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Plizio Visual Lab

The Center

tower
—°1
The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)

Weather…

The Center is a prominent skyscraper that defines the skyline of Hong Kong's Central business district. Reaching a height of 346 meters, it is the city's fifth tallest building and is instantly recognizable by its sleek steel and reflective glass exterior. Uniquely, the tower is constructed entirely with a steel frame, lacking a traditional reinforced concrete core, which is a significant engineering feat for a structure of its scale. It is perhaps best known for its spectacular nighttime display, featuring hundreds of neon tubes that create a vibrant, ever-changing light show across its facade. Completed in 1998, the building serves as a hub for major financial institutions and global corporations. Its grand lobby and futuristic design continue to make it a symbol of Hong Kong's status as a world-leading financial center and an icon of modern urban architecture.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Nov, Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C161820232628292928252217
Rain mm352969109231288197234173562921

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The Center is an office tower, with public access limited to the lobby and surrounding plazas. The observation deck is not open to the public, but the exterior lighting is clearly visible.
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Typical hours
The building has no fixed visiting hours for the public as it is an office tower. The exterior lighting is usually visible in the evening until midnight.
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Photography
Photographing the façade and the nightly neon lighting from the street and surrounding plazas is straightforward. A tripod can be useful for long exposures of the light effects.
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Time needed
A quick visit to the lobby and exterior takes about 15-20 minutes. If you want to photograph the night light show, allow about half an hour.
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Combine with
The Center is in the heart of Central, within walking distance of many attractions like the Bank of China Tower and Statue Square. The Hong Kong Observation Wheel is also nearby.
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Getting there
Central MTR station is a few minutes' walk away, as is Hong Kong Station for the Airport Express. Numerous bus lines stop in the area.
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Insider tip
Come after dark to see the spectacular neon lighting of the building. The best view of the light show is from the pedestrian crossing in front of the building.

Geography

Coordinates
22.28440, 114.15440

Facts

  • Building height is 346 meters.
  • Has 73 stories.
  • Completed in 1998.
  • Neon lighting consists of 15,000 LEDs.
  • Construction cost was 1.2 billion HKD.
  • Building houses approximately 10,000 jobs.

Explore nearby

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Shek Kip MeiShek Kip Mei3 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town The Center (1)

Wa On Lane Sitting-out Area🌳 park

The Wa On Lane Sitting-out Area is a pocket park nestled between dense city buildings to offer pedestrians a brief resting spot.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What material is the facade made of?
The building is almost entirely clad in reflective glass and steel.
Is there an observation deck?
No, the building is primarily used for offices and does not have a public deck.
What is special about the tower at night?
Hundreds of neon bars illuminate the building in colorful patterns.
How tall is The Center?
The skyscraper stands at approximately 346 meters tall.
Where exactly in Central is the building located?
It is located at 99 Queen's Road Central.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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More places in Hong Kong SAR China →

Nearby cities

Sheung Wan — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
Sheung Wan
Sheung Wan is a historic district known for its traditional Chinese herbal shops, antiques, and modern art galleries.
Sheung Wan Trade Area — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
Sheung Wan Trade Area
A historic district known for wholesale trade in dried seafood and traditional herbs.
Central — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
Central
Central is the business and financial heart of Hong Kong, featuring skyscrapers and government buildings.

History & landmarks

Mid-Levels Escalator — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
Mid-Levels Escalator
This system is the world's longest outdoor covered escalator system.
Former Central Magistracy — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
Former Central Magistracy
This building was one of the oldest judicial sites in Hong Kong.
Tai Kwun Prison Yard — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
Tai Kwun Prison Yard
The Prison Yard is a central open space within the Tai Kwun complex.
PMQ — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
PMQ
PMQ was formerly the Police Married Quarters.
Exchange Square — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
Exchange Square
A building complex in Central housing the Hong Kong Stock Exchange's trading floor.
Western Market — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
Western Market
Western Market is the oldest surviving market building in Hong Kong.
Jamia Mosque — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
Jamia Mosque
Jamia Mosque is the oldest mosque in Hong Kong.
Central Business District — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
Central Business District
The heart of Hong Kong's financial sector houses numerous global banks and the stock exchange.

Nature

Zoological and Botanical Gardens — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
Zoological and Botanical Gardens
This is one of the oldest zoological and botanical centers in the world.

More places

Tai Kwun — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
Tai Kwun
Tai Kwun is a cultural center located in the former Central Police Station compound.
Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum
This museum in Mid-Levels is dedicated to the life of the Chinese revolutionary.
Kom Tong Hall — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
Kom Tong Hall
Kom Tong Hall now houses the Dr.
Two International Finance Centre — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
Two International Finance Centre
An iconic skyscraper in Central housing the headquarters of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
Jardine House — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
Jardine House
Once the tallest building in Asia, it is known for its round windows.
HSBC Main Building — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
HSBC Main Building
The headquarters of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation is considered one of the world's most expensive office buildings.
St. John&#39;s Cathedral — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
St. John's Cathedral
St.
St. John&#39;s Cathedral — The Center (Hong Kong SAR China)
St. John's Cathedral
St.