The Shanghai Tower (上海中心大厦) is a colossal skyscraper and iconic landmark in Shanghai, China. It stands as the tallest building in China and the third tallest globally. Construction began on November 29, 2008, and the main structure was completed on March 12, 2016.
Primarily used for offices, hotels, retail spaces, and observation decks, the Shanghai Tower features 127 above-ground floors, reaching a height of 632 meters, and includes a five-story basement. The podium comprises seven floors, with five above ground and two below, measuring 38 meters in height. The total construction area is approximately 578,000 square meters, with about 410,000 square meters above ground and 168,000 square meters below ground, all on a land area of 30,368 square meters.
The Shanghai Tower has achieved LEED-CS Platinum certification for its green building standards and has received numerous prestigious awards. These include the MIPIM People’s Choice Award, the American Architecture Prize (AAP) Annual Design Award, the 15th China Civil Engineering Zhan Tianyou Award, and the 2019 BOMA Global Innovation Award. These accolades underscore its architectural excellence and innovative design, making it not only a marvel of engineering but also a model of sustainability and modern design.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Shanghai Tower
- Vlog about Shanghai Tower
- Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
- Interesting Facts
- Attractions Near Shanghai Tower
Basic Information
| Website | https://www.shanghaitower.com/ |
| Estimated length of tour | 1-3 hours |
| Ticket price | Adult: 180 RMB Children (1 – 1.4 meters): 90 RMB Children under 1 meter or 3 years old: Free Senior citizens above 60 years old: 90 RMB |
| Opening hours | 08.30-22.00; Last entry: 21.30 |
Location and Transportation
Shanghai Tower is located in Lujiazui Financial Center, Pudong District. Around it are Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Oriental Pearl Tower, and the Bund. It is the most prosperous area in Shanghai and has perfect infrastructure.
Bus: Take No. 583 or 939, get off at Huayuan Shiqiaolu Dongtailu Stop, and the tower is right to your south.
Subway: Take subway line 2 or 14, get off at Lujiazui Station, and walk southeast about 200 meters
Self-drive: You can park your car on B3, which is open to the public. The fare is 15 RMB per hour.
Highlights of Shanghai Tower
Shanghai Tower Observatory
The Shanghai Tower Observatory, also known as “Top of Shanghai,” is located on the 118th and 119th floors of the Shanghai Tower, covering an area of over 1,000 square meters. The observatory features a triangular ring layout with expansive floor-to-ceiling transparent glass walls. The two floors offer viewing platforms at heights of 546 meters and 552 meters, respectively, providing a 360-degree panoramic view of Shanghai’s cityscape. Visitors can experience the sensation of standing atop the highest point in Shanghai. Additionally, on the 125th floor, there is a display area dedicated to the tower’s 1,000-ton damper, which plays a crucial role in stabilizing the building. The observatory is also equipped with the world’s fastest elevator, which travels at a speed of 18 meters per second.
Sky Lobbies
Shanghai Tower features several high-ceiling, transparent sky lobbies located on the elevator transfer floors of the main building, specifically on the 22nd, 37th, 52nd, and 68th floors. Each sky lobby is designed with three sky gardens due to the double curtain wall design.
- 22nd Floor Sky Lobby: This lobby includes amenities such as a fitness center, a dental clinic, and an executive dining area. It houses the Golden Collar Station, providing a public space for activities and interactions among white-collar workers in the Lujiazui area.
- 37th Floor Sky Lobby: This lobby features the Shanghai Guanfu Museum and the world’s highest indoor classical Chinese garden, the Ban Mu Yuan.
- 52nd and 68th Floor Sky Lobbies: These lobbies introduce high-end establishments, including bookstores and Michelin-starred dining options, enriching the overall experience for guests with a blend of leisure and luxury.
Olive Square
Designed by Dutch architect Alfonso Wolbert and located on the 37th floor, Olive Square is a Western-style garden showcasing stone columns, totems, and symbols representing eight ancient lost civilizations – Mycenaean, Babylonian, Etruscan, Ancient Egyptian, Pompeian, Viking, Aztec, and Mayan. This garden serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.
Shanghai Guanfu Museum
Located on the 37th floor, this museum features four permanent exhibition halls – Ceramics, East-West, Gold, and Sculpture – and one temporary exhibition hall. The museum emphasizes the connection between people and history, focusing on the intimacy and accessibility of traditional Chinese culture.
