“Is that a clock tower?” you ask. Indeed, right here is Yuehai Bell Tower. It is also known as \u60a6\u6d77\u949f\u697c. Today, we will explore the story of the Canton Tower. The tower has become a symbol of modern Guangzhou.
Canton Tower stands tall. It reaches a height of 602 meters. It briefly held the title of the world’s tallest tower. Later, the Tokyo Skytree surpassed it. It remains an iconic structure in Guangzhou.
Construction of Canton Tower began in 2005. It officially opened on September 30, 2010. This timing coincided with the 2010 Asian Games. The Games were hosted in Guangzhou.
The naming of Canton Tower sparked much debate. Initially, “Haixin Tower” won a naming contest. This name referenced Guangzhou’s maritime history. Yet, many locals preferred nicknames. “Slim Waist” and “Twisted Firewood” were popular. Finally, “Canton Tower” was chosen. This name reflects the city’s prosperous past.
Mark Hemel and Barbara Kuit designed the Canton Tower. They were part of Information Based Architecture. Arup, a design and engineering firm, also contributed. Their collaboration resulted in the tower’s unique shape.
The tower’s design resembles a hyperboloid structure. Vladimir Shukhov, a Russian engineer, patented a similar design in 1899. The Adziogol Lighthouse in Ukraine shares this structural concept.
The Canton Tower features a “waist.” This area has an open-air skywalk. Visitors can climb and enjoy the views. Gardens are located within the tower’s structure. An open-air observation deck sits at the top. It is over 452 meters high.
Inside, the Canton Tower offers many attractions. There are TV and radio transmission facilities. Observation decks provide stunning vistas. Revolving restaurants offer dining experiences. Computer gaming areas entertain visitors. There are also exhibition spaces, conference rooms, shops, and 4D cinemas.
The base of the Canton Tower conceals its functional elements. Metro and bus stations are located underground. Exhibition spaces and a food court are also here. You can find parking for cars and coaches. Two types of elevators serve the tower. Slow-speed panoramic elevators and high-speed double-decker elevators.
The Canton Tower’s lighting design is unique. At night, it emits light instead of being uplit. Rogier van der Heide designed the lighting. Each node is individually controllable. This allows for animations and color changes. The lighting uses LED technology. It consumes only 15% of the allowed energy.
The main body of the Canton Tower is 450 meters tall. The antenna adds another 150 meters. In total, the tower has 112 floors. It weighs 100,000 tons.
The 2010 Asian Games opening ceremonies used Canton Tower as a focal point. Haixinsha Island hosted the event. The Pearl River also played a role. An annual Christmas concert was held inside the tower. This was on Christmas Eve in 2012.
Canton Tower sits in the Haizhu District. It is south of Zhujiang New Town. Pagodas and high-rise buildings surround it.
The indoor public observatory is 449 meters above the ground. The rooftop at 488 meters used to be the world’s highest outdoor observation deck. Sixteen transparent passenger cars circle the tower’s roof. They provide a unique viewing experience.
As you stand here, remember the Canton Tower’s journey. From its debated naming to its stunning design, it is truly a landmark. It embodies Guangzhou’s blend of history and modernity.