Overview: CITIC Plaza is a prominent skyscraper located in the Tianhe district of Guangzhou, China. Standing 391 meters tall with 80 floors, it was completed in 1997 and quickly became one of the most visible symbols of the city’s rapid late-20th-century growth. The tower is often cited as a major landmark on Guangzhou’s skyline and played a role in defining the Tianhe business area.
Design and characteristics
The building is a mixed-use high-rise combining office accommodation, hotel facilities, and supporting retail and service spaces. Its exterior uses contemporary materials common to large towers of the period, including a curtain-wall system and reinforced structural elements. The massing features a tapered silhouette and a distinctive upper profile that makes it recognizable from many parts of the city.
Quick facts
- Height: 391 meters (approx.).
- Floors: 80 above ground.
- Location: Tianhe district, Guangzhou.
- Completion year: 1997.
- Primary uses: offices, hotel and retail.
History and urban context
Built during a period of intensive economic expansion in southern China, CITIC Plaza helped anchor Guangzhou’s shift toward high-rise development and modern commercial districts. Its construction reflected both private investment and the broader urban planning ambitions of the era to concentrate business activity in new districts outside the old city center.
Uses and significance
As a mixed-use tower, CITIC Plaza has been used for corporate offices, hospitality, and public-facing retail, contributing to the daytime and evening activity of the surrounding district. It is often referenced in discussions of Guangzhou’s skyline evolution and is a common point of orientation for residents and visitors.
Notable facts
At the time of completion it ranked among the taller skyscrapers in China and was notable for its scale in the region. Today it remains one of Guangzhou’s most recognizable high-rises and is frequently mentioned in architectural and urban summaries of the city’s late-20th-century development.