Canton Tower (Little Waist)

Canton Tower (Little Waist)

Canton Tower (Little Waist) is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Guangzhou TV Tower refers to Canton Tower.

Guangzhou TV Tower

Canton Tower, also known as the new Guangzhou TV Tower, is nicknamed Little Waist. It is located near Chigang Pagoda in Haizhu District (Yizhou Island), Guangzhou City, China, at ground level with a height of 600 meters and 125 meters from the south bank of the Pearl River. It faces Haixinsha Island and Zhujiang New Town across the river, and is the tallest tower in China and the third tallest in the world. On September 28, 2010, the Guangzhou City Investment Group held a press conference to officially announce the name of the new Guangzhou TV Tower as Canton Tower, with an overall height of 600 meters, making it the tallest building in Guangzhou and the tallest tower in China. The slimmest part of “Little Waist” is on the 66th floor. In 2011, it was officially rated as the top of the “Eight New Scenic Spots of Yangcheng” — “Tower Shining Over the New City,” becoming a must-visit Guangzhou attraction with the saying, “Visit Guangzhou, and you must visit Canton Tower.” It officially opened to the public on October 1, 2010.

Canton Tower, located on Yuejiang West Road in Haizhu District, Guangzhou, stands 125 meters from the south bank of the Pearl River and faces Haixinsha Island and Zhujiang New Town across the water. It is a large-scale urban infrastructure primarily for sightseeing, with functions in cultural entertainment and as a city landmark. It provided broadcasting services for the 2010 Asian Games held in Guangzhou. The tower is owned by the Guangzhou City Investment Group and was constructed by Guangzhou Construction Engineering Group and Shanghai Construction Group, completing in September 2009. The main body of Canton Tower is 450 meters tall (with the highest observation deck at 454 meters), and the antenna mast is 150 meters, bringing the total height to 600 meters. It replaced Canada’s CN Tower as the world’s third tallest TV tower at the time, and is now second only to the world’s tallest self-supporting TV tower — Japan’s Tokyo Skytree (634 meters, construction started July 14, 2008, completed February 29, 2012). It is the world’s second tallest self-supporting TV tower and has become a new landmark of Guangzhou. Canton Tower officially opened to the public on September 30, 2010, and began selling tickets to visitors on October 1.

During the architectural design competition for the new Guangzhou TV Tower, several outstanding designs were submitted. After a public vote and multiple rounds of expert evaluation, the final design selected was by Dutch firm IBA, created by architects Mark Hemel and Barbara Kuit. Their design, standing 450 meters tall with a 150-meter antenna mast, was themed “A New Look for Guangzhou.” The construction site covers an area of 175,460 square meters, with a total floor area of 114,054 square meters, including 44,276 square meters for the tower itself and 69,779 square meters for the basement.

The final design of Canton Tower’s structure is an elliptical, gradient mesh form. Its shape, space, and structure are generated by two upward-twisting oval steel shells — one on the base plane and one on an imaginary 450-meter-high plane. The two ovals are twisted 135 degrees relative to each other and taper at the waist. The grid structure is looser at the base and denser toward the waist, which tightens and fixes like woven rope, creating the “slender waist.” Above the waist, the grid opens up, supported by gradually tapering tubular columns. The plan dimensions and structural density are controlled by the two ellipses that shape the design, producing varying visual effects. The tower looks different from every angle. The more open top structure creates a transparent effect for panoramic views, while the denser midsection offers a more private experience. It is designed to withstand earthquakes of magnitude 7.8 and typhoons of force 12, with a service life of over 100 years. Although the tower’s height does not aim to be the world’s tallest, with the addition of a 160-meter antenna, the overall height of 610 meters makes it the tallest in Asia.

As the new Guangzhou TV Tower is located in an aircraft turning zone, regulations require no obstacles within 300 meters of the flight path at that altitude. Aircraft fly at 900 meters above sea level in this area, so to ensure flight safety, 10 meters have been removed from the top of the antenna, bringing the final height to 600 meters.

Canton Tower has many beautiful nicknames, the most famous being “Little Waist.” Other names include Haixin Tower, Blue Sea Heart Sand, Southern Sky Pillar, Cloud Herding Tower, Baiyue Cloud Pearl, Guangzhou Tower, Lingnan Mosin Tower, Southern Whirl Tower, Guangzhou Pearl Tower, Huiyue Tower, Guangzhou Haixin Tower, Haixinsha Tower, and Chiguang Tower.

Completed in September 2009, Canton Tower, including its antenna, stands 600 meters tall (with a 450-meter tower body and 150-meter antenna mast) and has 112 floors. It is the tallest tower in China and the third tallest in the world, after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE (828 meters), and the Tokyo Skytree in Japan (634 meters).

World Records

World’s Highest Outdoor Observation Deck: Canton Tower’s 488-meter outdoor photography observation deck was awarded the Guinness World Record for “World’s Highest Outdoor Observation Deck” in 2013.

World’s Highest Thrill Experience: Canton Tower’s “Speed Drop Adventure” was recognized by Guinness World Records in 2013 as the “World’s Highest Thrill Experience.” This is a unique award title created by Guinness specifically for Canton Tower, with no other record holders.

Longest Aerial Glass Walkway: Located over 160 meters high, it spirals upward and consists of more than 1,000 steps.

Highest Revolving Restaurant: A 424-meter-high revolving restaurant that can accommodate 400 diners enjoying both Chinese and Western cuisine.

Highest 4D Cinema: Watch a scented movie 100 meters above the ground.

