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Insightschevron-rightchevron-rightEducationalchevron-rightCities With the Most Skyscrapers in the World: Metropolis Havens of the Planet

Cities With the Most Skyscrapers in the World: Metropolis Havens of the Planet

Written by
Dana Nemirovsky
, Journalist at Brand Vision.

Rise of the Modern Metropolis

Skyscrapers stand as symbols of human ambition. From steel-framed towers of the early 20th century to the gravity-defying designs of contemporary architects, these soaring structures often become the hallmark of a city’s identity. In fact, one can argue that cities with the most skyscrapers wield a certain cultural clout: Their tall buildings aren’t just about housing offices or apartments—they represent economic might, cutting-edge engineering, and a drive to build upward when outward expansion is limited.

Below, we’ll count down from #10 to #1. Our ranking draws on the official number of skyscrapers 150 meters or taller within each metropolitan area. Along the way, we’ll discuss each city’s major architectural highlights and the cultural or historical factors that propelled them into the upper echelons of vertical building. Let’s dig in!

#10: Chicago, United States (126 Skyscrapers)

Chicago is widely seen as the birthplace of the modern skyscraper. Its historical roots date back to the Home Insurance Building, completed in 1885 and standing a mere 10 stories tall—tiny compared to today’s monoliths, but revolutionary for its time. Though it stands at #10 in our countdown of cities with the most skyscrapers, Chicago has long been considered a living architectural museum. With 126 skyscrapers, the city remains an emblem of American innovation in high-rise design.

One can’t talk about Chicago skyscrapers without mentioning icons like the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), which soared as the world’s tallest from 1973 until 1998. Equally notable are the John Hancock Center (now known as 875 North Michigan Avenue) and the Aon Center. Walk along the Chicago River, and you’ll see modern marvels mingling with timeless early-20th-century façades. The Chicago skyline feels cohesive yet dynamic, offering glimpses of how vertical building evolved over a century. Even as new projects pop up, the city prides itself on urban planning, tying together tourism, commerce, and green spaces.

chicago

#9: Wuhan, China (169 Skyscrapers)

Next up is Wuhan, a massive metropolis in central China that might surprise those who primarily associate Chinese skyscrapers with coastal or southern cities. With 169 towering buildings, Wuhan secures its spot among the cities with the most skyscrapers, reflecting China’s broader trend of rapid urban growth. Often referred to as the “Chicago of China” for its strategic location near major rivers and transport lines, Wuhan has gone all-in on vertical expansion over the past two decades.

Major high-rise landmarks include the Wuhan Center, a distinctive tower with an aerodynamic design standing over 400 meters tall, and the Minsheng Bank Building, notable for its modern, eco-friendly features. The city’s appetite for constructing new, ambitious architectural statements hasn’t waned. Residential skyscrapers abound too, offering housing for the city’s dense population of over 11 million. Wuhan stands as a testament to China’s “Go West” or inland development initiatives, dispersing economic growth away from the coast.

wuhan

#8: Tokyo, Japan (176 Skyscrapers)

Landing at #8 with 176 high-rises is Tokyo, Japan’s megacity with a population exceeding 37 million in its greater metropolitan area. Despite Japan’s reputation for strict zoning, seismic activity, and cultural reverence for traditional architecture, Tokyo stands confidently among cities with the most skyscrapers in Asia. Tokyo’s skyscraper boom took off in the 1960s and 1970s, though the city still carefully regulates building heights in certain historical or densely packed neighborhoods.

Shinjuku’s cluster of office skyscrapers is emblematic of the city’s relentless modernization. Landmarks such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the Shinjuku Mitsui Building, and Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower reflect the synergy between practical design and futuristic aesthetics. Meanwhile, Roppongi Hills and the Tokyo Midtown complexes illustrate how modern high-rises can integrate green spaces, shopping zones, and cultural attractions. Earthquake-resistant engineering underscores every Tokyo tower, a necessary measure in this seismically active region.

tokyo

#7: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (179 Skyscrapers)

Kuala Lumpur, affectionately known as KL, emerges at #7 with 179 skyscrapers. Many travelers know it best for the Petronas Twin Towers, once the world’s tallest from 1998 to 2004. Yet beyond that iconic pair stands a broader ensemble of high-rises that make Kuala Lumpur an undeniable member of the cities with the most skyscrapers club. These structures line the city center (or “Golden Triangle”) with shimmering glass and steel that reflect Malaysia’s aspirations as a leading Southeast Asian financial hub.

