Don't just fly to Guangzhou for the Canton Fair and head straight back... without once setting foot on the summit of the Ping An International Finance Center and looking down at all of Shenzhen and Hong Kong from the 116th floor.
Standing at approximately 599–600 meters, the Ping An International Finance Center is the tallest building in Shenzhen and ranks among the tallest in the world; you can recognize it instantly on the Futian skyline.
The "must-try" spot is the Free Sky observation deck on the 116th floor, located about 541–548 meters above ground, offering a 360-degree view that captures all of Shenzhen, and on clear days, even reaches as far as Hong Kong, or further to Zhuhai and Macau.
The Free Sky experience is more than just a view: it features mirror corridors, light installations, an exhibit area showcasing the "Shenzhen miracle" after 40 years of reform, a zone to learn about the building's dampers, and especially glass floors and balconies for those who love the sensation of standing among the clouds.
From the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center (Futian), you only need to walk about 7 minutes to the Shopping Park station or even just walk straight through the CBD area to reach the base of the building, making it very convenient to fit in after the exhibition hours or on days off between Canton Fair sessions.
Free Sky is open from approximately 10:00 to 20:00 (weekends potentially until 21:00); multimedia elevators take you from the lobby to the 116th floor in just about 55 seconds—so try to time it for sunset to see both the city in daylight and the lights of Shenzhen and Hong Kong coming on from this "cloud observation station."
If you're coordinating with your fair schedule, would you rather squeeze in a visit to Ping An Free Sky in the evening after a long day at the Canton Fair, or set aside a free afternoon to enjoy coffee while overlooking the city from above at a more leisurely pace?
