The Top 7 Cities with the Most Skyscrapers in the World

There are several reasons for building vertical cities, including lower costs and more efficiency. Skyscrapers allow more people to live and work in city centers, and for cities that lack horizontal space, the only way to go is up. American cities began developing taller buildings in the 1870s when they saw exponential economic growth after the Civil War. For places like China, skyscrapers make more sense, as there is limited land space and a significant population. Discover the top seven cities with the most skyscrapers in the world and learn just how tall they are and what they’re used for. 

1. Hong Kong – China

With over 9,000 high-rise buildings, Hong Kong has more than 4,000 buildings taller than 328 feet and 552 buildings above 492 feet. The city and special administrative region of China known as Hong Kong, has more skyscrapers than any other city in the world. The tallest building in the city is the International Commerce Centre, which stands at 1,588 feet. It is the 8th tallest building in China and the 12th tallest in the world. The tower is a tourist attraction that attracts people for its spectacular views and nearby malls, hotels, and restaurants.  

2. Shenzhen – China

Located in Guangdong, China, Shenzhen is a Special Economic Zone and a major city with 376 skyscrapers, of which at least 120 are more than 656 feet tall. With 115 stories and a height of 1,965 feet, the Ping An Finance Centre is the tallest building in Shenzhen, the second-tallest in China, and the fifth-tallest in the world. This iconic building is home to one of the top-ranked insurance brands. 

3. New York – United States

The beautiful city of New York has the largest population of any city in America and contains more than 7,000 high-rise buildings taller than 115 feet, of which more than 100 buildings are more than 650 feet tall, and 314 are taller than 492 feet. The One World Trade Center is the tallest building in New York, which is 1,776 feet tall and is home to the state’s biggest media and tech innovators.

4. Dubai – United Arab Emirates

As the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai has many enormous and modern high-rise buildings. Dubai contains 252 skyscrapers that reach at least 492 feet and at least 108 that stand more than 591 feet. The Burj Khalifa building is the tallest man-made structure in the world, featuring a height of 2,717 feet. The building houses a variety of hospitality, residential, and commercial ventures, including a hotel, apartments, restaurants, and observation decks.

5. Guangzhou – China

Guangzhou is the largest city and capital of Guangdong, China, and also contains one of the highest concentrations of skyscrapers. Guangzhou has 188 buildings taller than 492 feet, including 11 supertalls measuring more than 1,000 feet. The Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre is the tallest building in the city, standing at 1,740 feet. It is the third-tallest in China and the seventh-tallest on Earth. The city also contains Canton Tower, a man-made structure that reaches 2,000 feet tall. 

6. Shanghai – China

As a multinational center for business, Shanghai is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world in terms of skyscraper construction. The city currently has 183 buildings taller than 492 feet and at least five that are more than 1,000 feet tall. The Shanghai Tower is 2,073 feet tall and is the tallest building in China, the third-tallest in the world, and the tallest twisted tower on Earth. Not only is the tower an architectural masterpiece, but it also provides a space for living, working, and recreation, accommodating around 16,000 people at a time. 

7. Tokyo – Japan

The city of Tokyo is the most populous out of Japan’s 47 prefectures. Tokyo contains 168 buildings that stand taller than 492 feet and at least 53 that reach more than 614 feet. The tallest building, and Tokyo’s only supertall skyscraper, is the Azabudai Hill Mori JP Tower, which stands a little more than 1,000 feet tall. However, the tallest structure in the city is the Tokyo Skytree, which rises 2,080 feet above the ground. It is also the tallest structure in Japan and the third-tallest freestanding structure in the world.

A Recap of the Top 7 Cities With the Most Skyscrapers in the World