Canton Tower, a television tower situated in the Hai Chau District of Guangzhou, near the Pearl River (China), is an architectural marvel. Soaring to a height of 604 meters, with the main structure reaching 450 meters and the antenna extending over 150 meters, it officially commenced operations in 2010. The total investment in the Canton Tower amounts to a staggering $450 million (equivalent to 10.7 trillion Vietnamese dong).

Initially designed to stand at an impressive 610 meters, authorities raised concerns about potential impacts on aviation security. Consequently, the antenna portion was lowered, reducing the tower’s height to 604 meters. This makes Canton Tower the world’s second tallest television tower, after Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo (Japan).

The design of Canton Tower was a collaboration between Amsterdam-based architectural firm IBA, London-based Arup, and a six-year construction journey. The tower’s functionality extends beyond broadcasting, featuring an observation deck, restaurants, dining areas, exhibition spaces, shops, a cinema, and wireless transmission facilities.

As a result, the Guangzhou Television Tower has long become a renowned tourist attraction, although few dare to experience its record-breaking features firsthand.

The exhibition area, shops, and dining spaces are located at the base. From around 80 to 170 meters, there are cafés, restaurants, and a 4D cinema — the world’s tallest of its kind. Additionally, there’s a rotating restaurant at an altitude above 424 meters, accommodating 400 guests at once, making it a captivating spot for visitors.

The tower’s observation decks offer varying cityscape vistas from different heights. Indoor and outdoor observation decks crown the tower’s topmost levels, at heights of 449 meters and 454 meters above ground, respectively.