Canton Tower – A Symbol of Progress and Prosperity in Guangzhou

New York City has the Statue of Liberty, Paris has the Eiffel Tower, and Guangzhou has the Canton Tower. Let’s learn more about the Canton Tower and its importance to the city of Guangzhou.

Where is Guangzhou and the Canton Tower?

Guangzhou is a major industrial and commercial city located in the southeastern part of China. With a population of nearly 16 million recorded in 2019, Guangzhou is one of the most populous cities in the country. Guangzhou rose to importance for China as a port city in close proximity to both Shenzhen and Hong Kong, about 100 miles away.

These important commercial cities are all connected by the Pearl River, also known as the Zhu Jiang. This is the river that flows next to the Canton Tower and you can see it flowing in both directions.

The tower is located on Yuejiang Road West in the Haizhu District of Guangzhou, just south of Zhujiang New Town. From certain parts of this district, the tower is visible, especially at night. If you’d like to learn more about Zhujiang New Town, check out this blog post about the district I lived in for a year.

What is the Purpose of the Canton Tower?

The Canton Tower, originally called the Guangzhou TV Astronomical and Sightseeing Tower, has several purposes. Many of its original purposes are seen in the long name.

First, the tower was built by the Guangzhou New Television Tower Group for television transmissions. It also works for radio and mobile phone transmissions. The sightseeing part of the name indicates several additional functions of the tower. Keep reading to find out what is inside the tower.

Can You Go In the Canton Tower?

Of course you can! Even though I lived within viewing distance of the Canton Tower, I didn’t go up into the tower until a visit in 2017. I always looked to see if it was lit up at night but somehow never made an effort to check it out in person. A friend corrected my error in October of 2017 and I’m so happy he did.

The tower was a beacon I searched for at night when traveling about the city. Guangzhou is a huge city of millions of people and many different districts. If I could see the tower then I knew I could find a way to my apartment. Canton Tower was a symbol of safety for me.

Accessibility Features in the Tower

At the time of my visit I was walking with a cane. Canton Tower has assistance available for people using walking assistance tools like canes, walkers, or wheelchairs. You can check in with the Guest Services team for more information.

Beneath the Tower

While everyone usually looks up at the tower, there are also some major components of the complex located beneath it.

This is where you will find the metro (subway line), the bus station, and the parking section for cars and buses. Exhibition areas are here along with a food court and commercial mall shops. You can choose from two kinds of elevators; a slow-speed elevator perfect for enjoying the view and a high-speed one to get you up quickly.

What is In the Canton Tower?

This is not just a pretty structure that helps with transmissions. It is a true destination for both tourists and locals. There is so much to do and see here and I wish I had discovered it sooner. Let’s start with the views.

Observation Decks

Going up to one of the observation decks is a must-see to experience a bird’s-eye view of the city of Guangzhou. The indoor observation deck is 449 meters high and is shaped in an elliptical form. Pictures taken from here are amazing.

The view from the main observation platform was inspiring. To see this metropolis spread out before you was intense, especially when you realize this is just a part of the city. I recommend going just before sunset to see the changes in the city as it lights up in the night sky. If there’s one thing that China does very well, it is lighting up their cities at night.

The Rooftop Observatory

This observatory is 488 meters high and ruled the world as the highest and largest outdoor viewing deck for a few years. It surpassed the Burj Khalifa for the highest viewing deck. Then in late 2014, the Burj Khalifa took back its place as the highest observatory at 555 meters. No matter who actually holds the record, the views from the observatory are breath-taking.

Thrill Rides at the Top of Canton Tower

The Bubble Tram

The Bubble Tram is called a Ferris wheel, but it rotates mostly horizontally around the top of the tower at 460 meters high. Crystal clear “bubble cars” ride slowly around a track and takes 20 minutes to rotate around completely. This is called the perfect spot to propose to your loved one. If proposing is not on your mind, then experience a 360° view over this sprawling metropolis which lights up at night.

The Sky Drop

You can choose to either sit or stand for the free fall ride located outside of the tower. The drop is from 485 meters to 455 meters and will give thrill-seekers an amazing view of the city. Sky Drop holds a Guiness world-record for the “Highest Thrill Ride” and is waiting for you to experience the adrenaline-pumping ride of your life.

I will also wait for you and take pictures. Have fun.

Restaurants – Revolving and Stationary

• Twist Mediterranean Buffet Revolving Restaurant – This restaurant on the 106th floor is ranked as the “highest revolving restaurant in a building” by Guiness World Records. Enjoy the ever-changing view of the city while dining buffet style with plentiful Mediterranean foods to choose from.
• LUTECE French Revolving Restaurant  – On the 105th floor, this “revolving restaurant” is famous for fine and elegant dining. They pride themselves on presenting authentic French food with a flair for romanticism.
• Colour Canton – This restaurant offers fine dining and private rooms for their guests. Location the 103rd floor, this restaurant features a menu with traditional Cantonese food served with excellent service.
• Sky Bar – This is the highest restaurant in the tower and is on the 107th floor. They serve coffee, tea, and desserts and is an excellent place to unwind and enjoy the view.
• Chopstix – And if heights are not your favorite thing, then this restaurant offers traditional Cantonese dishes from the basement level. No elevators needed to try out some delicious food.

