Oriental Pearl Tower – Tickets, Highlights, and Tips

oriental pearl tower

The oriental pearl tower (东方明珠) was built in 1991, put in use in 1994, and opened to the public in 1995. Standing at 468 meters (1535 feet), It is one of the earliest skyscrapers in Shanghai and still the sixth-highest building in Asia, 9th highest building worldwide. It is the pride and icon of this metropolis, and there was even a popular song about it in the late 1990s.

It includes three major spheres at 1148 feet, 876 feet, and 296 feet, respectively, and is integrated with various functions, like sightseeing, dining, shopping, entertaining, exhibition, performance, and transmitting TV and radio signals.


Table of Contents


Basic information

Websitehttps://www.orientalpearltower.com/
Estimated Length of tour1-3 hours
Opening hours09.00 – 21.00 throughout the year
Last entry20.30

Ticket price

ticket price of oriental pearl tower
The TowerPackage A: 220 RMB: 3 spheres + Shanghai history museum on the ground floor
Package B: 219 RMB: The lowest and second spheres + Shanghai history museum and landmark gallery on the ground floor
Package C: 199 RMB: The lowest and second spheres + Shanghai history museum on the ground floor
The Revolving RestaurantPackage D: 368 RMB: The lowest and second spheres + Shanghai history museum on the ground floor + buffet in the revolving restaurant
Package E: 458 RMB for two people: The second sphere + afternoon tea in the revolving restaurant
The CruisePackage F: 259 RMB: The lowest and second spheres + Shanghai history museum on the ground floor + cruise trip on Huangpu River (45 minutes)
Package G: 160 RMB: Cruise trip on Huangpu River in a stateroom (45 minutes)
Package H: 130 RMB: Cruise trip on Huangpu River in first class (45 minutes)
Childrenenjoy a half-price discount between 1 and 1.4 meters
free of charge below 1 meter

Location and Transportation

The Oriental Pearl TV tower is located in Lujiazui, in the Pudong district, right opposite the bund across the Huangpu River. To get there, you can take the bus, subway, or drive yourself.

Bus: Take bus 82 or 314 and get off at Lujiazui Huanlu Fenghelu Station.

Subway: Take subway line 2, get off at Lujiazui Station, leave the station from exit 2 and walk northwest for about 370 meters

Self-drive: There are plenty of parking lots near the Oriental Pearl Tower. You never need to worry about the parking space.


Highlights of Oriental Pearl Tower

A bird’s eye view of the city

A bird’s eye view of Shanghai in oriental pearl tower

As one of the highest buildings in Shanghai, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the metropolis in the highest sphere (the Space Module) at 351 meters (1151 feet). According to the reviews of former tourists, it is the most impressive scenery when the night falls, and various landscape lights are turned on.


Transparent sky walking

Transparent sky walking in oriental pearl tower

The floor of the lower deck in the second sphere at 259 meters (849 feet) is made of transparent glass. Stepping on it is like walking in the air, and you can see the landscapes, roads, cars, and people right beneath you. It is a huge challenge to your gut and not very friendly to those with heart diseases.


Revolving restaurant

Revolving restaurant in oriental pearl tower

Also, in the second sphere, there is a revolving restaurant providing a buffet at 267 meters (875 feet). It finishes a full rotation in two hours. If you are not in a hurry, you may have a romantic dinner here and fully appreciate the night view of Shanghai.


Shanghai history museum

Shanghai history museum in oriental pearl tower

The Shanghai Urban History Exhibition Hall is located at the base of the Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower. It showcases over 80 exhibits through various sections, including Urban Landscape, Opening Port Overview, The Bund, Old Shanghai, Architectural Expo, and the Spring and Autumn of Transport. The hall features hundreds of precious historical artifacts, over a hundred scaled-down historical buildings, 117 high-quality wax figures, and thousands of small wax figures and clay figurines. These exhibits reflect the development of Shanghai’s urban history.


Vlog about Oriental Pearl Tower


Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews

Optimal Visiting Time: Mornings typically have fewer visitors compared to the afternoon, especially if you’re not specifically going to see the night view. It’s recommended to visit in the morning, especially during important holidays, as the crowds tend to be lighter. Arriving around 8 a.m. is advisable for a more comfortable experience.

Reducing Queue Time: Consider purchasing tickets for the revolving buffet restaurant located in the upper half of the Oriental Pearl Tower’s second sphere at a height of 267 meters. The restaurant rotates once every two hours. However, there are time restrictions for dining: 1.5 hours for lunch and 2 hours for dinner. The advantage of dining here is that you can access the restaurant through the fast-track lane, and after dining, you can directly descend the stairs to the second sphere.

Photography Tips: The second sphere has many pillars, which may obstruct clear shots of people. However, descending one level from the second sphere (use the stairs) will lead you to the fully transparent glass-bottomed skywalk, which offers excellent photo opportunities.

Third Sphere Experience: The third sphere, which is the smallest one, houses a mini space capsule with a diameter of only 16 meters. It is 90 meters higher than the second sphere, offering a similar view but at an additional cost of 100 yuan. Many visitors regret spending the extra money, as the view is comparable to that of the second sphere. Therefore, it’s advisable to skip this option unless you are particularly interested in the novelty.


Interesting Facts


Attractions Near Oriental Pearl Tower

Subscribe
Notify of
6 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Trip Affiliate