of the communist country, but it is also the center of education and the arts since 1200s, giving the place a unique mix of ancient monuments and modern skyscrapers.

Shenzhen has been growing at a breakneck speed, with annual GDP growth at times surpassing 40 percent since it was earmarked as a Special Economic Zone in China in 1980.

The Chinese city is currently constructing what would be the world's second tallest building — the Pingan International Finance Centre. The structure will stand at 646 meters when completed in 2015, still shy of Dubai's 828-meter tall Burj Khalifa.

But its dizzying growth has also hurt the city, which is plagued by persistent smog, marring the view of its beautiful skyline.

Chongqing, located in Southwest China, is a city that's perched on steep hills that overlook the confluence of the Jialing River and the Yangtze River.

Bicycles are a rare sight as the city's hilly landscape makes riding, literally, an uphill challenge. Another interesting fact about Chongqing — honking has been outlawed in order to cut down on noise pollution.

For tourists hoping to see its skyline, prepare to be disappointed. The city has been nicknamed "Fog Capital" as its rapid industrial development has resulted in terrible air pollution.

Situated along the coast of the South China Sea, Guangzhou, also called the "City of Flowers" with floral blossoms in bloom all year round, is a key transportation hub and trading port in China.

The 391-meter, or 80-storey high CITIC Plaza is currently the city's tallest building. But come 2016, the tower will be eclipsed by the 530-meter tall Chow Tai Fook Centre.

Thailand's capital Bangkok has been called the "Venice of the East", due to the many Khlongs, or canals, which run throughout the city.

The landscape offers visitors a unique glimpse into how it has transformed in the last two centuries of rapid development since its founding in 1782 by King Rama I.

The best way to enjoy this city's skyline is to take a cruise on the Chao Praya river. But for an unbeatable aerial view of Bangkok, head to the top of the Dome at State Tower.

Tokyo, one of the largest cities of the world with a population of over 12 million, is home to the 5th most beautiful skyline in Asia.

Although the Japan's capital has been voted the most expensive city for expatriate employees, tourists can enjoy its skyline for free.

For a chance to catch a glimpse of the majestic Mt. Fuji, head to either the North or South Tower of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories.

Shanghai is the largest metropolis in China. The city, located along the coast of the East China Sea, it is recognized the world over for its iconic architectural symbol - the Bund - which line the Huangpu River.

While building heights are restricted along the Bund, towering skyscrapers have sprouted up on the opposite side of the river in the city's emergence as one of the country's largest and most prosperous city.

The Shanghai World Financial Centre currently peaks the skyline at 492 meters but come 2014, the honor of tallest building in China will go to the 632-meter tall Shanghai Tower.

South Korea's capital Seoul is the most densely populated metropolitan area in the OECD, yet it has managed to find a balance where modern skyscrapers and historical sites co-exist in harmony.

Mount Namsan, a 262-meter peak in the center of the city, breaks up the concrete jungle that's defined the city while offering visitors a panoramic view.

Picturesque as it is, the mountain has also set a limit on building heights in order to maintain this line of sight.

Singapore, a tiny state in Southeast Asia, is one of the cleanest and greenest cities you'll ever come across.

The city-state offers is an eclectic mix of old and new — its riverfront is lined with carefully restored old shophouses built in the 1800s, juxtaposed against the skyscrapers shooting up from its central business district.

For an unparalleled view of its skyline, take a ride on the Singapore Flyer or head to Marina Bay Sands' newly opened Skypark. The latter is an architectural feat in itself, as the park, which is perched 191-meters above ground, is the world's largest public cantilevered platform.

The city with the most beautiful skyline in the world can be found in the "Pearl of the Orient", Hong Kong.

The city, a special administrative region of China, is also where you can find the most high-rise buildings in the world — over 7,600 of them.

It also has the honor of being the world's most vertical city, where there are more people living or working above the 14th floor than anywhere else on earth.

Savor this killer view by either taking a cruise along the Victoria Harbor or a tram ride up the Victoria Peak.