IFC Tower: Iconic Skyscraper in Hong Kong

There are actually two IFC Hong Kong buildings, IFC1 and IFC2, but it’s the latter that grabs all the headlines and dominates the skyline. Standing 88 floors tall and measuring 420 meters, IFC 2 was the tallest building in Hong Kong before it was surpassed by the International Commerce Centre across the water in Kowloon. It’s still the tallest building on Hong Kong Island.

Standing on the shore of Victoria Harbour, the building towers over the Central business district. Inside, you can find Hong Kong’s banking and finance industry. The acronym IFC means International Finance Centre. On the lower floors are the swanky shops of the IFC Mall, while Hong Kong Station – the city’s main transport hub to Hong Kong Airport – is located in the basement.

If you think you might have seen this glass-draped skyscraper before, that’s probably thanks to Hollywood. IFC 2 has featured in Lara Croft Tomb Raider and also seen Batman leap from a ledge of the skyscraper during The Dark Knight.

Why Visit IFC Hong Kong

Aside from being a stunning skyscraper in its own right, IFC2 also affords breathtaking views across Hong Kong Harbour and onto the increasingly cluttered skyline of Kowloon. There are some great restaurants, both inside IFC2 and in the adjoining mall, that take advantage of the views. Better still is the al fresco, picnic strip on top of IFC Mall – one of Hong Kong’s best-kept secrets.

The Views

The best way to enjoy the view is from the viewing platform, although this is on floor 55 rather than the top of the building. It’s not an official viewing platform for the building, but the Hong Kong Monetary Authority Information office. However, you don’t need to be interested in coins and currency to pay them a visit – most visitors are here for the views.

You’ll first need to register with security on the ground floor of the building, and a photo ID is necessary before taking the lift up to floor 55. The viewing platform seems to be subject to regular closures, so it may be wise to phone ahead as well. Entry is completely free.

You can also take advantage of the restaurants in IFC2 and the IFC Mall. One of the best is Cuisine Cuisine, a cutting-edge Cantonese restaurant at the base of IFC 2 with floor-to-ceiling window views of the harbor, recognized as one of the top five restaurants in Hong Kong for dim sum.

Alternatively, enjoy the garden on top of the IFC Mall. There are a couple of restaurants that offer unobstructed views of the harbor. Furthermore, you can visit the City Super supermarket in the mall below and have a picnic on the roof garden benches. By night, this area transforms into one of Hong Kong’s more popular al fresco drinking spots.

How to Get There

IFC2 is conveniently connected to both the Central MTR station and Hong Kong Station, which is served by the Airport Express. Moreover, the Star Ferry, from Tsim Sha Tsui, also arrives under the shadow of IFC2, providing another great way to experience the harbor and skyline. The official address is 1 Finance Street, although simply stating IFC 2 will suffice for taxi drivers.