Oriental Pearl Tower

The Oriental Pearl Radio and Television Tower is one of the landmark towers of Lujiazui. Its design was chosen in 1988, construction finished in November 1994 and it opened in 1995. It rises 468 metres to the tip of its antenna, and its three linked pillars and stack of spheres make it easy to pick out from the Bund.

The tower holds around fifteen observation levels spread between its spheres. The lower sphere sits at about 90 metres and is given over to rides and multimedia shows. The upper sphere, at around 259 metres, holds the main observatory, with a glass floor that lets you stand over the drop, and a revolving restaurant. The small top module at 351 metres gives a full 360-degree view. Double-decker lifts carry visitors between the spheres.

It is a good choice for families and for first-time visitors who want the classic postcard view of the Bund from the Pudong side. The viewing levels are lower than those of Shanghai Tower next door, which some people prefer because the river and streets remain easy to read. Decide in advance whether you want the top module, the restaurant or the rides. Queues build at weekends and holidays, and a clear day matters as much here as at any tower.

The glass floor is not for everyone, and anyone uneasy with heights can stay on the solid sections. Allow about two hours including queues, more if you eat in the revolving restaurant.

A 2026 visitor guide breaks the levels down further: a multimedia dome show at 78 metres, an outdoor viewing ring at 90 metres, the glass skywalk at 259 metres, the main enclosed deck at 263 metres and the revolving restaurant at 267 metres, which turns once every 90 minutes. The Shanghai City History Museum in the basement is included with sightseeing tickets. The same guide advises avoiding Golden Week, Lunar New Year and July and August, when waits can pass two hours, and notes there is no seating on the decks, so wear comfortable shoes. From Lujiazui station, Exit 2 is about three minutes' walk.

Lujiazui station on Line 2 is a short walk away. The tower stands on the Pudong riverbank directly opposite the Bund, and the Lujiazui riverside promenade, Shanghai Tower and the Dongchang Road ferry wharf are all nearby. Seeing the tower lit up from the Bund after dark is free and is one of the classic Shanghai evening views.