DISCUSS: Best Asian Skyline

[Manila-X]

Definitely Hong Kong. But I also like Shanghai and Tokyo. Singapore's skyline is ok but skyscrapers in the country can only go up to 280 meters. Bangkok's skyline looks interesting especially the building architectures.

But I think in the future, Tokyo will be no.1 if the city plans or builds it's super high-rises like the Millenium Tower

[DARKNIGHT]

I would say Hong Kong, closely followed by Shanghai

[aranetacoliseum]

METROMANILA




ORTIGAS CBD,METROMANILA








MAKATICBD,METROMANILA








MANILACITY,METROMANILA

[OREO]

Hong Kong with no doubt

[RFonline]

Shanghai

[cOcO_cHaneL]

hongkong
jakarta - even though it's spread out, it's so beautiful cuz taht way we wouldnt get bored by all those tall buildings! esp. at nite..
shanghai

[ncon]

i vote Shanghai

[James Foong]

kuala lumpur

[normandb]

1. HK
2. Singapore
3. Bangkok
4. Makati CBD (MM)
5. KL
6. Tokyo
7. Shanghai
8. Ortigas CBD (MM)
9. Seoul
10. Manila CBD (MM)
11. Jakarta
12. Mumbai
13. Dubai
14. Taipei
15. Penang

[ryanr]

Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo are my top three.

The following four is tougher, as its a close race between Shanghai, Metro Manila, Bangkok and KL.

[jlshyang]

Originally Posted by ncbmandy

1. HK
2. Singapore
3. Bangkok
4. Makati CBD (MM)
5. KL
6. Tokyo
7. Shanghai
8. Ortigas CBD (MM)
9. Seoul
10. Manila CBD (MM)
11. Jakarta
12. Mumbai
13. Dubai
14. Taipei
15. Penang

Mine

1. HK
2. Tokyo
3. Singapore
4. Shanghai
5. Metro Manila
6. KL
7. Bangkok
8. Seoul
9. Jakarta
10. Dubai
11. Taipei
12. Penang

[TO_Joe]

I nominate Hong Kong or Shanghai as the "best" today -- partly because they are both locked in a race to see who can build the most futuristic-looking and attention-getting skyline.

Manila (Makati) isn't bad in the sense that unlike Hong Kong or Shanghai, it hasn't got that self-conscious artificial (though visually impressive) feel of the other two -- it's more genuine of a big city. Sorry to say, but Manila is also much poorer than Hong Kong -- so given its economic development, it is all the more impressive.

Tokyo should win this in theory but for years they have been afraid of skyscrapers. They are trying to catch up now, with the redevelopment of Shinbashi / Shidome complex as an example, or the outrageously extravagant (and artificial-looking) Odaiba. The towers of Shinjuku are mediocre and unimaginative at best -- a few exceptional gems like the Tokyo Metropolitan Hall aren't enough to make up for the other crappy concrete monstrosities. Tokyo is redeveloping, and the improving economy should help move things forward over the next 10 years, but until then, it will be be disappointing given its wealth and status -- not only of Japan, but as the world's largest city.

Bangkok is certainly a lot more impressive since the last time I visited in the 90s (when the building boom really took off, then faltered and now restarted). But the problem with BKK is that its city planning is reminiscent of Los Angeles -- a cluster here, a stash there -- limited visual appeal and horrendous traffic just to get there (you are seriously better off walking for miles unless you happen to be on the train lines).

Jakarta has got a lot of catching up to do - but it is a function of economic development.

Seoul is not bad -- but given the advanced economic development of Korea, I think it should do better.

Taipei is also disappointing for its economic development and size -- everyone else is in seismic zones and have airports as well, so I am not sure what the excuse is.

Singapore and KL really don't have the scale (the 3 - 4 million or so in each, versus the 10 - 20 million in the other ones), so they come across as dense wannabes.

It will be interesting to see how Mumbai and Delhi try to reinvent themselves -- particularly Mumbai is desperately trying to assert itself as the next Shanghai. But the limited penninsular land, and the massive ownership / displacement / infrastructure problems -- it will be interesting to see how those are overcome. Given the sweeping penninsula of Mumbai jutting out to the Arabian Sea, the views could be incredible.

[Cliff]

opps, double post

[Cliff]

Hong Kong
Singapore
Manila
Kuala Lumpur
Shanghai
Dubai

[aranetacoliseum]

hongkong
shanghai
singapore
manila
seoul
tokyo

[Effer]

Hong Kong by light years!

[jesarm]

1 - Hong Kong
2 - Shanghai
3 - Singapore
4 - Seoul
5 - Manila

[Citi Boi]

Wow, Metro-Manila's skyline has gotten impressive over the years.
I especially love the multiple skyline clusters!

[jlshyang]

Originally Posted by TO_Joe

I nominate Hong Kong or Shanghai as the "best" today -- partly because they are both locked in a race to see who can build the most futuristic-looking and attention-getting skyline.

Manila (Makati) isn't bad in the sense that unlike Hong Kong or Shanghai, it hasn't got that self-conscious artificial (though visually impressive) feel of the other two -- it's more genuine of a big city. Sorry to say, but Manila is also much poorer than Hong Kong -- so given its economic development, it is all the more impressive.

Tokyo should win this in theory but for years they have been afraid of skyscrapers. They are trying to catch up now, with the redevelopment of Shinbashi / Shidome complex as an example, or the outrageously extravagant (and artificial-looking) Odaiba. The towers of Shinjuku are mediocre and unimaginative at best -- a few exceptional gems like the Tokyo Metropolitan Hall aren't enough to make up for the other crappy concrete monstrosities. Tokyo is redeveloping, and the improving economy should help move things forward over the next 10 years, but until then, it will be be disappointing given its wealth and status -- not only of Japan, but as the world's largest city.

Bangkok is certainly a lot more impressive since the last time I visited in the 90s (when the building boom really took off, then faltered and now restarted). But the problem with BKK is that its city planning is reminiscent of Los Angeles -- a cluster here, a stash there -- limited visual appeal and horrendous traffic just to get there (you are seriously better off walking for miles unless you happen to be on the train lines).

Jakarta has got a lot of catching up to do - but it is a function of economic development.

Seoul is not bad -- but given the advanced economic development of Korea, I think it should do better.

Taipei is also disappointing for its economic development and size -- everyone else is in seismic zones and have airports as well, so I am not sure what the excuse is.

Singapore and KL really don't have the scale (the 3 - 4 million or so in each, versus the 10 - 20 million in the other ones), so they come across as dense wannabes.

It will be interesting to see how Mumbai and Delhi try to reinvent themselves -- particularly Mumbai is desperately trying to assert itself as the next Shanghai. But the limited penninsular land, and the massive ownership / displacement / infrastructure problems -- it will be interesting to see how those are overcome. Given the sweeping penninsula of Mumbai jutting out to the Arabian Sea, the views could be incredible.

I like your comments!!

[zeroyon]

Im going to give my vote to Hong Kong. New York and Hong Kong are the two "skyscraper capitals of the world", so Hong Kong is the king of skyscraper cities in Asia.

2nd place for me would go to Toyko, and 3rd to Shanghai.