Whether we're admiring world-famous skylines, gazing at snow-capped mountain peaks, or marvelling at jaw-dropping natural wonders, we can never get enough of a great view. We love to snap envy-inducing photos of once-in-a-lifetime experiences and legs that appear to dangle freely from thousand-feet-tall skyscrapers. But sometimes the view is so impressive that we have to put the camera away and simply look on in amazement. These five locations are home to some the world’s most spectacular viewpoints and lookouts.💚
1. Canton Tower GUANGZHOU, CHINA
Soaring to 1,982 feet above the south bank of the Zhujiang River in Guangzhou’s Haizhu
District is the Canton Tower. Designed for the 2010 Asian Games, it briefly held the title
of the world’s tallest tower and is still among the planet’s tallest freestanding structures.
Not content with just the one observation deck, the tower has half a dozen options for
enjoying panoramic city views. Peer out from the 480M Look Out, 450M Lookout and
the Sightseeing Observation Decks. You can even walk between the 32nd and 64th
floors via a 1,000-meter-long spiral staircase.
2. Corcovado RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
Perched atop the 2,329-feet-tall granite peak of Corcovado in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil is
one of the world’s most instantly recognizable statues. With his arms spread out wide,
the Art Deco-style Christ the Redeemer appears to be embracing the city below him.
It’s both a sacred pilgrimage spot and an iconic observation deck. Views extend over
the islands and sparkling waters of Guanabara Bay, which is one of the
Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Emblematic sights, such as Sugarloaf Mountain
and the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, are all visible.
3. Edge NEW YORK CITY, USA
New York City’s newest and highest observation deck outdoes anything that the Empire State
Building and Top of the Rock have done before. The Edge is the highest outdoor sky deck
in the Western Hemisphere, and promises that "you’ve never experienced New York like
this before." You’ll find it situated on the 100th floor of a gleaming glass skyscraper in
Manhattan’s Hudson Yards neighborhood. The adventure begins with a 52-second ride
in high-tech elevators. As you go up, the walls spring to life with images of the city’s
legendary landmarks. The 1,100-feet-high deck is a glass-walled, triangular platform that
juts out from the skyscraper. Views stretch from Central Park to the north, all the way
down to the Statue of Liberty to the south. If you're feeling really brave, you can also look
straight down 100 stories through a section of glass floor. Should it all become too
dizzying, you can always retreat to the comfort of the champagne bar.
Here’s what one of our writers had to say about the Edge experience.
4. Iceman Ötzi Peak 3251m
SOUTH TYROL, ITALY
On the Schnals Valley Glacier and close to the Italian-Austrian alpine border is the
elegant Iceman Ötzi Peak 3251m viewing platform. It takes its name from Ötzi,
the 5,300-year-old iceman mummy discovered by hikers at nearby Similaun
mountain. Architects used Corten (or weathered) steel in the lookout’s construction
for its ability to harmonize with the natural environs. The use of minimal supports
creates an almost floating structure. To get here, visitors must ride a cable car to Europe’s
highest hotel, and then climb a mountainside staircase.
Cascading 535 feet into a rugged gorge, Vøringsfossen waterfall has for long been one of
Norway’s most-loved natural sights. To make it even more spectacular, architects designed
a 99-step footbridge and fixed it to either side of the gorge. The 154-feet-long structure is
a true architectural marvel, and its ends have a height difference of 52 feet. A combination
of cranes, helicopters and mountaineers were used to hoist and attach the parts. In the long
run, the bridge will form part of a larger project that will include a café, footpaths and
more viewpoints.
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