THE DELEON INSIGHT
Skylines: Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour and Shanghai’s Huangpu River By Ann Ho
One day, I found myself strolling along the San Francisco Piers. More specifically, I was at Pier 7 and thinking how it has such a beautiful view, with the beaches and the Transamerica Pyramid in the background. Thinking back on the numerous times I’ve walked down this same road, I still reminisce about the breathtaking views that the San Francisco Bay Area has to offer. From the classic red glow of the Golden Gate Bridge to the dazzling lights of the Bay Bridge, every landmark has a place in my heart. Being from the Bay Area, I could not help but think about all of the different skylines around the world that brings this same sense of awe for an individual. On a recent trip late last fall with Michael Repka, I had the pleasure of visiting Hong Kong and experiencing its awe-inspiring skyline for myself. Looking out from Victoria Harbour facing Hong Kong Island, there is an iconic view famous for its sky-high buildings, with the breathtaking mountain backdrop surrounding the area. At night, one can see the very same building transform into a LED screen and become a canvas for lights and animation. This skyline is the definition of modern and metropolitan. Shortly after, I went overseas yet again with Michael and the DeLeon Team to Shanghai, China. In the limited spare time I had away from events like the
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Luxury Property Showcase, I made sure I set aside time to make a visit to a renowned area called the Bund. From the Lujiazui Skyline in the Pudong District, one can see the iconic Oriental Pearl and the modern financial skyscrapers surrounding it. Interestingly, what I found memorable was the various architectural buildings of the Shanghai Bund just across the Huangpu River. Shanghai’s concession era buildings give the area a historic feel as one of Asia’s most prominent foreign trading ports of the past. There is nothing quite like the skylines of Hong Kong and Shanghai. Hong Kong presents the pinnacle of modern high-rises, while Shanghai blends its colonial architecture of the past with an ever-evolving sea of commercial high rises. Both present their own distinct charm that definitely cannot be missed.
