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Oriental Pearl Tower

Oriental Pearl Tower, situated at Lujiazui in Pudong New Area and opened to the public in 1994, is officially known as the Shanghai Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower. This building is a multifunctional architectural wonder standing 468 meters (1536 feet) tall. As China’s second-highest and the world’s fifth-highest TV tower, it integrates sightseeing, catering, shopping, exhibitions, entertainment, and radio and television signal transmission. It is not only one of the most iconic attractions in Shanghai, but also a symbol of Shanghai’s modernization.

Unique Architectural Design

What is more captivating than the height of this tower is its unique architectural design. Unlike traditional single-tube TV towers, the Oriental Pearl Tower features a more varied structure that looks like a cluster of bright pearls connected together from a distance. Its base is supported by three seven-meter-wide inclined pillars, and there are three nine-meter-wide columns running vertically through the center. At the very top is the launch antenna mast. The most eye-catching constructions of the tower are the three largest spheres at the lower, upper, and top part, respectively. The entire structure rests on the lush green grassland, presenting a vivid scene like pearls shining on a jade plate. Framed by the Yangpu Bridge to the northeast and the Nanpu Bridge to the southwest, it forms a scene of “twin dragons playing with pearls.”

Oriental Pearl Tower Facts

Established since: 1991

Completed in: 1994

Overall Height: 468 meters (1,536 feet)

Highlights of the tower:
351m (1,152 ft): “Space Capsule” Observation Deck
267m (876 ft): Revolving Restaurant
263m (863 ft): Sightseeing Galleria
259m (850 ft): Transparent Observatory
Ground floor: Shanghai Urban History and Development Museum

Top Things to Do in the Oriental Pearl Tower

Step into the Past Unveiled in Shanghai Urban History and Development Museum

The Shanghai Urban History and Development Museum is at the very bottom within the tower. By means of advanced multimedia technology and exquisite architecture model exhibitions, this museum fully represents the evolution history of Shanghai city since its young age as a commercial port linking up China and the world approximately 180 years ago.

There are mainly six halls constituting highlights of the exhibition. Among them, the one that first takes you into the time tunnel is the Prologue Hall displaying the history of the traffic. From here, you can see various means of transportation in old Shanghai, such as rickshaws and tramcars. Then the First Hall featuring the old city perfectly recreates the street scenes, shops and houses of the late Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) and the period in 1912-1949, truly showcasing Shanghai people's lifestyle in the old times. The Second Hall shows the foreign concessions and the influence of Western culture during that period, allowing you to understand how Shanghai transitioned from tradition to modernity. The Third Hall vividly depicts Shanghai as a prosperous cosmopolitan city with booming commerce and international trade, while the Fourth Hall focuses on the past traces of Shanghai, with many miniature landmarks like Yu Garden and Old City God Temple presented. The Fifth Hall gathers hundreds of beautifully scaled-down architectures in different periods in Shanghai.

Go Sightseeing on the Observation Decks

The photo of old Shanghai shown in the TV tower

Photo of Old Shanghai in the Shanghai Urban History
and Development Museum

The Oriental Pearl Tower boasts multiple observation decks at different heights and with various functions, including high-altitude sightseeing, transparent suspended experience, VR entertainment, and multimedia shows.

1. 351-Meter-High “Space Capsule”
At 351 meters, the “Space Capsule” of the Oriental Pearl Tower is the highest observation deck. With the theme of “space travel + cultural tourism”, it offers a 360-degree panoramic view from the sky and an experience like traveling through a futuristic sci-fi world.

2. 263-Meter-High Sightseeing Galleria
Sightseeing Galleria is the main observation deck located at 263 meters. The circular floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall provides visitors with a grandiose view of the city’s landmarks. Looking east, you can see the three iconic buildings of Lujiazui, namely, Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Jin Mao Tower; and looking west, you can enjoy the view of the Bund’s “World Expo of Architectures”.

3. 259-Meter-High Transparent Observatory
One floor down at 259 meters is the Transparent Observatory, the world’s first 360-degree circular fully transparent glass corridor. Walking on it feels like being suspended in the air, facing the hustle and bustle of the city below, which is very thrilling. However, if you are afraid of heights, it’s better not to try it.

