Shanghai World Financial Center

World Financial Center

Shanghai World Financial Center, as the second tallest skyscraper in the city up to now, stands at the center of Lujiazui in Pudong New Area and neighboring Shanghai Tower and Jin Mao Tower. This landmark building is often jokingly called the “bottle opener” because of its fascinating exterior with a large trapezoidal opening at the top of the square-column main structure. Nowadays, it’s not only a financial magnet that injects economic vitality into Shanghai, but also a hot tourist attraction known for its breathtaking observation decks.

The construction of the Shanghai World Financial Center began in early 1997 but was halted shortly due to the Asian financial crisis. In early 2003, the building project resumed. However, as the skyscrapers under construction in Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong surpassed the original design height of the Shanghai World Financial Center, the Japanese party—one of the co-architects responsible for the overall planning and design of the building—modified the original height from 466 meters to 492 meters. In August 2008, the Shanghai World Financial Center was completed and officially opened.
 Location: Opposite the Bund, next to Shanghai Tower
Height: 492 meters (about 1,614 feet)
Floors: 101 above ground, 3 underground
Highlights: Observation Decks on 94F, 97F, and 100F, and Park Hyatt Hotel
Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:00, last entry at 21:30
Suggested visiting time: 2-3 hours
 Standing in this sightseeing hall, you are offered an extensive view to admire the fabulous city landscape along the Huangpu River through the window walls. More than that, here is a popular venue for high-end events in Shanghai, including art exhibitions and fashion shows. If you’d like to enjoy a period of peaceful solitude against the backdrop of stunning sceneries outside, there is also a café bar available.
 The 97th floor boasts a more unobstructed sightseeing experience, allowing you to immerse in a 360-degree panoramic view of the modern skyscrapers along the east bank of the Huangpu River and the exotic international architectures of diversified styles along the Bund. This delight is definitely attributed to the most ingenious design of the “observation bridge” across the sky, above which an open skylighted ceiling can be opened in good weather.

Panorama of Pudong  More Pudong New Area Pictures

 Ready for the most thrilling experience on the 100th floor? It is hailed as the perfect spot for taking photos of the Shanghai Lujiazui skyline. Here you will be wandering on the floor made of transparent glass along this 55-meter-long (60-yard-long) corridor. Through the glass floor, you can see the urban dynamics right under your feet. Fascinatingly, you'll experience the magical visual effect of “walking among the clouds” if there are mist drifting around. Nevertheless, for tourists who are afraid of heights, it's recommended to avoid walking on it.
 

World Financial Center, Jinmao Tower and Shanghai Tower

To enhance your overall experience, the Park Hyatt Hotel is worth going. It features an elegant restaurant located on floors 91 through 93, which is called 100 Century Avenue that provides a rich selection of delicacies ranging from Western-style steaks to Chinese wok and Japanese sushi. You are able to appreciate the expansive cityscape by the window while enjoying delicacies. For a more leisurely tour in SWFC, you may consider staying overnight in the hotel where upscale accommodations are provided. Guestrooms are located on the 79th to 84th floors, ranging from standard rooms to suites. Prices start from around CNY 3,000 up to 30,000 (USD 440-4395) per night.
 The best time of the day to visit the sightseeing observatories is at about 16:00-19:00 when you can enjoy three spectacular scenes consecutively: the grandeur of the city under bright sky, the breathtaking sunset glow over the skyline, and the dazzling splendor of the city after night falls. You'll be able to capture unforgettable photos.

It's recommended that you avoid weekends and public holidays like May Day from May 1-5 and National Day from Oct 1-7, as large number of visitors and long queues in front of the elevator can spoil the experience.

Shanghai World Financial Center at Night

 

Main Floors	Functions
94-100F	Sightseeing Decks
79-93F	Park Hyatt Hotel
4-77F	Meeting facilities and offices
B2-B1F & 2-3F	Shopping malls, restaurants

 Take Metro Line 2 or Line 14, get off at Lujiazui Station, and then go out through Exit 8. After about 5-minute walking you’ll get to the building.
 

Entrance to the SWFC Observatory

1.    Take Bus No.01, 795, 798, or 992, get off at Century Avenue Pudong South Road Station, and walk west for 4 minutes.
2.    Take Bus No.870, 961, 985, or Lujiazui Financial Ring Bus Line, get off at Lujiazui Ring Road & Dongtai Road Station, and walk north for 4 minutes.
3.    Take Bus Lujiazui Financial City Line 2 or Lujiazui Financial Ring Bus Line, get off at Dongtai Road Century Avenue Station, and walk south for 2 minutes.
 Take a ferry at the cost of CNY 2 (USD 0.29) one way, either from the Jinling East Road Ferry Dock or the Fuxing East Road Ferry Dock at the Bund to the Dongchang Road Ferry Dock in Pudong, and walk for about 10 minutes to reach the building. 

Shanghai Bus / Metro Search
 

Type		94F only	Combo Ticket for 94F, 97F, and 100F
Price	Adults	CNY 120 (USD 18)	CNY 180 (USD 27)
	Children between 1-1.4 meters (3.3-4.6 feet) and the disabled	CNY 60 (USD 9)	CNY 90 (USD 14)
	Kids below 1 meter (3.3 feet)	Free of charge

The entrance to the Observatory Decks of Shanghai World Financial Center is at B1 on the west side of the building, just opposite to the Jin Mao Tower, where tickets are sold and luggage storage service is provided. After checking in here, you can take the elevator directly to 94F. Escalators are available from 94F to 97F, and from 97F to 100F.

The Park Hyatt Hotel has its own guest elevators from the south side of the building.

Note: You can either buy the ticket online through the WeChat Mini Program or on site at the entrance, with your passport. You can also turn to online agencies like travelchinaguide for a hassle-free booking experience.

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