Traditional Chinese Garden
On the 37th floor of Shanghai Tower is a traditional Chinese Garden with rockeries, streams, pavilions, grass, and flowers. It is named Banmu Yuan, which can be translated into Half-Mu Garden (Mu is a Chinese measurement similar to the acre) because it occupies an area of 384 square meters, exactly half mu. It will remind you of the huge aircraft in science fiction movies with a complete ecosystem. Unfortunately, it only opens to the public occasionally. But you can take your chance.
Duoyun Bookstore
Situated on the 52nd floor, this bookstore provides visitors with a space to read and relax while enjoying stunning views of the Huangpu River. The bookstore sells books and beverages, offering a unique cultural experience that reflects the spirit of Shanghai.
Baoku Craftsmanship Museum
Located on the 38th floor, this museum brings together nearly 100 Chinese craft masters and national intangible cultural heritage inheritors. It showcases traditional Chinese handcrafts with a modern aesthetic, promoting the preservation and appreciation of these skills. The museum also serves as a hub for art storage, circulation, public education, and artist incubation.
J Hotel Shanghai Tower
Occupying the 86th to 98th floors of Shanghai Tower, J Hotel Shanghai Tower offers an unparalleled luxury experience. With 165 rooms, including 34 suites, ranging from 61 to 380 square meters, the hotel provides unique and breathtaking views of the city. Each room blends the best of ancient and modern aesthetics from around the world, creating a rich tapestry of artistic beauty. The hotel is designed to offer a modern Oriental travel experience, excelling in areas such as design, living, gastronomy, technology, and service.
Top of Shanghai Exhibition Hall
Located on the first basement level of the tower, the Top of Shanghai Exhibition Hall explores the tower’s architectural and engineering marvels through seven themed zones: “Shanghai’s Shanghai Tower,” “Growing Skyline,” “Skyscraper Dream,” “Skyscraper City,” “World’s Tallest Buildings,” “Shanghai Tower DNA,” and “Vertical City.” The exhibition employs state-of-the-art multimedia technology, including sound, light, and interactive displays, to provide an immersive understanding of the design and construction of Shanghai Tower.
World’s Highest Cultural and Artistic Center
On the 126th floor, this center offers an elevated cultural experience, featuring world-class four-dimensional musical performances and multimedia light and sound shows. At its core is the “Shanghai Eye” sculpture, inspired by the mythical “Eye of the Candle Dragon” from the ancient Chinese text “Shan Hai Jing.” Weighing 7 tons, this central piece symbolizes insight and wisdom.
Top of Shanghai Retail Store
The Top of Shanghai retail stores, located on the second basement level and the 118th floor observation area, offer over 1,000 products that embody the “Shanghai Tower” brand. The merchandise includes stationery, travel items, apparel, home goods, food, and toys, all with a distinct Shanghai Tower imprint.
Vlog about Shanghai Tower
Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
Explore Other Attractions Inside Shanghai Tower: Apart from enjoying the stunning views from the observation deck, Shanghai Tower offers other attractions worth exploring on different floors:
- 37th Floor: Guanfu Museum (Ticket Price: 100 yuan): This museum, founded by Mr. Ma Weidu, is the first private museum in China. It features four permanent exhibition halls showcasing porcelain, artifacts from the East and West, gold artifacts, and sculptures, along with a temporary exhibition hall.
- 38th Floor: Treasure House Artisan Hall (Ticket Price: 100 yuan): This hall consists of three main themed exhibition halls, collaborating with over 60 Chinese arts and crafts masters and national-level inheritors of intangible cultural heritage. It presents over a thousand pieces of artisanal works and 2000 square meters of immersive exhibition space, showcasing Chinese craftsmanship and aesthetics.
- 52nd Floor: Duo Yun Bookstore: This highly popular internet-famous bookstore offers free admission, but advance reservation via public account on Wechat is required. Despite the crowd, the environment is still pleasant.
Consider Booking Lounge 552 Restaurant Package: If you’ve purchased the Lounge 552 restaurant package, it’s advisable to head straight to the restaurant on the 119th floor to get your queue number immediately. The dining service operates on a first-come, first-served basis. This option also save you the trouble of waiting in the line for the observation deck.
Be Prepared for Long Queues on Holidays: During holidays, queues can be exceptionally long. You might think you’re about to reach the top, but then you enter another room filled with people waiting, which can be disheartening.
Experience the Dampers and Light Show: Shanghai Tower features a spectacular damper system designed to reduce the building’s swaying motion. Paired with a dazzling light show, it offers an unforgettable experience. The light show is an additional fee and can be purchased along with the admission ticket.
