The industrial and one of the historical centers of China, as well as the capital of Guangdong Province, is the city of Guangzhou. Sightseeing: a TV tower, an orchid garden, an art museum and much more - you can see in it, but the famous TV tower is considered to be the main one that attracts tourists from all over the world. It rises on the banks of the Pearl River and is the second highest after the tower located in Tokyo. Why is she so attracting guests from all over the world?
The story of the appearance of slender beauty Guangzhou
After the city of Guangzhou received the right to host a sports forum called “Asian Games” in 2010 , China and its government decided to immediately give the industrial metropolis a more attractive look. A plan was developed to build a business district near the Pearl River. The main building in it was to become the Guangzhou TV Tower. Its construction began in 2005, and ARUP was the contractor.
The Supermodel project itself, as it is also commonly called, was created by the brilliant architects Mark Hemel and Barbara Kuit from Holland, who won the 2004 international competition. The Guangzhou TV Tower has such a sophisticated and graceful appearance, as the designers decided that it would have to stand out among all the bulky and large-scale objects with its femininity with smooth curves, and this will become one of its highlights.
Features of the construction of an unusual structure
Guangzhou TV Tower, which is 610 meters high, is one of the tallest structures in the world. Until the moment that they built the Sky Tree in Tokyo, she took first place in the ranking of skyscrapers. The tower consists of two parts. The height of the first is 449 m. It has the form of a hyperboloid. The second part of the structure is the spire. Its height is 160 m.
The design, whose weight is 50,000 tons, was based on pipes made of strong and flexible steel of large sizes. Thanks to this, the TV tower is able to withstand powerful earthquakes over 8 points. On September 29, 2010, construction was completed, and the Guangzhou TV Tower, a symbol of the modern city, appeared in all its glory.
It turned out to be very slim, as was planned by the architects, and somewhat reminds a female figure. This building even has a waist, which is at 66 floors, its diameter is about 30 m. At night, it is illuminated by energy-efficient LEDs. The tower transmits radio and TV signals, can receive about 10 thousand tourists a day.
What interesting things can be found inside the building?
The Guangzhou TV Tower has six high-speed elevators inside, thanks to which staff and visitors rise to the very top in just a minute and a half. There are four observation platforms located at different levels of the building: 33 m, 116 m, 168 m and 449 m, access to which can be obtained by purchasing a ticket of the appropriate category.
At the very top of the sights of Guangzhou is the highest and unique Ferris wheel of its kind, which consists of 16 spherical cabins. They ride around the roof along its outer border, and each cabin can accommodate 5-6 people in itself. Everyone who takes a ride in this “ferris wheel” is guaranteed to receive fantastic emotions and remember this attraction for many years to come.
But most of all, the breathtaking view from the panorama, which can be seen if you climb the very top block. Everyone who decided to conquer this height offers a beautiful view of the modern metropolis and the Pearl River from a bird's eye view. In daylight, this panorama has one view, but if you pause and linger before sunset, you can see how the huge city of Guangzhou shimmers with various colors and lights. Photos will certainly turn out wonderful.
What else strikes the TV tower
Outside the building there is a spiral staircase starting from 180 m. If you climb along it and not with elevators, you can also enjoy the views that open to the eyes of tourists. And this is an unforgettable experience! But elevators also have their advantage, due to the fact that they have transparent doors, visitors have the opportunity to view the entire structure of the television tower inside.
Guangzhou TV Tower can provide entertainment for everyone and every taste. In addition to its exhibition spaces, it has restaurants that rotate and are located at 418 meters and 428 meters, cinemas with 4D function, game rooms, underground parking and a shopping center.
Best place for photos
The glass cabin, which protrudes beyond the circumference of the building at an altitude of about 400 m, has a Guangzhou TV tower in its design, the photos from it are simply amazing. In order to get into it, you need to stand a half-hour queue, but it's worth it.
You can also use the services of the staff of the tower of Guangzhou, a photo taken as a keepsake, they themselves print and give out in a beautiful frame. In general, the pictures will turn out beautiful from any viewing platform of this famous TV tower, the main thing is that the weather be fine and the fog does not interfere.
Interesting facts about the main tower of Guangzhou
Everyone knows that this modern building is especially beautiful at night due to the many lights that uniquely glow and sparkle. But to all this, it turns out that the residents of Guangzhou can determine the day of the week by the color of the television tower today, since each day has its own color.
On the building it is possible to see various animations, using the fact that a particular light source is configured and in turn is controlled by an individual mode. The backlight of the TV tower changes over its entire height. From it shine three lamps emitting a laser one kilometer long, which are aimed at the Zhongxin building and the Zhujiang New City tower brothers.
Another interesting fact is that the patent for the hyperboloid structure in which the TV tower is made was registered back in 1899, and such a structure was erected only in the 21st century. Its owner was a Russian engineer V. Shukhov, whose buildings made with such a design can be seen around the world.
Guangzhou landmark has an interesting nickname - Xiao Man's Waist, which literally means "thin waist". This name was given to the tower due to its feminine design, and Xiao Man is the famous geisha that has been known since the Tang Dynasty. She became famous thanks to her figure and the thinnest waist.
What can I do outside the TV tower?
The building is surrounded by a plot, which is presented in the same architectural style and is ideal for recreation and hiking. Not far from the entrance of the TV tower there is an attraction with an optical illusion, where interesting photos can be obtained, for this there is even a special podium focused on the one who takes pictures. With all this, the optimal effect of the whole idea of the photographer is achieved. If you visit the TV tower on New Year's holidays, you can see the golden tree located near it.
From the embankment of the Pearl River, which houses the TV tower in China, Guangzhou opens in all its glory as a modern and beautiful metropolis, ready for further changes for the better. There you can also find a pointer that shows which objects are located on the other side.
In general, a very prestigious and elite residential complex surrounds the Guangzhou TV tower.
General impression of the TV tower
The building itself is so designed and organized that when you get there, you feel that some fantastic action is being filmed, or you are generally transported to the distant future.
Of course, an indescribable impression will remain from two attractions: Bubble Tram and Sky Drop. Where else can you hang in a chair at such a height and with such an amazing view? And when the seats of this attraction go down, it feels like a person is flying in free flight and then gradually stops at the very bottom.
And, of course, the unforgettable impression that is created from what was seen from the highest observation deck. From here, the entire huge city of Guangzhou is visible at a glance.
Entrance and passage to the TV tower
Guangzhou landmark opens its doors to visitors at 10 am, and closes at 22 hours.
To visit the lower level, which includes 32 floors, and its viewing platform is at an altitude of 33 m, you need to pay 50 yuan. To visit the middle level with platforms at an altitude of 166 m and 168 m and floors from 32 to 67, you need to pay 100 yuan. If you want to reach the highest level and height of 450 meters, you need to pay 150 yuan, for pensioners and students - 120 yuan. The cost of entry and visit to all types of attractions is 488 yuan.
In the event that you can get to the Guangzhou TV tower by public transport, you must use the subway and get off at Chigang Station, which is located on line 3.
If you use a taxi, you can get stuck in traffic for a long time, since, for example, such a trip from the airport takes about an hour.
Given this fact, it is better to choose public transport. And don’t worry that you’ll get lost, the tower can be seen very well from almost anywhere in the city.
Be sure to visit China (Guangzhou) at least once in your life. Photos with unforgettable views taken there will always remind you of this interesting trip.