Kuala Lumpur’s skyscraper story blends local culture with global corporate presence. The city invests heavily in development projects that integrate commercial, residential, and leisure spaces, all while championing architectural flair. Recent additions, like Exchange 106 and Merdeka 118 (the latter slated to be among the world’s tallest), signal that Kuala Lumpur is locked into building upward for decades. But the city also retains a sense of greenery—you’ll often see pockets of tropical foliage, rooftop gardens, and public parks among the towering spires.

Kuala Lumpur

#6: Shanghai, China (194 Skyscrapers)

At #6 is Shanghai, a megalopolis that epitomizes China’s transformation into a 21st-century economic superpower. The city boasts 194 high-rises standing 150 meters or above, many concentrated in Pudong’s Lujiazui district. Shanghai’s rapid ascendancy among cities with the most skyscrapers amazes even seasoned observers, particularly as much of the city’s modern skyline took shape in just three decades.

Shanghai’s role as China’s financial capital demands a skyline that signals corporate prestige and global connectivity. Yet the city also grapples with land scarcity and environmental constraints, driving even more high-rise solutions. The local government invests in high-tech infrastructure—like magnetic-levitation trains—and is exploring ways to infuse green design into these vertical developments. In the grand race among cities with the most skyscrapers, Shanghai is a formidable contender, showcasing that hyper-modern districts can exist alongside colonial-era waterfront promenades like The Bund.

shanghai

#5: Guangzhou, China (201 Skyscrapers)

Guangzhou takes the #5 spot with 201 buildings surpassing 150 meters. Nestled in the Pearl River Delta near Shenzhen and Hong Kong, Guangzhou benefits from its prime location as a regional trade and manufacturing powerhouse. Historically known as Canton, the city has awakened in the 21st century, reshaping itself into a technological and commercial hub brimming with modern high-rises. It’s no surprise, then, that Guangzhou ranks among the cities with the most skyscrapers, reflecting southern China’s unstoppable economic momentum.

Signature structures include the 600-meter Canton Tower (again, more of a TV and sightseeing tower but an iconic vertical element) and the CITIC Plaza. Many new projects aim to blend multi-functional spaces—like offices, hotels, and retail centers—within single integrated towers. The city’s planning often emphasizes aesthetic flourishes, with some high-rises featuring LED panels that transform the nocturnal skyline into a kaleidoscope of color.

guangzhou

#4: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (264 Skyscrapers)

Dubai’s global reputation often hinges on show-stopping architecture, so it’s no shock it appears at #4 in our countdown of cities with the most skyscrapers. With 264 high-rises crossing the 150-meter threshold, Dubai’s vertical landscape grows more futuristic by the year. The emirate’s architectural mania soared into the limelight with the 828-meter Burj Khalifa—the world’s tallest building—dominating the skyline since its completion in 2010. Many first-time visitors find themselves awed not just by the Burj, but by the countless other feats of design rising out of the Arabian desert.

What propelled Dubai’s skyline to such prominence? Oil wealth initially fueled the emirate’s modernization; later, strategic diversification into tourism, finance, and real estate spurred breakneck urban expansion. Mega-projects like the Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, and Dubai Marina were meticulously planned to attract global investors and travelers. Today, high-rise living is integral to many Dubai residents, blending luxury amenities like infinity pools or sky lounges with panoramic vistas of the Persian Gulf.

dubai

#3: New York City, United States (319 Skyscrapers)

In the American imagination, skyscrapers and New York City are virtually synonymous. With 319 tall structures, NYC sits at #3 among cities with the most skyscrapers, although many might guess it would rank higher given its storied architectural legacy. The Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and One World Trade Center are just a few iconic examples, representing different eras of engineering ambition. No single place on Earth so epitomizes the skyscraper concept as Manhattan, where countless towers cluster together like a vertical tapestry.

