Top 5 Architectural Wonders of IM Pei

Written By: The Planet D

As you may know, Dave and I are not experts in the field of architecture, so when an interesting email comes our way that can teach us about the structures of IM Pei, who designed some of the most iconic structures around the world, we make sure to share it with you. 

Top 5 Architectural Wonders of IM Pei

The first building of IM Pei is the Louvre of Paris.

We have visited the Louvre, but we knew that it caused a lot of controversies when it was designed and we knew that we enjoyed the opposing periods of architectural design on the grounds, but we never looked into the man that actually constructed the glass pyramid that we have all come to know so well.

Our first visit to the Louvre in Paris
Our first visit to the Louvre in Paris

He apparently has designed buildings all over the world and here are his top 5.

A round the world holiday trip to experience the architectural genius of I.M. Pei.

The architectural work of leoh Ming Pei is truly phenomenal to behold. Since graduating from MIT in 1940 with a degree in Architecture, I.M. Pei has been creating amazing structures which are simply breathtaking.

Pei’s work can be seen all over the world, and experiencing his staggering and sometimes controversial works first-hand is a must.

You may only get to see one or two of his inspirational designs, but for architectural enthusiasts, all inclusive holidays such as a Pei-themed round the world trip could provide the travel experience of a lifetime.

Here are five of the best picks of Pei’s buildings from around the world.

L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, Washington DC

Starting in America, L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington DC is one of the first major projects that Pei worked on.

im pei architecture washington dc

Situated in the heart of DC near the National Mall, Smithsonian Museums and Benjamin Park, the hotel is elegantly decorated and a great place to stay to experience Pei’s architecture and Washington’s attractions.

Miho Museum, Japan

Travelling west from America to Japan, architecture fans will be able to marvel at the Miho Museum.

im pei structure in japan Mihoko Koyama
Mihoko Koyama, Japan

Situated in Kyoto, the museum houses the extensive private collection of Mihoko Koyama, with over 2,000 antiques from Asian and Western cultures.

Carved into the mountain the building is an astonishing visual achievement from Pei.

Bank of China Tower, Hong Kong

Working further west from Japan to Hong Kong is a fantastic building built for the Bank of China in Asia’s city that never sleeps.

hong kong skyline
Bank of China is right in the centre of downtown Hong Kong

The asymmetrical tower provides over 130,000 square metres of office space for the Bank of China, in a stunning building which is both practical and beautiful.

Working to a tight budget of just $130 million Pei used all his architectural guile to produce this wonder.

Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar

Continuing the global tour of Pei’s architecture is the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha.

Museum of Islamic Art in Doha by im pei

Qatar’s educational project brings together pieces of Islamic art including manuscripts, ceramics and textiles ranging from the 7th to the 19th century.

Pei’s design was inspired by the Mosque of Ahmad Ibn Tulun in Egypt.

The Louvre, Paris

Paris’ most famous museum attracted no small amount of criticism when Pei’s design for a glass pyramid for the entrance was initially approved.

louvre paris at night reflections

The final construction is not only an impressive structure but also acts as a huge skylight for the museum’s central location, which leads to three separate wings.

The perfect end to a Pei world tour of architecture in the city of love.

Read more:

Photo Credits

John Weiss – Flickr Creative Commons Licence 

photo by MV Jansen License

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor.

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

  • Safety Wing - Occasional Travelers.
  • Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Book Your Activities: Looking for walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more? Then we recommend Get Your Guide.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine, the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

Leave a Comment

13 thoughts on “Top 5 Architectural Wonders of IM Pei”

  1. I actually found pyramid building in Hong Kong that was abandoned for over 10 years, it looked highly architectural, ultra modern and would not have been cheap to build, they refused to knock it down because the council believed it was haunted!

    Reply
  2. Wow, I guess I’ve been ignorant about architects. I didn’t know that the Bank of China in HongKong and Louvre’s pyramid are related this way. I want to see the Bank of China one day. I have seen it a lot only in picture, and it’s so pretty. The only one from above list that I’ve seen is Louvre, and I’m sorry to say that I’m one of those people who don’t think the glass pyramid is a good match with the rest of the buildings. The pyramid is gorgeous, yes, I agree with that. I just wished it was somewhere else 🙂
    .-= Dina´s last blog ..10 Spectacular Natural Wonders in New Zealand’s North Island =-.

    Reply
    • I really have to work on my architectural history as well. It’s not the first thing that we research when we travel, but when we hit cities, we really should know more about it’s architecture. I love guest posts like this because I learn something new. I hadn’t known the first thing about any of the buildings in the articles. The Bank of China wasn’t even a thought in my mind. But now, we are going to Hong Kong next month and we will definitely have to go and check it out!

      Reply
  3. I’ve only seen Louvre out of this list. I.M.Pei is amazing.
    .-= Laura´s last blog ..Acadia National Park- A Great Fall Destination =-.

    Reply
  4. The above five architectural designs are the memorable and unforgettable masterpieces of classic and stylish architecture in the world. It provides an inspiration for other architects to show their skills and creative wonders to the world.

    Reply
  5. Gorgeous pics! It’s not well known, but I.M. Pei’s fingerprints are all over Dallas where I live. He has multiple buildings downtown, but the most famous is the blue-green skyscraper, Fountain Place (named after the public fountains nearby.
    .-= Jennifer Barry´s last blog ..Live Richly Round Up 4 =-.

    Reply
  6. Growing up in Boston there was always the JFK Library and Hancock Tower that are both his works. But I just read the Wikipedia article and had no idea the Hancock Tower was considered one of his biggest disappointments! It always look impressive to me.

    And that Bank of China tower is an incredible structure to look at, especially at night from a short distance away.
    .-= Earl´s last blog ..How To Travel When It’s Ridiculously Hot Outside =-.

    Reply
  7. The bank of China tower in Hong Kong was one of my favorite buildings, standing out in the crazy Hong Kong skyline. At night all those diamond shapes and triangular lines are lit up to look spectacular!
    .-= Migrationology´s last blog ..20 Detail Photos of Angkor Wat =-.

    Reply
  8. Oh, I love architecture so this is a new name to me! Very cool. Loves his triangles, eh?

    Did you know the building in Hong Kong is feared by locals because it has really really bad feng shui. Unsuprisingly – to them – it has been hit far more often by lightening than any other building around it (even taller ones).
    .-= Andy Hayes | Sharing Travel Experiences´s last blog ..Keeping in Touch while On the Road =-.

    Reply
  9. Only had the pleasure of going the ‘The Lourve’ however all look absolutely fascinating would love to see his designs in my hometown london, or maybe give me an excuse to take another holiday!?

    Reply