Shanghai Tower

What it is

Shanghai Tower is a landmark skyscraper in the Lujiazui financial district of Pudong, Shanghai. It is among the tallest buildings in the world by architectural height. The tower features a distinctive twisted form with a tapering profile and double-skin facade. Construction completed in the 2010s. The building serves multiple functions including office space, hotel accommodation, and public observation facilities. Its design incorporates sustainable features and represents contemporary Chinese architectural ambition. The structure anchors a prominent trio of supertall buildings in Pudong alongside the Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center.

Checked 2026-08-26

What's inside

The tower contains office floors, the J Hotel occupying upper zones, and public observation decks. The observation levels provide panoramic views across the Pudong skyline, the Huangpu River, and the historic Bund district. Exhibition elements and multimedia displays accompany the visitor experience. Retail and dining options exist within the building. The hotel component offers luxury accommodation at exceptional elevation. Express elevators serve the vertical transport needs. Visitor-facing areas concentrate in designated lower-mid and upper zones while the majority of floors remain commercial office space inaccessible to casual visitors.

Checked 2026-08-26

How long to spend

A typical visitor allowing for observation deck circulation, queuing periods, and casual viewing should allocate approximately two to three hours. This duration accommodates elevator transit times, which are notable given the building's extreme height, plus time at observation levels. Hotel guests or dining patrons would require additional time appropriate to their reservations. Peak visitation periods extend waits considerably. Visitors combining this attraction with adjacent Lujiazui sites should plan a half-day minimum for the district. Rushed visits of under ninety minutes are feasible but compromise the experience quality.

Checked 2026-08-26

Season and crowds

Operator-confirmed hours are Not recorded pending review. Visitors should consult official channels before planning. Atmospheric conditions substantially affect observation deck value; haze and pollution reduce visibility significantly and unpredictably. Clear days following weather fronts typically offer superior viewing. Evening visits provide illuminated cityscape perspectives. Morning hours may present cleaner atmospheric conditions before daily pollution accumulation. Weekend and holiday periods experience heavier domestic tourism demand. Advance verification of operational status is prudent given potential maintenance closures or special events affecting public access that would not be reflected in general guidance.

Checked 2026-08-26

Tickets

Operator-confirmed prices are Not recorded pending review. The observation deck operates as a paid attraction requiring admission. Pricing structures may differentiate between standard admission and premium experiences. Combination arrangements with other Pudong attractions may exist. Hotel and restaurant access within the tower operates under separate commercial arrangements unrelated to observation deck ticketing. Visitors should verify current rates through official channels. Payment methods at venue may include domestic mobile payment systems predominant in China; international visitors should confirm acceptable transaction forms. Advance purchase possibilities exist through various distribution channels though terms vary.

Checked 2026-08-26

Getting there

The tower sits in Lujiazui, Pudong New Area, accessible via Shanghai Metro Line 2 to Lujiazui Station with subsequent walking required. Multiple bus routes serve the district. Taxi and ride-hail services provide direct access. The location connects to the Bund via ferry services across the Huangpu River and through vehicular tunnels. Pudong International Airport connects through Maglev train to Longyang Road with Metro transfer, or direct Metro Line 2. Hongqiao transportation hub connects via Metro Line 2. The district features elevated pedestrian walkways between major buildings reducing ground-level navigation.

Checked 2026-08-26

What to watch out for

Extreme elevation exposure may affect visitors uncomfortable with heights. Elevator ear pressure changes occur during rapid ascent and descent. Observation deck glass floors and transparent elements provoke varied visitor reactions. Crowding at peak periods creates queue conditions and viewing competition at windows. Weather dependency means paid admission may coincide with obscured visibility without refund guarantee. Security screening applies to all visitors. Bag restrictions may operate. The surrounding Lujiazui district functions primarily as financial and business center with limited evening activity and dining options compared to Puxi areas across the river.

Checked 2026-08-26

Photography

The observation decks permit photography of the sweeping urban panorama encompassing the Bund, river traffic, and surrounding supertalls. Glass reflections challenge interior shooting; lens hood contact with glass reduces but does not eliminate this issue. Twilight transitions offer dramatic lighting conditions. Tripod use likely restricted in crowded deck spaces. The tower exterior itself photographs effectively from the Bund promenade and from the elevated walkways connecting Lujiazui buildings. Drone operation prohibited in this controlled airspace near financial district and government facilities. Night photography of the illuminated tower exterior requires positioning at distance for full structure capture.

Checked 2026-08-26

Where it is

• 45 min

  3 min walk

  Shanghai World Financial Center

  • Must see
  • Historic monument
• 1 hr 30 min

  11 min walk

  Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

  • Must see
  • Family attraction
• 1 hour

  13 min walk

  浦东美术馆

  • Must see
  • Art and culture venue

External links

• View on Wikidata