As Canton Tower celebrates its 15th anniversary, Dutch architect Mark Hemel,the designer of this iconic landmark, recently revisited Canton Tower with his family.

Fifteen years ago, Hemel designed the tower with a vision to integrate architecture deeply with urban culture. Today, the Canton Tower is no longer a simple observation tower. It has evolved into a full-fledged tourist destination, featuring attractions such as the Ferris wheel that runs along a slanted track, Sky Drop and the Alpha Adventure Park. It also offers dining, cultural and creative experiences and the Pearl River Cruise. In 2024, Canton Tower Plaza officially opened as an international high-end shopping mall that combines fashion and luxury.

After experiencing these activities with his family, Hemel was very thrilled. "These new experiences exceeded my expectations," he said. "The Spider-Man-style walkway ("Spider-Man Sky-walk") was exhilarating, and the city view from the Ferris wheel was breathtaking."

Hemel believes the tower is not just standing, but is growing, continuously bringing joy and surprises to residents and tourists.

According to data, in 2024, the Canton Tower welcomed an average of 165,000 visitors per day. More than 300,000 international tourists visited the tower and cruised along the Pearl River during the year.

Source:PEARL

广州塔设计师携家人重访：惊叹它的“生长”！

在广州塔开业15周年之际，广州塔设计师——荷兰建筑师马克·海默尔近日携全家一行再次到访广州塔。

15年前，马克·海默尔怀揣着将建筑与城市文化深度融合的理念设计广州塔。15年后的广州塔早已不是当初那个单一的观光塔，而是集横向摩天轮、极速云霄、阿尔法探索乐园等多种游乐体验于一身的综合性旅游区。此外，广州塔还拥有餐饮、文创和珠江游项目，2024年定位为国际潮奢高端购物广场的广州塔广场正式开业。

马克·海默尔和家人亲自体验了这些项目后，难掩兴奋之情。“这些全新的体验超出了我的想象。”他表示，“那个像蜘蛛侠一样的项目（蜘蛛侠栈道）很刺激，在摩天轮上俯瞰城市的景色更是美极了。”

马克·海默尔认为广州塔不仅矗立着，更在“生长”着，持续为市民和游客创造着惊喜与欢乐。

数据显示，2024年广州塔日均人流16.5万人次，到广州塔旅游区登塔和进行珠江游的外国游客超30万人次。

文丨记者 李焕坤 通讯员 吕嘉欣
翻译丨盛嘉
英文审校丨肖凯欣