In a 2025 study of over 2,000 respondents, over 75% of respondents believed that buildings have at least some impact on their mental health, with nearly one-third reporting a ‘big impact’, and nearly half (49%) reported that interesting buildings make them smile when they walk past.
To help those seeking out the architectural thrill of a skyline, global luggage storage network, Radical Storage, has created an index that reveals which cities around the world have the best skylines. They have scored the top 100 cities from Skyscraper Center using a weighted scoring system.
The cities were scored on:
- The total number of skyscrapers over 150 metres (30%)
- The average height of a city’s ten tallest buildings (25%)
- Nighttime skyline visibility (25%)
- Skyline density (15%)
- The number of award-winning buildings (5%)
Key findings:
- Shenzhen, China, ranks as the world’s best skyline, with a total of 679 skyscrapers over 150m tall.
- China dominates the global skyline landscape, accounting for 60% of the world’s top 10 skylines, including three of the top five cities and the number one-ranked skyline overall.
- New York City leads the way for architectural recognition, with 20 award-winning buildings, the highest number among all cities.
- Montreal, Canada, is the top city skyline to see at nighttime, ranking highest in the nighttime visibility score.
- Dubai leads the world for supertall skyscrapers, with 32 buildings over 300m tall, more than any other city in the top 10.
- Sunny Isles Beach had the highest skyline density with 3.41 buildings per km2.
The World’s Top 10 Best Skylines
(insert chart)
- Shenzhen, China
Shenzhen takes the top spot as the world’s best city skyline. The city records 679 skyscrapers over 150m high (including 196 over 200m and 22 over 300m high) and pairs that with a top-10 average height of 418m, with the tallest being Ping An Finance Center at 599m. Scoring well for nighttime visibility and with four award-winning buildings, the Shenzhen skyline is an all-rounder for its architecture and beauty.
- Dubai, UAE
Probably most famous for its view of the Burj Al Arab at 321m, Dubai ranks second overall. Frequently featured in major films like Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol or Fast and Furious 7, the skyline has 430 skyscrapers over 150m, including 129 over 200mand 32 over 300m. Dubai also scores highly for nighttime skyline visibility and has nine award-winning buildings.
- Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong boasts a massive 677 skyscrapers, with 102 over 200m and six over 300m. The city was previously ranked the #1 tallest city in the world based on the number of 150m+ completed buildings and it has three award-winning buildings. Its top-10 average height is 347m, showing that Hong Kong’s strength lies in its overwhelming wall of high rises. The Hong Kong skyline can be recognised in films like Godzilla vs Kong and The Dark Knight, with the famous scene where Batman leaps from the Two International Finance Centre.
- New York City, USA
The New York skyline is etched into pop culture playing the leading character in many movies and series, with the Empire State Building having starred in everything from King Kong to Elf. NYC stands out for the most award-winning buildings at 20, the highest count out of all cities.
It totals 442 skyscrapers (including 101 over 200m and 18 over 300m), and its top-10 average height reaches 419m, its tallest being the One World Trade Center at 546m, the tallest skyscraper in North America, built to commemorate 9/11.
- Wuhan, China
Wuhan’s scores is driven by strong high-rise volume and strong nighttime visibility. With 283 skyscrapers over 150m, including 73 over 200m and eight over 300m, there are many high rises you can see from day to night. The Wuhan Greenland Center is the skyline’s tallest tower at 476m, with a distinctive triangular floor plan and wind-proof design.
- Guangzhou, China
Guangzhou ranks sixth overall and is home to 288 skyscrapers over 150m, including 67 exceeding 200 metres and 13 over 300 metres. Its top ten buildings average is 371m in height, giving Guangzhou a powerful but balanced skyline, with the tallest being the Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre at 530m.
- Shanghai, China
Shanghai counts 286 skyscrapers above 150m, including 74 over 200m and nine surpassing 300. Its top-10 average height reaches 399m, placing it among the highest in the index and the world, with Shanghai Tower reaching 632m. While skyline density is lower than Hong Kong or New York, Shanghai’s skyline stands out for its landmark-led composition. The Bank of China Tower featured prominently in Mission: Impossible III.
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur has 277 skyscrapers over 150m, including 72 above 200m and six exceeding 300m and is home to Merdeka 118, a 678.9m tall skyscraper and the Petronas Twin Towers at 451.9m. The city’s top ten buildings average 384m in height. However, the view from these buildings will be difficult to see when the sun goes down with a low nighttime visibility score.
=9. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo ranks joint ninth overall. The city is home to 215 skyscrapers over 150m, including 38 above 200m and one exceeding 300m. Its top ten buildings average 276m in height, sitting a bit lower than the extreme supertalls in the higher-ranked cities, with its tallest constructed building being the Mori JP Tower at 327.2m high.
=9. Chongqing, China
In joint ninth place is Chongqing. The city records 218 skyscrapers over 150m, including 62 above 200m and five over 300m. Its top-10 average height stands at 329m, despite being less dense than other Chinese cities. With a high nighttime visibility score, Chongqing’s rankings reflect a growing city compared to others in the index.
Photo Credit: lzf / Shutterstock.com
