Standing in the center of Lujiazui Finance & Trade Zone in Pudong, Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC), the tallest comprehensive building in the world by far, was completed in August 28, 2008. Having 101 floors with a height of 492 meters (about 1,614 feet), it ranks the top in the heights of roof and usable floor announced by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).

Aiming to be a magnet of the world's finance, the building boasts functions of first class financial centers, able to showcase monetary talents, cultural and art exhibitions and information from all over the world. Modern office facilities, sightseeing floor at 474 meters (about 1,555 feet) above the ground, luxury hotel and multi-function meeting facilities are all available here, and over twenty multinational financial institutions will move into the ultra-modern building. More than forty enterprises from Japan and American invested together to construct this high-rises building.

The construction started in 1997 and continued after a six-year shutdown caused by the Asian financial crisis. With the intention to be the tallest building in the whole world, seven more floors were added after revisions to the previous design. Basement two to F3 is maintained for shopping malls. Meeting facilities and offices are distributed on F3-5 and F7-77. The Park Hyatt Hotel is located on F79-93 and F94-100 is used for sightseeing. The sightseeing hall was opened to public on August 30. This is the tallest sightseeing observatory in the world, surpassing halls of Canada's National Tower and Dubai Tower.

Like all skyscrapers in the world, security is a major issue of particular concern. The capability to withstand fire, wind, impacts, earthquakes and thunder is considered thoroughly at the very beginning of the design. SWFC can survive a massive 8 magnitude earthquake. There are fireproofed floors for escape; a dozen sets of obstacle indicator lights to warn low flying aircraft, as well as two wind dampers to reduce wind acceleration by 40%. In addition to lightning conductors covering the building, its glazed glass skin also protects against lightning and looks good too.

The entrance of the observatory is in Basement 1 on the west side of the building (just opposite the Jinmao Building). Tickets are sold here and visitors can take the elevator directly to the sightseeing platform. Sky arena on F94 provides a perfect and extensive view of Shanghai along the Huangpu River. The 750-square-meter (about 897-square-yard) sightseeing hall is also suitable for exhibitions. Parapets in the window on F97 provide a place to take pictures. The open skylighted ceiling shows ingenuity in design. In good weather, it can be opened, turning the hall into an overpass in the air.  The Sky Walk on F100, the world's highest observatory, is a 55-meter (180-foot) corridor. While wandering on the floor made of transparent glass, you can see the top of the Oriental Pearl Tower just in front and feel as if you are walking in the air above the roof of the Jinmao Building. Vehicles, pedestrians and even the whole city seem to be far away, down below.

There is also a beautiful sight of the whole city from the Park Hyatt Hotel. The hotel's lobby, with cocktail bar, is on the 87th floor, overlooking Pudong. Overlooking the entire city from the 100 Century Avenue Restaurant on the 91st floor appeals to all senses, with a perfect perspective to see the top of the near neighbor Jinmao Building, the full extent of Pudong and the Oriental Pearl Tower as well as many symbolic landmarks of Shanghai.

To be completed in 2010 before the opening of Shanghai World Expo, a two-storey pedestrian corridor being constructed in Shanghai's Lujiazui area is a big project in the vicinity of the SWFC. It will connect the financial center with the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jinmao Building, several other symbolic skyscrapers, roads, subways and city center gardens are linked together. It will provide good access to SWFC with parts of the corridor given over to tea houses and cafes. The circle of the overpass to be built in the first phrase will connect the Oriental Pearl Tower and SWFC, providing a shortcut for people to shuttle between the two buildings.

Tips:
SWFC ticket price: F94: CNY100; F94 and F97: CNY110; F94, F97 and F100: CNY150
Normal Opening Hours: 08:00-23:00 every day

There are many elevators leading to different parts of the building. Elevators to the Observatory can be found in the entrance on Basement 1. It takes about a minute from the entrance to reach the 95th floor. The Park Hyatt Hotel has its own guest elevators from the south side of the building.

Getting there: Every few minutes, free buses are available at noon between SWFC and Zhengda Plaza. In addition, there are regular buses shuttle between SWFC and the HSBC Building. These are also free of charge and leave every 60 minutes (30 minutes at noon). Due to the construction of the pedestrian corridor, taxi is the most convenient way to reach SWFC.