Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai
Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower | A City Epic Above the Clouds
I. Key Highlights: The Super Symbol of the City Skyline
1. Architectural Design
Record Height:468 meters, the tallest tower in Asia, composed of11 spheres of varying sizes strung together — an idea drawn from the Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi's line "large and small pearls falling on a jade plate." Facing the Bund's colonial-era architecture across the river, it creates a striking scene of "classical meeting future."
Engineering Feat: Three inclined support columns with a diameter of 9 meters hold up the entire structure, able to withstand12 -category typhoons and7 -magnitude earthquakes. The spheres use an all-steel frame, and the glass curtain wall has a light transmittance of90%, combining safety with a sense of visual openness.
2. Sightseeing Experience
259 -meter fully transparent skywalk:
Walk in the Clouds: Standing on the 360 -degree fully transparent glass viewing platform, you look down on the ant-like traffic of Lujiazui while the Bund's architecture drifts in and out of the mist. Even those afraid of heights can hold the wall and enjoy the heart-pounding thrill.
AR Interactive: Scan the QR code on the ground to launch "Bund GloryAR", where the Bund's historic buildings are recreated through holographic projection — pose for a photo with a virtual rickshaw puller or a qipao-clad lady.
263 -meter main observation deck:
360 -degree panorama: Through high-powered telescopes you can see as far as Sheshan Hill and Chongming Island, and on clear days even Hangzhou Bay.
"Ever Higher Shanghai" 360° Multimedia Show:78 -floor immersive film that uses a360 -degree wraparound screen and motion seats to bring to life Shanghai's70 years of urban transformation.
351 -meter Space Capsule:
Space Odyssey: A simulated space capsule environment where you use VR equipment to experience "Chang'e's Moon Expedition" and "A Walk on Mars." Inside, a model of a Shenzhou return capsule is on display.
3. Cultural Landmarks
Shanghai Urban History Development Exhibition Hall:
Step Back in Time: From the Warring States period's "Hudu Fishing Village" to the20 -century30 -s "Paris of the East," wax figures, scene reconstructions and interactive installations recreate the everyday street life of old Shanghai (qipao shops, trams, shikumen lane houses).
Hidden Bonus: In the "Paramount Ballroom" area, scan the code to watch a holographic song-and-dance performance of Zhou Xuan's "Night Shanghai."
4. Dining & Entertainment
267 -meter revolving restaurant:
A Feast in the Clouds: Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian and other international cuisines are served. Try the "Dragon Fortune" (braised pork belly with eel) and cheese-baked lobster. The restaurant completes one full rotation every90 minutes, so you can watch the city lights shift and shimmer as you dine.
Birthday Offer:4 Visitors born in -month can buy the "Revolving Restaurant Buffet ++ Second Sphere Sightseeing" family ticket (2 adults,1 children) for just552 yuan, and receive a custom-made cake.
95 -meter-highVR Roller Coaster:
Speed Rush: Put on the VR glasses for a "cloud dive" as the track weaves between the spheres — non-stop screaming thrills (separate ticket required, about80 yuan/ per person).
II. Seasonal Events:2025 Springtime Experiences
1. MetaverseAR Light Show (until5 -month31 -day)
Light & Magic: Every evening at 19:00-22:00, a "Classic of Mountains and Seas"-themed light show plays across the tower's facade. Scan the official mini program to useAR technology to "awaken" mythical beasts such as the Azure Dragon and White Tiger on the sphere's surface, and join online interactive games.
Stargazing Camp: A "Cloud Campsite" is set up in the city plaza, with tent rentals (199 yuan/ 3 hours), so you can gaze at the stars while enjoying a constellation-themed afternoon tea.
2. Yangtze River Delta Cultural & Tourism Market (4 -month15 -day to- 5 -month5 -day)
Heritage Workshops: At the 0-meter hall, workshops cover Suzhou embroidery, Jingdezhen ceramics and Huangshan Maofeng tea making — craft your own sachet, throw clay on the wheel or brew gongfu tea (each experience about 50 yuan).
Limited-Time Discount: Buy the "Two-Sphere Combo ++ any nearby attraction" ticket (e.g. Shanghai Ocean Aquarium) and get80 yuan off, plus a Yangtze River Delta cultural tourism passport (collect stamps to redeem souvenirs).