JinYi Cinema Sky Club

Using the latest audiovisual and immersive technology, this is the highest cinema in the city. Comfortable seating and the latest in sound and projection technology, this is the place to be for a top-notch cinema experience.

Shops and other Restaurants

China is a land of hard-working people offering goods and services to the world. They are industrious and you can be sure there is something available to purchase for everyone who visits.

Souvenir Shops – The perfect place to find a souvenir to remind you of your trip to the Canton Tower. Jewelry, kids toys, coloring books, pens and pencils, and tower models are available. This is where I purchased my commemorative tower.

Tower Galleria – Located on the first floor, this is called a collection of shops, restaurants, sightseeing, and leisure places to experience. I have included just a quick list of what is available for you. There are many more retail shops offering authentic and traditional Chinese products and services. There are also a few American-style favorites with tourists. Make sure to plan enough time to explore the area and see what is available to purchase.

• Starbucks
• McDonalds
• Wax Museum
• Jade and Stone Shop
• Dim Sum Restaurant
• Kodak location for fun pictures

Who Designed the Tower and How Was it Built?

The competition for designing the Canton Tower, officially known as the “Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower,” was held in 2003. The Guangzhou Municipal Government organized an international design competition to select the best design for the tower. It was intended to serve as a prominent landmark and a symbol of the city’s modernity and progress.

The competition drew the attention of architects and designers from all over the world, and many prominent architectural firms submitted their proposals. The Guangzhou government sought a design that would not only be aesthetically striking but also functional. It had to be capable of accommodating various facilities and attractions for visitors.

IBA Wins the Design Competition

Out of the numerous entries received, the proposal submitted by Information Based Architecture (IBA), a Dutch architectural firm, was selected as the winning design. The team, led by architects Mark Hemel and Barbara Kuit, collaborated with Chinese architect Su Jun to refine the design and oversee the construction of the tower.

IBA’s winning design for the Canton Tower was selected for its innovative and futuristic appearance, as well as its incorporation of various features and amenities that would make it a popular tourist destination. The tower’s unique double-helix structure and its use of advanced lighting and technology were particularly noteworthy aspects of the winning design.

Structure

The Canton Tower’s hyperboloid structure is based on the designs of a Russian engineer/architect by the name of Vladimir Shukhov. Ukraine has the Adziogol Lighthouse, designed by Shukhov in 1910, that looks similar in structure.

It consists of several twisted and curved segments, looking similar to a double-helix. This gives it a distinct appearance and creates the iconic structure that became part of the Guangzhou skyline.

How Long Did it Take to Construct?

Construction started in 2005 and the first part opened to the public in 2010. The initial building phase lasted 5 years, although the remaining features at the very top didn’t open until 2011.

Lighting

All the lighting in the tower uses LED technology. Lights do not shine ON the structure, but actually shine FROM the structure. This allows for some fantastic colorful displays and is part of the appeal of the brightly lit tower at night. Colors can be changed for certain holidays or important events, and the arrangements of the colors also change from swirling horizontally to vertically.

Opening of the Canton Tower to the Public

Although the tower wasn’t completed yet, it was opened to the public on October 1, 2010. This coincided with the Asian Games opening ceremonies held in Guangzhou in November of 2010. With a structure of this size and importance, the city officials wanted to show off their newest symbol of the city. What better way to do it than on an internationally televised sporting event.

The rooftop observatory opened a little more than a year later in December of 2011. At the time of opening it was the highest outdoor observation deck in the world.

What is Special About Canton Tower?

The Canton Tower is an imposing, elegant landmark that the people of Guangzhou are proud of. It also functions to help bring clear transmissions to this metropolis.

The tower represents something special to them and brings honor to their city. Let’s not forget it is just beautiful to look at too!

During the day the tower is a smoothly twisting metal structure, but it comes to life at night. The colors are changing and it’s always fun to glance toward the tower and see it shining brightly in the dark night sky. I remember my first view of it and I just smiled with delight. The Canton Tower was so much a memory of my time living in Guangzhou that I bought myself a souvenir when I visited in 2017.

Click here to see a photo gallery of images on the official website.

My Canton Tower Souvenir Security Scare

Think of Swarovski crystals and a rainbow of colors in this Canton Tower commemorative statue. But there was a slight problem trying to get this personal souvenir home.

Even though it was securely packed in my carry-on in a decorative and protective box with a certificate of authenticity, on the scanner it looked like a weapon. The security person asked me if I had a weapon in my bag and I looked confused.

Then she turned the screen toward me and pointed. It did look like some kind of sword or thick-handled pointed knife. The long antenna could have been a thin blade.

I started laughing and explained it was a statue of the Canton Tower and she was welcome to look. I unzipped my bag and showed her the storage box the tower was packed into and lifted the cover so she could see it was definitely not a weapon.

Being friendly and kind prevented me from being pulled from the line for a more intense search, and possibly missing my flight. Be nice to the security people and they will treat you fairly.

In Conclusion: The Canton Tower as a Symbol of Guangzhou

Just as other landmarks have come to represent their own city, the Canton Tower is now recognized as the symbol of Guangzhou. Soaring 604 meters, or 1,982 feet, this elegant tower is now a part of the Guangzhou skyline. There is plenty to do in the tower, so make sure to experience it if you ever visit the area. You will not regret it.