Three must-see skylines for memorable city trips: Tokyo, San Francisco, and Singapore

You probably have in mind the photographs of those Andean workers taking their lunch break on a plank over the void. It is to them that we owe the construction of skyscrapers. The skyscrapers carve out the new horizon line. They stand proudly and reflect the spirit of the place, their time, and technological advancements. Often, they represent true architectural feats by their designers. Gaining height allows for a better understanding of the outlines of a city, to find one's bearings, and to define its infrastructure. For my part, I would say that this is how one should approach a metropolis, by overlooking it. Then would come the time to traverse it by transport and finally to walk through some of its neighborhoods. In a previous column, I drew the urban silhouette of the cities of Chicago and Hong Kong. 

This time, I have chosen to tell you about the skyline of cities with evocative names: Tokyo, San Francisco, or Singapore. 

Thanks to the panoramic windows and the glass floor, you will be immersed in the Tokyo nightlife. You will see how extravagant the Ginza district is with its luxury signs. Yet the building itself also deserves attention. To set the scene, here are some staggering figures that reflect the excess. On one hand, the tower is 634 meters tall which is symbolic in Japan.! Now, if I told you 2523? These are the steps you would have to climb in the absence of elevators! 36,000, you will have guessed it concerns the tons that Tokyo Tree weighs, which is equivalent to 200 jumbo jets!  

Located in the Minato district, this tower, whose construction dates back to 1958, is directly inspired by the Eiffel Tower. Depending on whether you visit it in winter or summer, it is lit up in orange or white, respectively. From the top of its antenna, the national broadcaster NHK transmits over a radius of more than 150 km. What makes this tower unique is the circumstances of its origin. Japan, emerging from the war, wanted to turn the page and set itself architectural challenges. The project was entrusted to an architect knowledgeable about anti-seismic constraints. Did you know? It can withstand winds of up to 220 km/h! 

What a surprise I faced with this construction signed by Kenzo Tange located in the Shinjuku district. The Tokyo city hall is considered to be the largest city hall in the world with its twin towers, reminiscent of Notre-Dame. It was the tallest building until it was dethroned in 2006 and has an undeniable advantage. Indeed, from its observatories perched on the 45th floor, one can see Fujisan, otherwise known as Mount Fuji. Moreover, access to these unbeatable views is free, so don’t miss out!  

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This work of art, which is over 2000 m long, has its little brother in Lisbon. Did you know? San Franciscans have a sense of humor when they talk about the fog that envelops the city. Hence, to say that the sky is clear, they've coined a term: Karl is out. Well, it’s one of those fogless days that you'll choose to go to the Golden Gate Overlook and I bet you will "click away" with your smartphone because the parallel view of the bridge is perfect. 

It was built in the 1930s to pay tribute to firefighters. It offers a breathtaking view of the city and its bay thanks to a panoramic terrace. Here you can gaze upon both the Golden Bridge and the famous Alcatraz Island. It would be a shame to miss the mural paintings present in this Art Deco gem. A total of 26 artists took turns here. The building indeed shows social frescoes dealing mostly with the theme of the Great Depression. Muralists such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera have left their mark here, it's up to you to spot them.   

It was the Spanish conquistadors who spun this metaphor, and the perspective once prized by the Indians has nothing to do with the eponymous series. Nowadays, the hills attract hikers, but people also come here to walk their dogs. Indeed, the view of the bay is breathtaking at both sunrise and sunset. Most of San Francisco's iconic buildings can be seen from this spot, and in the distance, you can even make out the Pacific Ocean.  

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The City-State that belongs to the Commonwealth enjoys great stability. Over the past few decades, its architecture has been transformed. Alongside the iconic Raffles Hotel from the British colonial era and Malaysian houses, hybrid buildings have emerged. They incorporate the codes of vernacular constructions with new techniques. One of the leaders of this renewal has been the Australian architect Kerry Hill.

Who has not dreamed while looking at photographs of the Marina Bay hotel? Indeed, you recognize the silhouette of this luxury hotel with its surfboard placed on its roof. You are well aware that an infinity pool tops it off. What you might not know, however, is that by paying an entrance fee, you can enjoy its unmatched view. From the top of the 57th floor, you will even have the pleasure of sipping a cocktail by the pool if you choose not to swim! 

The most astonishing thing is the suspended walkways that connect the 18 super trees that form this artificial forest. Walking among them is breathtaking, especially since some specimens are nearly 50 meters tall. They are beautifully lit and form an integral part of the Singapore skyline. Moreover, they provide shade and coolness and are home to numerous tropical plants. The city already had a botanical garden, now it has bet on a garden city. At the same time, tropical greenhouses have been set up in the style of the Cloud Forest, take the opportunity to stop by there.  

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Author: Gretel Tamalet
Photo Credits: Louie Martinez, Maarten van den Heuvel, Bambi Corro, Duy Nguyen - Unsplash