Oriental Pearl Tower / Lujiazui
东方明珠广播电视塔
The 468-metre Oriental Pearl Tower, together with the 632-metre Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center, forms the Pudong skyline. Go up for a bird's-eye view of both banks of the Huangpu River.
Lujiazui is the financial heart of Pudong New Area, home to three towering skyscrapers. Shanghai Tower (632 metres) has an observation deck on its 118th floor called 'Top of Shanghai,' with tickets at RMB 180. It is China's tallest building. Shanghai World Financial Center (492 metres), nicknamed the 'bottle opener,' has the Sky Deck on its 100th floor, with tickets at about RMB 180. Jin Mao Tower (420 metres) has an observation deck on its 88th floor for RMB 120. You can also visit the 54th-floor lobby of the Grand Hyatt hotel in the tower for free views of the atrium. The Oriental Pearl Tower (468 metres, completed in 1994) is Shanghai's most recognisable landmark. Its main observation level at 263 metres has a glass-floored walkway, and the 259-metre 'space capsule' has a revolving restaurant. Tickets cost about RMB 199 to 240. The ground floor houses the Shanghai Urban History Exhibition Hall, which is worth a visit. If you have to choose just one tower: to photograph the Oriental Pearl itself, go to Shanghai Tower or Jin Mao Tower. For the classic experience, choose the Oriental Pearl. The elevated ring walkways at street level connect the three towers with Super Brand Mall and IFC Mall. These walkways are excellent spots for photographing the skyscrapers. The Binjiang Avenue, which runs south from the Oriental Pearl to Laobaidu, is ideal for a stroll with views of the Bund across the river. The lights on both banks are especially beautiful after sunset. Getting there: take Metro Line 2 to Lujiazui Station and exit at Exit 1 to reach the Oriental Pearl directly. From the Bund, you can take the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel (RMB 50 one way, an average experience) or ride the ferry across the river. All towers require real-name ticketing. Weekend queues are long, so book online and choose a time slot.
Opening hours
Oriental Pearl Tower 8:30am–9:30pm; Shanghai Tower observation deck 8:30am–10:00pm
Nearby sights
- Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
- Museum of Art Pudong
- Jin Mao Tower
- Shanghai Tower Top of Shanghai Observatory
- The Bund
- Shanghai World Financial Center Observatory
- Garden Bridge (Waibaidu Bridge) & North Bund
- Huangpu River Cruise