But Spencer Dickerson, the head of a contract tower association, said top FAA officials made clear in a Monday conference call that the agency intends to close contract 173 towers on April 7, and another 16 towers on September 30, the end of the fiscal year.

CNN: Airports can make case to keep their control towers open

Besides the top-of-the-line specs, these new workhorses give gamers the chance to personalize their paint jobs through a "revolutionary painting process" that may help you forget that your tower isn't shaped like the head of an alien.

ENGADGET: Commodore unveils boutique gaming rigs at CeBIT

Head for the Bank of China Tower designed by China-born American architect IM Pei in 1990.

BBC: The amazing views of Hong Kong

Before dusk, head west toward the Drum and Bell Tower, located at the south of Hou Hai lake on Gulou Dajie, where you can wiggle your way down the hutongs once more.

BBC: Peddling in the old kingdom of bicycles

On Friday, the FAA arranged a second conference call, retracting without explanation the earlier call, according to Spencer Dickerson, head of the U.S. Control Tower Association.

CNN: Airport towers get temporary reprieve