Highest Souvenir Shop: A Guangzhou Tower souvenir retail store at 432 meters where you can take home exquisite models of the tower.

Highest Horizontal Ferris Wheel: A horizontal Ferris wheel added to the 450-meter open-air observation platform, offering sweeping views of Guangzhou.

Highest Aerial Post Office: Send your greetings to loved ones from high above.

World’s Highest Ferris Wheel

Unlike traditional vertical Ferris wheels, the Canton Tower Ferris wheel does not hang from a track but moves along an inclined one.

Opened to the public on September 1, 2011

“The sightseeing capsules complete one revolution around the antenna in about 20 minutes, allowing visitors to enjoy views of Guangzhou from all angles. The construction company of Canton Tower stated that, being ‘located’ 450 meters above ground, it is the highest Ferris wheel in the world. The original plan to install a ‘speed drop basket’ project (3–4 drop baskets descending from 480 meters to the tower top) is still under discussion.”

Not suitable for those with a fear of heights

How is the safety of this “world’s highest Ferris wheel” with breathtaking views ensured? Unlike conventional Ferris wheels, the Canton Tower Ferris wheel moves along an inclined track instead of hanging from one. With the oval track tilted at 15° to the horizontal, to keep the slightly angled capsules stable during rotation, authorities installed a “leveling mechanism” that uses mechanical and structural ingenuity to adjust the capsule’s balance in real time. The 16 capsules are connected by flexible cables into a loop and rotate synchronously, driven by a power car. Reliable positioning and anti-tilt devices ensure the system remains safe even during force 8 earthquakes or category 12 typhoons.

Despite these safety measures, the thrill level of this highest Ferris wheel is unmatched. The safety corridor of the Canton Ferris wheel is located beside the capsules, over a meter wide, with “bottomless depths” on both sides and below. Passengers with acrophobia or conditions such as heart disease or hypertension may struggle to cooperate with rescuers at high altitudes, making it unsuitable for them.

Built atop Canton Tower between 450–454 meters, it is the world’s highest Ferris wheel. One rotation takes about 20 minutes, offering views of Guangzhou from all angles. The Ferris wheel consists of 16 sightseeing capsules linked in a loop, each 3.2 meters in diameter and accommodating 4–6 passengers. Safety is assured with positioning and anti-tilt mechanisms that make it resistant to force 8 earthquakes and category 12 typhoons.

Admission Ticket

Guinness Carnival Two-for-One Combo Ticket (White Cloud & Starry Sky Hall + Ferris Wheel / Drop Ride Experience) 298 RMB

Additional Ferris Wheel Ticket After Entering the Tower: 180 RMB, accommodating up to 100 passengers at a time

The Guangzhou Tower Ferris Wheel mainly consists of sightseeing gondolas, a track system, boarding platforms, and a control system. Unlike traditional upright Ferris wheels, the 16 “crystal” sightseeing gondolas of the Guangzhou Tower Ferris Wheel are not suspended on a vertical track but instead move along an inclined one. The boarding platforms are divided into upper and lower passenger zones, with 1.2-meter-high safety sliding doors along the edges that move along with the gondolas to ensure an orderly and safe experience for visitors.

Each sightseeing gondola has a diameter of 3.2 meters and can accommodate 4–6 passengers; the gondola shell is made of a new type of polymer material that is crystal-clear, offering unobstructed views of the scenery outside the tower.

Time Needed

2 hours

Transportation

Metro: Take APM Line or Line 3 to Chigang Pagoda Station;

Bus: Take bus routes 121, 121A, 204, Night 42, or Tourist Line 2 to Chigang Pagoda Station.

Admission Ticket

Pearl River Photography Viewing Platform: 20 RMB;

White Cloud & Starry Sky Sightseeing Ticket: 150 RMB (107th Floor White Cloud Sightseeing Hall + 108th Floor Starry Sky Sightseeing Hall);

Vitality Carnival Two-for-One Combo Ticket: 228 RMB (White Cloud & Starry Sky Sightseeing Hall + Spider-Man Skywalk / 450 Photography Viewing Platform);

Guinness Carnival Two-for-One Combo Ticket: 298 RMB (White Cloud & Starry Sky Sightseeing Hall + Ferris Wheel / Drop Ride Experience);

Colorful Carnival Combo Ticket: 398 RMB (White Cloud & Starry Sky Sightseeing Hall + Spider-Man Skywalk + Vibration Reduction System Exhibition Hall + 450 Photography Viewing Platform + Ferris Wheel + Drop Ride Experience)

All-in-One Tower Access Combo Ticket: 498 RMB (White Cloud & Starry Sky Sightseeing Hall + Spider-Man Skywalk + Vibration Reduction System Exhibition Hall + 450 Photography Viewing Platform + Ferris Wheel + Drop Ride Experience + 488 Photography Viewing Platform, photos not included.)

Opening Hours

Sightseeing Floors (Areas C & E): 9:00–23:00;

Ferris Wheel: 17:00–23:00 (Monday), 10:00–23:00 (Tuesday–Sunday);

Drop Ride Experience: 12:00–23:00 (Monday), 10:00–23:00 (Tuesday–Sunday), 17:00–23:00 (last Monday of each month);

Spider-Man Skywalk: 9:00–23:00 (last admission at 22:15);

488 Photography Viewing Platform: 9:00–23:00;

450 Photography Viewing Platform: 9:00–23:00;

Second-Floor Pearl River Photography Viewing Platform: 9:00–23:00;

Vibration Reduction System Exhibition Hall: 9:00–23:00

Attraction Location

Yiyuan Road, Xingangzhong, Haizhu District, Guangzhou City