Soar into the sky at the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai’s most recognizable landmark! This stunning tower offers the most breathtaking 360-degree views of the city’s amazing skyline and the Huangpu River. Visit our travel site to find the best tour deals and skip-the-line tickets for an unforgettable experience high above China’s most dynamic city. Don’t just see Shanghai – conquer it from above at the Oriental Pearl Tower!
Introduction
The Oriental Pearl Radio and Television Tower, commonly known as the “Oriental Pearl,” is located at No. 1 Century Avenue, Lujiazui, Pudong New Area, Shanghai. Situated along the banks of the Huangpu River, it stands against the backdrop of Lujiazui’s modern skyscrapers and complements the architectural panorama of the Bund’s International Architecture Exhibition across the river. As a renowned landmark of Shanghai, it stands 468 meters tall, making it the third tallest television tower in Asia.
Construction commenced on July 30, 1991, and the tower opened to the public on October 1, 1994. It serves as one of Shanghai’s iconic structures, integrating multiple functions including urban sightseeing, trendy dining, shopping and entertainment, historical exhibitions, river cruises, conferences and performances, as well as broadcasting and television transmission.
Construction commenced on July 30, 1991, and the tower opened to the public on October 1, 1994. It serves as one of Shanghai’s iconic structures, integrating multiple functions including urban sightseeing, trendy dining, shopping and entertainment, historical exhibitions, river cruises, conferences and performances, as well as broadcasting and television transmission.
Architectural Style
A Masterpiece of East-West Fusion
The Oriental Pearl Tower draws inspiration from ancient Chinese pagodas while incorporating modern Western architectural elements, creating a unique fusion of East and West. Its structure consists of 11 spheres of varying sizes strung together, inspired by the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi’s verse: “Large pearls and small pearls fall upon a jade plate.” This design not only masterfully blends tradition and modernity but also endows the tower with both structural stability and artistic beauty.
From the perspective of traditional Chinese culture, the spire of the Oriental Pearl Tower carries forward the traditional palace style and religious connotations of China. Its overall form, lines, and colors embody the essence of traditional Chinese culture. Traditional architectural elements within the tower, such as the dougong brackets and eaves, along with various bridges, railings, doors, windows, panels, and stone pillars, are imbued with classical Eastern aesthetics.
Simultaneously, the Oriental Pearl Tower fully showcases the allure of modern architectural technology. Its advanced steel structure and glass curtain walls ensure not only durability but also lend the tower a sense of transparency and contemporary beauty. Internal facilities, including elevators and observation decks, are fully equipped, providing visitors with an exceptional viewing experience.
The Oriental Pearl Tower draws inspiration from ancient Chinese pagodas while incorporating modern Western architectural elements, creating a unique fusion of East and West. Its structure consists of 11 spheres of varying sizes strung together, inspired by the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi’s verse: “Large pearls and small pearls fall upon a jade plate.” This design not only masterfully blends tradition and modernity but also endows the tower with both structural stability and artistic beauty.
From the perspective of traditional Chinese culture, the spire of the Oriental Pearl Tower carries forward the traditional palace style and religious connotations of China. Its overall form, lines, and colors embody the essence of traditional Chinese culture. Traditional architectural elements within the tower, such as the dougong brackets and eaves, along with various bridges, railings, doors, windows, panels, and stone pillars, are imbued with classical Eastern aesthetics.
Simultaneously, the Oriental Pearl Tower fully showcases the allure of modern architectural technology. Its advanced steel structure and glass curtain walls ensure not only durability but also lend the tower a sense of transparency and contemporary beauty. Internal facilities, including elevators and observation decks, are fully equipped, providing visitors with an exceptional viewing experience.
Internal Planning
Experience the Oriental Pearl Tower in Every Way
Sightseeing: The Oriental Pearl Tower features multiple observation decks, allowing visitors to admire the cityscape along both banks of the Huangpu River from varying heights. Standing on the fully transparent observation deck at 259 meters offers a unique “walking in the sky” experience. Here, you can overlook all of Shanghai and feel the city’s vibrancy and grandeur.
Dining & Entertainment: The tower also houses restaurants, cafes, and entertainment attractions like a high-altitude VR roller coaster, offering diverse experiences. Among these, the Sky Restaurant, situated at 267 meters in the upper sphere, is Asia’s highest revolving restaurant. Spanning 1,500 square meters, it accommodates up to 350 diners simultaneously. Here, you can savor global cuisine while enjoying unparalleled panoramic views.
Cultural Exhibitions: The tower also houses cultural facilities like exhibition halls showcasing Shanghai’s urban history and developmental achievements. The Shanghai Urban History Development Exhibition Hall, located within the Oriental Pearl Tower, presents a visual narrative of Shanghai’s modern historical transformations across 10,000 square meters of display space. Exploring these exhibits offers an immersive journey into Shanghai’s cultural heritage, allowing visitors to experience the city’s enduring charm and evolution.
