Descriptions of Hong Kong conjure up images of a gleaming, compact skyline, made up of towering buildings so close to one another that you could jump from rooftop to rooftop. This representation is to some extent true. In fact, Emporis, a building data research company, ranked Hong Kong's skyline first in the world for visual impact, measured in terms of building quantity and height. There are more than 7,600 high-rise buildings, the most in any city in the world, in a densely packed space, making the city's architectural wonders tourist attractions in their own right.

Due to a rapidly growing population and booming economy, construction in Hong Kong took an upward spin throughout the 20th century. The region's topography is largely mountainous with limited flat land, so to meet the demands of the citydwellers, building ordinances raised the height limits of both residential and commercial buildings. The first high-rise buildings appeared around 1905, reaching only five to six stories high, but the real building explosion occurred over the last two decades. Architects from around the world flocked to Hong Kong to make their mark on the city's skyline in a competitive rush. Sir Norman Foster's HSBC Building was completed in 1985, followed by I.M. Pei's Bank of China Tower in 1990 and Two International Finance Centre in 2003, all on Hong Kong Island. The closure of Kai Tak Airport in 1998 opened up the skies of Kowloon, which in 2010 will become home to the tallest building in Hong Kong and the third tallest in the world - the 118-storey International Commerce Centre.

Residents may complain of skyrocketing rents, high demand and little space, but it's all part of city living. Juliana Rotmeyer, architect and specialist on high-density architecture in Hong Kong, explains, "The land price policy has basically put an emphasis on vertical growth. With limited space, there is a different kind of living in Hong Kong. Functions are stacked and movement is layered." Simply walking around the city is intriguing. In Rotmeyer's view, "the interweaving of movement, the stacking of functions and the layering" of the city are fascinating; "buildings are permeated and connected at multiple levels creating such unique experiences." A side effect of the development and infrastructure improvement is that few historical buildings remain. "Many of the older British buildings like the old Post Office have been torn down with the introduction of the MTR and replaced with signature buildings," which "represent an architect's style and have become significant."

The city's skyline is arguably Hong Kong's most recognised characteristic. According to Rotmeyer, the skyline is one of the most visually stimulating in the world because of "the density, signature architecture and mountainous peak backdrop. It is the identity of the city, the icon that is internationally known, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris." Seen separately, each building in Hong Kong is special, but together they form a sophisticated skyline, each integral to the fabric of the cosmopolitan metropolis. New constructions are planned for the near future, so visiting Hong Kong in even five or ten years will be an entirely different visual experience, as gravity continues to be defied building by building.

Visitor's Tip

How can you best experience the vivacity of Hong Kong's architecture? Architecture expert Rotmeyer suggests the following: "I would recommend a ride on the longest covered outdoor escalator in the world... Honestly, I think the best way to explore Hong Kong is just walking around. The streets are vibrant places with lots of activity. Areas like SoHo, which is where the captains, governors and officers lived in the 1950s, have a local feel with a lot of character. The market streets in Central and in Mongkok, like the Jade Market, are great to explore. The elevated walkways in Central give a bird's eye view of the overcrowded streets and provide open views of the city. Stanley offers a bit of everything, with the markets, restaurants and the Murray House, which by the way [was] moved from its original location [in Central] and restored."

Bamboo Building

Contemporary architecture in Hong Kong is on the rise, but age-old methods of construction are still employed. Look up to see the 'spidermen' of the city erect giant webs of bamboo scaffolding. These experienced bamboo builders assemble and disassemble towering scaffolding grids stick by stick within a matter of days, often barefoot and with little safety equipment. Not only is bamboo more affordable than steel, it is incredibly sturdy, lightweight and flexible, and can even withstand typhoons.