One of the most noticed skyscrapers along Hong Kong's skyline
Just a couple of minutes walk from HSBC building and Statue Square, on the corner of Queensway and Garden Road, Bank of China (BOC) Tower is one of the most distinguished landmarks along Hong Kong's skyline and can be noticed from almost every corner of Victoria Harbour and Tsim sha Tsui.
Designed by I.M. Pei, an internationally known Chinese-American architect, this architecturally enthralling giant is entirely supported by five steel modules, with zigzag frameworks that distribute the structure's weight between them and create all sorts of angles that make the skyscraper look different when viewed from different points around the city.
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In essence, BOC Tower is supposed to resemble growing bamboo shoots, which symbolize livelihood and wealth in Chinese tradition, but in reality the building's sharp corners and the large number of 'X' shapes on its surface are somewhat problematic, in terms of Feng Shui, and have resulted in some criticism from Feng Shui experts who tagged it as a "cleaver building"...
The biggest complaints came from the management of HSBC, who claimed that one of the sharp corners of BOC Tower points directly at HSBC Main Building and "slicing" the bank's good luck...
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Built in 1989, the 70 story skyscraper soars to a height of 315 m (1,034 feet), with two masts reaching 369 m (1,209 feet), and used to hold the title of "Asia's tallest building" until 1992. It was also the first building outside the United States to break the 305 m (1,000 foot) mark.
Visitors are free to take the lift to the small observation point on the 43rd floor (Facing Victoria Harbour), but visits to the main observation deck on the 70th floor are by appointment only.
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Other attractions and places of interest around Bank of China (BOC) Tower :
Statue Square
The Former Supreme Court Building
HSBC Hong Kong Headquarters Building
Hong Kong Planning and Infrastructure Exhibition Gallery
Hong Kong Park
Flagstaff House and the Museum of Tea Ware
Edward Youde Aviary
Bank of China (BOC) Tower is part of our suggested walking-tour:
Central