III. Practical Guide: Make the Most of Your Visit
1. Getting There
Metro:2 Line/ 14 Line Lujiazui Station,2 Exit , a -minute3 walk brings you straight there; or take10 Line at Yu Garden Station and transfer to bus11 to the terminal stop.
By car: Recommended "Oriental Pearl8 Gate underground garage" (free parking) or "Fenghe Road Underground Garage" (15 yuan/ hours).
By ferry: Take a boat from the Jinling East Road ferry terminal to Dongchang Road Pier — you step off right at the tower. A one-way fare is only 2 yuan, and you can enjoy Huangpu River views along the way.
2. Tickets & Opening Hours
Tickets:
Two-Sphere Combo Ticket:199 yuan (including259 m suspended corridor,+ 263 m observation deck,+ Exhibition Hall)
Three-Sphere Combo Ticket:299 yuan (including351 m space capsule)
AR Combo Ticket:219 yuan (Two-Sphere Combo Ticket ++“Pearl Spirit Realm ·AR Trendy Bund”)
Opening Hours:09:00-21:00（20:30 last entry); on weekdays we recommend arriving10:00 before , and on weekends and public holidays we recommend arriving1 hours early to queue.
3. Suggested Itineraries
3 -hour Classic Tour:
Morning: Three-Sphere Combo Ticket —→351 m Space Capsule →263 m Observation Deck → “Rising Shanghai” Revolving Show
Afternoon:259 m Suspended Corridor → History Exhibition Hall → Old Shanghai8 Restaurant (Shanghainese cuisine)
5 -hour Deep Dive Tour:
Morning: Two-Sphere Combo Ticket —→AR Light Show → high-altitudeVR roller coaster
Afternoon: lunch at the revolving restaurant→ History Exhibition Hall → Lujiazui riverside walk (capture the Oriental Pearl and the “Three-Piece Set” in one frame)
4. Off-Peak Tips
Best time: weekdays, 15:00-17:00(to avoid tour groups), or18:30 in the evening to enjoy both daytime and night views.
Fast Track: purchase the “Revolving Restaurant Buffet+ Two-Sphere Combo Ticket” (368 yuan) to use theVIP lane and save about1 hours of queuing.
4. Exclusive Visitor Perks
1. Cultural Enrichment
Intangible Cultural Heritage Crafts: At “Yuan Su Silk Studio”, try hand-painting a Shanghai-style silk scarf (199 yuan per/ person; take your creation home); at “Tang Yuan Su”, make your own custom candy (88 yuan per/ box).
Art Appreciation: On the first Saturday of each month, the263 m observation deck hosts a “Cloud Art Salon”, with free admission to contemporary artworks (advance booking required).
2. Exclusive Offers
Combo Savings: the Oriental Pearl + + Shanghai Ocean Aquarium ticket288 yuan (saving70 yuan versus buying separately), plus a pair ofAR interactive glasses for the Undersea Tunnel.
Coupons: On the “Oriental Pearl Mall” mini-program, claim a “Spring Special Coupon” — spend300 and get50 yuan off (cultural and creative products only).
3. Hidden Gems
Photo Spots:
Lujiazui Circular Footbridge: With the Oriental Pearl as your backdrop, capture the classic shot of the “Three-Piece Set” framed alongside the tower.
Bund Viewing Platform: Use a tripod for long exposures at night to capture the symmetry of the tower’s lights and their reflections on the river.
Night Activity: Every Friday and Saturday, the 20:00，259 m suspended corridor opens “Starry Night Talk” — bring a drink, chat and gaze over the city lights (an extra50 yuan per/ person).
5. Local-Only Secrets
Early Bird Perk:7:30-8:30 Head to “Old Shanghai8 Restaurant” for breakfast — fresh pork mooncakes and ci fan gao rice cakes steamed and sold on the spot, at half the price of anywhere inside the scenic area.
Off-the-Beaten-Path Sights:
Lujiazui Central Green: A 10 walk from the Oriental Pearl; photograph the tower and doves sharing the frame across the wide lawns.
Aurora Museum: Free entry to the jade and Buddhist statue galleries; the rooftop deck offers a panoramic view where the Oriental Pearl meets the Huangpu River.
Hidden Eats:
Super Brand Mall, 7 F: Yelishaflu Xinjiang Restaurant (Shawan Big Plate Chicken) and Crystal Jade (honey thick toast), all under100 yuan per person.
Lujiazui Riverside:1886 Flaming pork knuckle with draft beer at the German Auto Restaurant — dine with a river view.