Oriental Pearl Tower in Pudong

More Pictures

The lower levels feature other sightseeing delights. For example, you can go to the VR Roller Coaster at 95 meters (312 ft) to experience speed and excitement, or enjoy the natural breeze at 90-meter-high (295-ft-high) Outdoor Observatory with no glass curtain walls, which is quite suitable for tourist with acrophobia but don’t want to miss the stunning panoramic views from above. If you’re not in a hurry, you may also go down at 78 meters (256 ft), where the “Updating City” Dynamic Ring Multimedia Show presents a dreamy space like the stars or the clouds and uses naked-eye 3D to show the future of Shanghai’s smart homes, three-dimensional transportation, and ecological cities.

Enjoy a Leisurely Dining Time in the Revolving Restaurant

The TV Tower in Pudong

At dusk, having a tranquil and delightful dinner at the Revolving Restaurant on the second sphere of the Oriental Pearl Tower, at a height of 267 meters, is perfectly ideal. The buffet here offers a diverse selection of cuisines, including Chinese dishes, Southeast Asian delicacies, Japanese food, and Western meals. You are highly recommended to choose a window seat to savor the rich variety of dishes while enjoying the breathtaking sunset hues and the beautifully illuminated views around the Huangpu River through the expansive, well-lit spherical glass.

Note:
Guests of the Revolving Restaurant can enjoy the buffet meal as well as complimentary access to all tower attractions included in the combo ticket.

Appreciate the Light Show of the Oriental Pearl Tower

The Oriental Pearl Tower transforms gorgeously under the night sky, showcasing its most captivating appearance of the day. Every evening at 19:30, 20:30, and 21:30, the tower’s light show begins. Silver-white and light blue beams, paired with the soft gradient hues of the tower’s body, outline this building’s spherical and columnar contours. From afar, it gleams like a string of luminous pearls, reflecting magnificently on the surface of the Huangpu River. Standing at the Bund, you can fully appreciate the futuristic and technology-inspired charm of the Oriental Pearl Tower.

Oriental Pearl TV Tower at Night

Oriental Pearl Tower Tickets Price & Opening Hours

Type of Ticket		Price
Ticket Package 1: 263m Sightseeing Galleria + 259m Transparent Observatory + 90m Outdoor Observatory + 78m “Updating City” Dynamic Ring Multimedia Show + Shanghai Urban History and Development Museum		CNY 199 (USD 30)
Ticket Package 2: 263m Sightseeing Galleria + 259m Transparent Observatory + 90m Outdoor Observatory + 78m “Updating City” Dynamic Ring Multimedia Show + Shanghai Urban History and Development Museum + 45 minutes’ Huangpu River Cruise	CNY 255-318 (USD 37-47)
Shanghai Urban History and Development Museum ONLY	CNY 35 (USD 6)

Children under 1 meter (3.3 feet) enjoy free admission.
Children with a height of 1 meter (inclusive) to 1.4 meters (inclusive) or those aged 6 years (inclusive) and below are eligible for a 50% discount.

Oriental Pearl Tower Ticket Booking

Opening Hours

09:00-21:00, last entry at 20:30

How to Get to the Oriental Pearl Tower

By Ferry / Bund Sightseeing Tunnel

If you are already at the Bund, you can choose to take the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel at the cost of CNY 50 (USD 8) one way across the Huangpu River, and get off at the Pudong side. The Oriental Pearl Tower is just a three-minute walk away from you. You may also take a ferry at East Jinling Road Ferry Dock or Fuxing East Road Ferry Dock, which costs CNY 2 (USD 0.29) one way. After getting off at the Dongchang Road Ferry Dock, walk north along the river for 6-8 minutes, and you’ll see the tower at the right side.

By Metro

Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Lujiazui Station. Get out of Exit 1/ Exit 2 and you can see the Oriental Pearl Tower a 5-minute walk away.

By Bus

1. Take bus No. 81, 993, Lujiazui Financial City Line 1 and get off at Lujiazui Ring Road & Fenghe Road Station. The tower is right in front of you.

2. Take City Sightseeing Bus Line 2 and get off at Oriental Pearl Tower Station near Gate 2 of the tower.

Shanghai Bus / Metro Search

Tips for Visiting the Oriental Pearl Tower

1. If your ticket includes the top sphere tour, you have to take the high-speed elevator to the 263m Observation Deck first, and then take the special elevator from this level to reach the 351m Space Capsule. Also, remember this tour is accessible once only. The 259m Transparent Observatory is accessible by stairs from the 263m Observation Deck.

2. Items such as lighters, alcohol/spray, large luggage, food, and selfie sticks are prohibited from being brought in. Therefore, it is recommended that you store your luggage and prohibited items in the self-service locker at the ticket checkpoint or the manual baggage storage area at the main hall before going through the security check.