Eight towering Chinese skyscrapers that highlight sky high aspirations

Last year saw the completion of more towers of 200 metres or over than any other year on record.

According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), a record 97 buildings of 200 metres or higher were built in 2014, 11 of which were "supertalls" – buildings 300 metres or taller.

Only 30 of last year's 200 metre plus buildings are from outside of Asia, with China contributing 58 of the completed towers.

After last year's record breaking year of skyscraper construction, there are a total of 935 buildings that surpass the 200 metre high mark in existence around the world.

Here are eight of Property Observer's favourite Chinese skyscrapers of last year.

• Wangjing SOHO, Beijing

Source: Zaha Hadid Architects

The three-tower Wangjin SOHO complex was designed by architectural superstar Zaha Hadid. Hadid's signature curved forms are on display, though this project was slightly less controversially curvaceous than Al Wakrah Stadium, despite allegations that the project's designs have been plagiarised.

Height: 200 metres

• The Wharf Times Square 1, Wuxi

Source: 苏宁广场

China's tallest skyscraper contribution of 2014 – and the third tallest skyscraper to be built last year – is the Wharf Times Square 1. Designed by Aeda, the mixed use building holds a hotel and office spaces over its 68 floors.

Height: 339 metres

• Wuxi Suning Plaza 1, Wuxi

Source: RTKL

Wuxi has also laid claim to the fourth tallest tower built last year, the Wuxi Suning Plaza 1. The 328 metre tall building has an angular top and is designed for mixed use. It was developed by Suning Real Estate Group, and designed by RTKL.

Height: 328 metres

• Soochow International Plaza Towers, Huzhow

Source: Dadongwu Group

The two (East and West) Soochow International Plaza towers come in at 288 metres. The dual tower complex is perfectly symmetrical, with matching zig-zags on the façade of each tower. Dadongwu Group developed the project.

Height: 228 metres

• R&F Yingkai Square, Guangzhou

Source: 探长

The wiggly R&F Yingkai Square might look like a behemoth in any other city. But among Guangzhou's towers, it blends right in. Formerly known as the Park Hyatt Guangzhou Mixed Use Tower, R&F Yinkai Square was designed by Goettsch Partners. It's the 13th tallest building to be constructed in 2014.

Height: 296 metres

• Fortune Financial Centre, Beijing

Source: Servcorp

Beijing's Fortune Financial Centre comes in at 267 metres, making it this 20th tallest building constructed in 2014. The offices of major companies, including Intel, Toshiba, Dell and Ford, as well as Australian company Servcorp, are the primary occupants of the tower.

Height: 267 metres

• Heung Kong Tower, Shenzen

Source: 1788111 via skycrapercity.com

The Heung Kong Tower is one of many "supertalls" in Shenzen, but stands apart in its neighbourhood, and is reportedly the tallest in the area. It was designed by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design, according to CBTUH, and is also known as the Shenzen ChangCheng Center. It was the ninth tallest tower

Height: 303 metres

• Wuxi Maoye City – Marriott Hotel, Wuxi

Source: abjest

Yet another Wuxi supertall, this tower was the eighth tallest to be built last year, began construction in 2008 and the 88th tallest in the world (for now).