Comparing the Big Apple with other cities with the most skyscrapers reveals both continuity and change. For continuity, NYC’s role as a global finance hub ensures a constant appetite for high-end office space. For change, hyper-modern designs using advanced materials—like the slender “supertall” residences on Billionaires’ Row—update a skyline that once was dominated by Art Deco silhouettes. Regardless of trends, few cityscapes on Earth are as recognizable or heavily photographed as Manhattan’s, making New York City forever a staple in any conversation about skyscraper culture.

NYC SKYLINE

#2: Shenzhen, China (431 Skyscrapers)

Snatching the runner-up position with 431 skyscrapers is Shenzhen, a city that has transformed from a fishing village to a tech juggernaut in a mere four decades. Bordering Hong Kong to the south, Shenzhen has harnessed its status as a Special Economic Zone to attract foreign capital, manufacturing powerhouses, and top-tier design firms. In the race for cities with the most skyscrapers, few can match the velocity of Shenzhen’s ascent. Today, the skyline is dotted with signature towers like the Ping An Finance Centre, standing at a towering 599 meters, along with the KK100 and China Resources Headquarters.

Shenzhen’s vertical boom parallels its emergence as the “Silicon Valley of China.” Tech giants like Huawei and Tencent are headquartered here, fueling a white-collar demand for premium office space and upscale residential developments. Infrastructure expansions—high-speed rail lines, a growing metro system—bolster connectivity, making Shenzhen even more alluring to domestic and international talent.

SHENZHEN SKYLINE

#1: Hong Kong (564 Skyscrapers)

Crowning our countdown at #1 is Hong Kong, reigning supreme with an astonishing 564 skyscrapers. This vertical wonder has long been recognized among cities with the most skyscrapers, boasting a skyline that merges business prowess with mesmerizing topographic contrasts. Hong Kong’s geography—limited buildable land surrounded by steep hills and Victoria Harbour—compels developers to reach skyward rather than outward. The result is a breathtaking view from across the water in Tsim Sha Tsui, where luminous towers reflect off the harbor each night in a grand symphony of light.

The Bank of China Tower, completed in 1990, once symbolized Hong Kong’s financial rise, followed by the angular International Finance Centre (IFC) and the 484-meter International Commerce Centre (ICC) across the harbor. Meanwhile, narrower residential towers climb dozens of floors to house the dense population in somewhat compact units, reinforcing the idea that building up is the most viable solution to scarce land. Beyond architecture, each towering cluster pulsates with commerce, from global investment banks to bustling shopping malls and upscale restaurants perched high above the urban throng.

Hong kong

A Glimpse into the Vertical Future

So what does the future hold for these vertical landscapes? Expect more emphasis on green building materials, eco-friendly designs (think rooftop gardens or facades that improve air quality), and improved public transportation to reduce pollution and congestion. Also, supertall buildings—over 600 meters—continue to gain traction, challenging global records. As technology evolves, the line between architecture and science fiction might blur, giving us multi-use high-rises that incorporate living spaces, offices, entertainment venues, and automated systems in a single tower.

Ultimately, if you’re inspired by these top ten cities with the most skyscrapers, consider visiting at least one to experience its skyline magic in person. Each city offers a unique vantage point on how society interacts with technology, land constraints, and cultural heritage. From the calm waters of Victoria Harbour reflecting Hong Kong’s neon glow to the futuristic spires looming in Shenzhen’s tech districts, these concrete canyons exemplify humanity’s ever-reaching quest to touch the sky—and do so in astonishing style.

Disclosure: This list is intended as an informational resource and is based on independent research and publicly available information. It does not imply that these businesses are the absolute best in their category. Learn more here.

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