Designed by I. M. Pei and L.C Pei of I.M Pei and Partners, the Bank of China Tower is one of the most iconic skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island. The building's design inspiration was derived from the elegant poise of bamboo as its sectioned trunk is propelled higher and higher by each new growth, symbolizing strength, vitality and growth aspirations of the Chinese bank. The tower's mega-structural steelwork is expressed externally by naturally anodized panels that form part of the facade.

Also called BOC Tower, the building's main structural height is 1,033.5 ft (315 m) with two masts reaching 1,205.4 ft (367.4 m) high. The tower was the tallest building in Hong Kong and Asia from 1989 to 1992 until the completion of Central Plaza, and the first building outside the United States to break the 1,000 ft (305 m) mark. The building was completed with a restricted budget then available and its designed caused much controversy with the adjacent HSBC building designed by Foster.