Hong Kong International Finance Centre (IFC)

Hong Kong International Finance Centre (IFC) is a famous landmark in Hong Kong as a world-class financial center. It is located in No.8 Finance Street, Central, in Hong Kong Island, facing the Victoria Harbor. It was developed by the Corporation (now MTR Corporation), Sun Hung Kai Properties, Henderson Land, Hong Kong China Gas and IFC Development Limited and designed by the famous American architect, César Pelli, and Hong Kong architect, Rocco. It has a total gross floor area of 436,000 square meters. And is now the headquarters of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Henderson Group.
 

Admission Fees

• Most areas of IFC are free to enter, with specific access details:
• IFC Mall & Public Areas: No admission fees. The mall is open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
• Rooftop Garden (P4 Level): A hidden gem offering panoramic views, completely free for public access. Enter via IFC Mall and take the lift to the 4th floor podium. No reservations or tickets are required.
• Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) Exhibition Hall: Located in Two IFC, free guided tours are available by registering at the lobby reception with a valid passport or Hong Kong ID. No advance booking is needed for individual visitors.

Observatory Decks/Restaurants: While the rooftop garden is free, premium viewing experiences at restaurants like Shake Shack's outdoor seating or fine-dining venues require purchases but offer unobstructed harbour views.
 

Architectural features

1.  The International Finance Centre is one of the few buildings in the world that adopts double-decker elevators. There are 62 elevators in the second phase of the International Finance Centre. It only takes 2 minutes to reach the top floor at the 90th floor by elevator from the ground floor. There are 2,500 steps in total. 2. All staff working in the two office towers of the International Finance Centre have been issued with an Octopus card for security checks when entering and leaving the buildings.
3. The entire International Finance Centre has a total of 140,000 square feet of public recreational areas and 1,800 parking spaces.
4. During the peak construction period of Phase II of the International Finance Centre, 3,500 people were working simultaneously on the project, and it took an average of 3 days to build each floor.

Construction Background

In the 1990s, the Hong Kong British government announced the Hong Kong Airport Core Programme, which included the construction of the Airport Express to connect Hong Kong International Airport with Central, and reclamation works in Victoria Harbour opposite Central on Hong Kong Island to build the MTR Hong Kong Station. The area above the station was planned to be developed with multiple commercial buildings, hotels and shopping malls, which is now the International Finance Centre. The project involved the demolition of some existing facilities such as the Queen's Pier and the Star Ferry Pier, and the construction of several new roads to connect the new buildings. The developer held an architectural design competition for the project, which was won by the American architect César Pelli.


IFC is one of the few buildings built with double elevators in the world. There are a total of 62 lifts. It only takes two minutes from the ground floor to the top 90 by elevator.
 

Building Data

• IFC Phase I: It is 210 meters high, with 38 floors above ground and 4 floors underground, and a floor area of 72,850 square meters. It is an office building with 18 elevators and is mainly rented by large financial institutions.
• IFC Phase II: It is 415.8 meters high, with 88 floors above ground (actually 90 floors in the architectural structure) and 6 floors underground, and a floor area of 185,805 square meters. It is the second tallest building in Hong Kong and the sixth tallest building in the world. It has 62 elevators and can accommodate 15,000 people in the office floors.
• IFC Mall: It has 4 floors above ground, covering an area of 800,000 square feet. It is connected to the lobby of the Hong Kong Station of the Airport Express and brings together more than 200 international brand merchants, as well as facilities such as cinemas and restaurants.
• Hong Kong Four Seasons Hotel: It is the hotel part of the IFC, managed by the Four Seasons Hotel Group, and opened in September 2005.
• Four Seasons Place: It is a serviced apartment hotel next to the Four Seasons Hotel, providing six-star hotel services.
   

Best Viewing Spots

For unforgettable vistas of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong's skyline, these locations stand out:

1. IFC Podium Rooftop Garden

Named one of Kowloon's top tourist attractions, this garden provides sweeping views of Tsim Sha Tsui and the ICC (International Commerce Centre) light show. Features include landscaped greenery, seating areas, and the "Flux" art installation by Korean artist Ahn Pil-Yun. It's ideal for sunset photography and watching the "Symphony of Lights" at 8:00 PM nightly.

2. Two IFC Lobby Viewing Area

After registering for the HKMA tour, visitors can access high-floor views overlooking Central's financial district and Victoria Harbour. This insider spot offers unique perspectives of skyscrapers and maritime traffic.

3. IFC Mall Waterfront Promenade

Connected via footbridges, the promenade outside IFC provides ground-level harbour views. It's particularly popular during festivals for fireworks displays, with unobstructed sightlines of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre across the water.
 

How to Get There

International Financial Center connects the underlying footbridge system. The adjacent buildings include Exchange Square, Hong Kong Post Office and Central Pier. There are bus terminus, taxi stands, parking and other transportation facilities around the building.

MTR (Mass Transit Railway)

The most convenient way is via Hong Kong Station (Airport Express/East Rail Line), with a 1-minute walk from Exit F directly to IFC Mall. Alternatively, alight at Central Station (Island Line/Tsuen Wan Line) and take a 5-minute stroll through covered walkways. For travelers arriving by airport, the Airport Express takes just 24 minutes from Hong Kong International Airport to Hong Kong Station.
 

Bus Routes

Numerous bus lines serve the area, including routes 1, 2, 3A, 7, 91, 101, 182, 5X, 6, 681, 621, and 679. Key stops include "IFC Mall" and "Central (Hong Kong Station)", both within a 5-minute walk of the complex.
 

Ferry & Other Options

From Tsim Sha Tsui, take the Star Ferry to Central Pier 7, then walk 8 minutes to IFC. Taxis are readily available throughout Hong Kong, with fares starting from approximately HK$30-50 from nearby districts like Admiralty.
 

Pro Tips

1. Visit the rooftop garden 30 minutes before sunset to capture both daytime and twilight views.
2. The garden tends to be less crowded on weekdays, offering quieter viewing opportunities.
3. Combine your visit with a shopping spree in IFC Mall, home to over 200 luxury brands and gourmet restaurants.
4. For real-time updates, check the official website at ifc.com.hk or follow their social media for special events and promotions.