Nighttime Illumination: The Oriental Pearl Tower’s nighttime lighting is one of its major highlights. As night falls, the tower glows brilliantly under the lights, blending with surrounding buildings to create a stunning tableau. This not only offers visitors a visual feast but also adds endless charm to Shanghai’s nightscape.
Sightseeing: The Oriental Pearl Tower features multiple observation decks, allowing visitors to admire the cityscape along both banks of the Huangpu River from varying heights. Standing on the fully transparent observation deck at 259 meters offers a unique “walking in the sky” experience. Here, you can overlook all of Shanghai and feel the city’s vibrancy and grandeur.
Dining & Entertainment: The tower also houses restaurants, cafes, and entertainment attractions like a high-altitude VR roller coaster, offering diverse experiences. Among these, the Sky Restaurant, situated at 267 meters in the upper sphere, is Asia’s highest revolving restaurant. Spanning 1,500 square meters, it accommodates up to 350 diners simultaneously. Here, you can savor global cuisine while enjoying unparalleled panoramic views.
Cultural Exhibitions: The tower also houses cultural facilities like exhibition halls showcasing Shanghai’s urban history and developmental achievements. The Shanghai Urban History Development Exhibition Hall, located within the Oriental Pearl Tower, presents a visual narrative of Shanghai’s modern historical transformations across 10,000 square meters of display space. Exploring these exhibits offers an immersive journey into Shanghai’s cultural heritage, allowing visitors to experience the city’s enduring charm and evolution.
Nighttime Illumination: The Oriental Pearl Tower’s nighttime lighting is one of its major highlights. As night falls, the tower glows brilliantly under the lights, blending with surrounding buildings to create a stunning tableau. This not only offers visitors a visual feast but also adds endless charm to Shanghai’s nightscape.
Detailed Features
351M Space Capsule: Located at the summit of the Oriental Pearl Tower. Features multiple science exhibition zones.
267M Sky-High Revolving Restaurant, situated at great heights, offers an exceptional panoramic view.
263M Observation Deck: A must-visit spot offering panoramic views of the Huangpu River’s scenic banks and Shanghai’s bustling cityscape.
The sunset at 6 PM is breathtaking. At 7 PM, witness the Lujiazui Trio lighting ceremony as dusk falls, clouds roll by, and the city’s lights illuminate the skyline.
259M Fully Transparent Suspended Observation Deck. A popular photo spot.
The observation deck features fully transparent glass flooring and walls, offering crystal-clear views of the scenery below.
Constructed from 24 fan-shaped, fully transparent circular glass panels, it forms a unique planar structure. These fan-shaped units open and close like lotus petals, enhancing the viewing experience with added fun and variety.
Enjoy unobstructed 360-degree panoramic views of Shanghai’s cityscape. The bustling scenes of the Huangpu River and Lujiazui are all within sight.
230M Sky Hotel: A unique and luxurious hotel offering private butler service.
The sunset at 6 PM is breathtaking. At 7 PM, witness the Lujiazui Trio lighting ceremony as dusk falls, clouds roll by, and the city’s lights illuminate the skyline.
259M Fully Transparent Suspended Observation Deck. A popular photo spot.
The observation deck features fully transparent glass flooring and walls, offering crystal-clear views of the scenery below.
Constructed from 24 fan-shaped, fully transparent circular glass panels, it forms a unique planar structure. These fan-shaped units open and close like lotus petals, enhancing the viewing experience with added fun and variety.
Enjoy unobstructed 360-degree panoramic views of Shanghai’s cityscape. The bustling scenes of the Huangpu River and Lujiazui are all within sight.
230M Sky Hotel: A unique and luxurious hotel offering private butler service.
98M Entertainment Ball and 5D Cinema feature a variety of entertainment options.
95M Sky Wonderland VR Roller Coaster
78M Multimedia Show. Photo Spot.
18M Coca-Cola Fun Restaurant: A themed restaurant centered around Coca-Cola, featuring interior decor brimming with Coca-Cola elements.
4.2M Urban Gallery and No. 9 Karting Experience Center.
0M Projection Show, Shanghai Urban History Development Exhibition Hall: Featuring six sections—“Chariots and Horses Through the Ages,” “City District Scenery,” “Port Opening Snapshots,” “The Tenth Foreign Concession,” “Traces of Old Shanghai,” and “Architectural Expo”—displaying over 1,000 precious artifacts and more than 100 life-size wax figures.
95M Sky Wonderland VR Roller Coaster
78M Multimedia Show. Photo Spot.
18M Coca-Cola Fun Restaurant: A themed restaurant centered around Coca-Cola, featuring interior decor brimming with Coca-Cola elements.
4.2M Urban Gallery and No. 9 Karting Experience Center.
0M Projection Show, Shanghai Urban History Development Exhibition Hall: Featuring six sections—“Chariots and Horses Through the Ages,” “City District Scenery,” “Port Opening Snapshots,” “The Tenth Foreign Concession,” “Traces of Old Shanghai,” and “Architectural Expo”—displaying over 1,000 precious artifacts and more than 100 life-size wax figures.
