Recently during my vacation, I finally checked off the long-awaited Chicago from my bucket list. To be honest, when I first set foot in this city, I was completely stunned. Walking along Michigan Avenue, looking up made me gasp in amazement. Skyscrapers reaching for the clouds, each building like a thick history album, telling the story of this city's ups and downs.
As an architecture enthusiast, I had long heard that Chicago was the birthplace of modern architecture. But seeing these legendary buildings in person, the impact still left me in awe for a long time. The buildings along the streets showcase vastly different styles, from the elegance of classical architecture to the boldness of post-modernism, and the exquisite glamour of art deco. This diverse architectural style makes the entire city both historically rich and modern.
Among all the ways to explore, what attracted me most was the architectural boat tour on the Chicago River. This was definitely one of my most memorable experiences in Chicago, and the most unique way of city sightseeing I've ever encountered.
When it comes to viewing architecture, I can responsibly tell everyone that viewing from the water is absolutely the best choice! I took the 45-minute architectural tour departing from Michigan Avenue Dock, and this route was simply perfect for photographers.
The boat weaves between the north and south branches of the Chicago River, showing you the architectural wonders on both banks. Looking up at these skyscrapers from the water level, the perspective is incredible! The buildings shimmer in their reflections on the water, sometimes gleaming in the sunlight, sometimes appearing deep and mysterious in the shadows. This unique viewing experience is something you can never get while standing on the ground.
Riverside walkways and green parks are scattered tastefully, forming a striking contrast with the towering skyscrapers. As the boat slowly moves through the river, the building clusters on both shores unfold like a gradual scroll painting, overwhelming the eyes. Especially when passing the corners of buildings, their edges create stunning light and shadow effects in the sunlight.
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I was most delighted to meet an excellent guide on this boat tour. She was a Chicago native who graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology's architecture department. Her passion for architecture and professional knowledge made the entire journey particularly fascinating.
Take the Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower, for example. This black giant standing on Chicago's skyline is stunning just by its appearance. The guide told us that this building uses a revolutionary "bundled tube" structural system. Simply put, it's like imagining the building as a bundle of straws, with each straw being an independent steel tube. These steel tubes bundled together can not only bear enormous weight but also effectively resist Chicago's strong winds.
The guide also shared many interesting stories. For instance, why did the designers choose an all-black exterior? It turns out this was to pay tribute to traditional Chicago architectural style. The black anodized aluminum and bronze-tinted glass used on the Willis Tower's exterior create subtle color variations in sunlight, making this massive structure appear less heavy.
When we passed the John Hancock Center, the guide specifically mentioned the building's structural innovations. It uses an external bracing system that not only increases the building's stability but also creates a unique exterior design. These intersecting steel frames, like giant "X"s, leave a distinctive mark on Chicago's skyline.
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