Canton Tower

Overview

Canton Tower (广州塔) is a 604-metre supertall structure on the south bank of the Pearl River, making it the tallest tower in China and the fourth-tallest freestanding structure on Earth. Completed in 2010 for the Asian Games, its hyperboloid lattice design by Mark Hemel and Barbara Kuit twists elegantly against the Guangzhou skyline.

Highlights

• Observation Decks: Multiple levels including an open-air 488m skywalk — the world's highest outdoor observation platform.
• Sky Drop & Bubble Tram: A freefall ride at 460m and a horizontal Ferris wheel that circles the tower's crown.
• Night Illumination: The tower's LED facade produces a dazzling light show visible across the Pearl River Delta every evening.

History

Designed by Amsterdam-based Information Based Architecture and structurally engineered by Arup, the tower broke ground in 2005 and was inaugurated on 29 September 2010. It served as the broadcast tower for the 16th Asian Games.

Visitor Tips

• Best Time: Visit 30 minutes before sunset for daylight views that transition into night skyline panoramas.
• Tickets: Book online to skip queues; the 488 Skywalk requires a separate premium ticket.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours.