Zifeng Tower and Xinjiekou Skyline

Zifeng Tower, also known as the Greenland Financial Center, is a skyscraper of about 450 metres in Gulou District, Nanjing, Jiangsu province, near the Xinjiekou commercial hub. Completed around 2010, it is among the tallest buildings in China and dominates the city's skyline with a tapering, faceted form and a crown that is lit at night. The main photographic frame is the tower rising above the surrounding streets and lower buildings of Xinjiekou, seen either from ground level with a wide-angle lens, from nearby rooftops and bridges, or from the observation deck, where the city, Xuanwu Lake and the Yangtze River can be seen on a clear day. The tower faces the city in all directions, so orientation depends on the vantage point, but the best conditions are blue hour and night, when the illuminated tower stands out against a deep blue sky and the traffic below produces light trails. October to March generally gives the clearest air, since summer humidity and seasonal haze can hide the top of the tower. Crowds are moderate around the base and the Xinjiekou shopping streets in the evening, and tripod positions on sidewalks are available but can be blocked by pedestrians; setting up at the edge of a plaza or an overpass gives more room. The observation deck charges a ticket, and tripods are typically restricted there and the glass can cause reflections, so a lens hood or dark cloth helps. Tripod use on public streets is generally tolerated if it does not obstruct pedestrians, while security staff around the tower may ask visitors to move. Drones are restricted in central Nanjing and near tall buildings and should not be assumed permitted. Restrooms, malls and cafes are plentiful in the Xinjiekou district.