historicalShanghai
Oriental Pearl Tower
Standing 468 meters tall, this distinctive TV tower with its pink spheres has been Shanghai's most recognizable landmark since 1994. The tower features multiple observation decks including a transparent glass floor at 259m, a revolving restaurant, and the excellent Shanghai History Museum in its base. At night, it transforms into a spectacular LED light display.
Opening Hours
8:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Ticket Price
observation deck experience in Shanghai: ¥199
Location
1 Century Avenue, Pudong New District, Shanghai
Overview
The Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower, located in Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai, is a landmark of the city, standing 468 meters tall. Its design is inspired by the poetic imagery of "large and small pearls falling onto a jade plate." A tour of the entire site (including queuing) takes approximately 2-3 hours. The best time to visit is during spring and autumn (March-May or September-November), when the weather is most comfortable. If choosing a specific time of day, it is highly recommended to ascend the tower around 4 PM, allowing you to enjoy the daytime, sunset, and dazzling nighttime views all at once.
How to Get There
The most convenient way to get to the Oriental Pearl Tower is to take Metro Line 2 or 14 to Lujiazui Station. Alternatively, you can take several bus routes (such as 81 and 799) and get off at the Lujiazui Ring Road/Fenghe Road stop. The classic route is from top to bottom: first experience the 263-meter main observation deck, then descend to the 259-meter transparent suspended observation corridor, and finally visit the Shanghai Urban History Development Exhibition Hall, experiencing the charm of old Shanghai in one place. After the tour, you can walk to the nearby Lujiazui "three-piece set" (Lujiazui landmarks, shopping mall, and shopping center) or the riverside promenade to continue exploring.
What to Expect
The Oriental Pearl Tower boasts a well-designed layout, primarily utilizing elevators and spacious indoor walkways, making it ideal for families. Multiple clean and clearly marked public restrooms are available throughout the tower. Notably, free Wi-Fi is available in all observation decks, along with charging stations for rent, allowing you to easily share your photos. Friendly reminder: During holidays, the tower can be very crowded; please watch your step while walking.
Practical Tips
- 1Book online to skip the ticket queue
- 2The glass floor at 259m is thrilling but crowded
- 3Shanghai History Museum in the base is excellent and free with tower ticket
- 4Less crowded on weekday mornings
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