Attraction
The Bund
Shanghai's colonial-era waterfront, a 1.6-kilometre line of 52 banks, hotels and trading houses facing the Lujiazui skyline across the Huangpu River.
Shanghai Tower
A 632-metre supertall tower in Lujiazui with a twisting glass facade and an observation deck on the 118th floor, reached by high-speed lifts in under a minute.
At a glance
- Type
- Skyscraper observation deck
- Area
- Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai, China
Good to know
- Observation deck on the 118th floor
- High-speed lifts
- B2 lockers
- Café on 119th floor
Why we recommend it
Shanghai Tower is the tallest of the three supertall towers in Lujiazui, rising 632 metres beside the Jin Mao Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center. Designed by Gensler, with a team led by Jun Xia, it was structurally completed in August 2014 and opened in stages from 2015. The building is made of nine stacked cylindrical zones wrapped in a second glass skin that twists by about 120 degrees as it rises, a shape intended to reduce wind loads on the structure. It has 128 floors above ground.
Most visitors come for the observation deck. Tickets are checked in the B1 hall, which also holds a short exhibition about the building, and lifts from B2 take around 55 seconds to reach the 118th floor, about 546 metres up. From there the view takes in Pudong and the river below. Higher packages add the 125th and 126th floors, where you can see the tuned mass damper that steadies the top of the tower. A café and lounge occupy the 119th floor, and the J Hotel, run by Jin Jiang, has been open in the upper floors since 2021.
The view depends entirely on the weather, so check the short-term forecast and avoid booking too far ahead. Arriving around 5pm lets you see the city in daylight, at sunset and after dark. Queues can stretch to around two hours on busy weekends and holidays, while weekday mornings are calmer. Bring your passport, as the name on the ticket must match it.
Large bags and suitcases are not allowed on the decks, and lockers are available near the B2 metro passage. Tripods and selfie sticks are banned. Discounts are offered for seniors, students and children of certain heights, and the smallest children enter free. Families, photographers and first-time visitors all get a lot from it, although anyone nervous about heights may prefer the lower view from the Bund.
Lujiazui station on Lines 2 and 14 is the nearest stop. Exit 9 leads through an underground corridor into the tower, and taxi drivers can use the Dongtai Road gate. The Oriental Pearl Tower, the riverside promenade and the Dongchang Road ferry to the Bund are all within walking distance.
Shanghai Tower FAQs
How tall is Shanghai Tower?
632 metres to its architectural top, with 128 floors above ground.
Which floor is the observation deck on?
The main observatory is on the 118th floor, about 546 metres up.
How fast are the lifts?
The ride from B2 to the 118th floor takes around 55 seconds.
Do you need your passport?
Yes. Bring your physical passport, as the name on the ticket must match it.
Can you bring luggage?
No. Large bags and suitcases are not allowed on the decks, but there are lockers near the B2 metro passage.
When is the best time to go?
Around 5pm on a clear day lets you see daylight, sunset and the lights. Check the weather first.
How do you get there?
Take Line 2 or 14 to Lujiazui station and use Exit 9, which leads underground to the tower.
Are tripods allowed?
No. Tripods and selfie sticks are banned on the observation decks.