Oriental Pearl Tower

Written by Matteo Updated Mar. 14, 2025

Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower, with a height of 468 meters is the 4th highest in Asia and the 6th highest tower in the world. Construction commenced on July 30th, 1991, and was completed on October 1st, 1994. It faces the Bund across the Huangpu River. Built with eleven steel spheres in various sizes hanging from the blue sky to the green grassland, the body of the tower creates an admirable image, which is described in an ancient Chinese verse as: large and small pearls dropping on a plate of jade.

The tower consists of 6 main parts: 3 gigantic columns,  the 1st sphere called the bottom ball, the 2nd sphere known as the upper ball, the 3rd sphere called the space capsule， other 5 small spheres, the basement, and the square. There is a transparent panorama lift between the columns offering a quite good view of Shanghai. This was the first wholly transparent elevator in the world.

The Oriental Pear Radio & TV Tower has 3 main sightseeing floors where tourists can enjoy the city view from different heights. The Space Capsule (the 3rd sphere) is 350 meters off the ground and at 263 meters is the major sightseeing floor, the 2nd sphere. There are 2 outdoor sightseeing floors. One is 259 meters off the ground (in the 2nd sphere) and the other is 90 meters from the ground, in the 1st sphere. Tourists can visit these parts together or separately. The basement houses the Shanghai Municipal History Museum.

The Oriental Pearl Science Fantasy World is located in the 1st sphere. A revolving restaurant is 267 meters off the ground, making it the 2nd highest dining area in Asia.

Glass-Bottomed Sightseeing Corridor on the Upper Ball

Sitting 259 meters above the ground, the glass-bottomed sightseeing corridor on the upper ball is absolutely the most attractive part of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. You can experience a 360-degree view of Shanghai while standing in the corridor. You can also challenge yourself by walking through the 150-meter-long corridor and keeping your eyes looking down through the transparent glass floor.

The corridor on the Oriental Pearl TV Tower is not the highest sightseeing terrace in Shanghai, but it offers you the widest vision.

Shanghai Municipal History Museum

The Shanghai Municipal History Museum is located on the Tower's pedestal and features the development of Shanghai over history. Tourists can about vividly learn Shanghai’s history through a display of valuable relics, documents, pictures and advanced audio-visual presentations. The show is made up of 6 parts: leased territory, old municipal construction and street scenes, urban economy in Shanghai modern culture, city life, and political changes, and displays the profound changes in every aspect of Shanghai.

Space Capsule

The inside part of the Space Capsule looks like a space shuttle. An astronaut is welcoming you at the entrance of the Space Capsule and you can learn some knowledge about outer space and the tower via the videos and photos in the Space Capsule.

Revolving Restaurant

The revolving restaurant is 267 meters off the ground. Diners get a spectacular view of Shanghai City while enjoying lunch or dinner. It is the 2nd highest revolving restaurant in Asia, covering an area of 1,500 sq meters and seats 350 customers at a time. The restaurant revolves once every 2 hours. The night view is particularly awesome. The price of the meal includes the programs of Ticket B.

Travel Information

Bus 81、82、85、774、789、795、870、971、983、985、993, Bus NO. 1 on Lujiazui Finance Trade Zone and Lujiazui Tourist Lines;

The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel goes to the Tower after crossing the river;

Ferry Lujin Line and Taigong Line crossing the river to the Tower for CNY2/person;

Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Lujiazui Station (Exit 1) for a ticket fare of CNY6/person.

Shanghai History Museum CNY35/person

Landmark Paradise - Magic World Travel CNY120/person

Sky Walking Standard Package (263m Sky Galleria + 259m Transparent Sky Walking + Shanghai History Museum) CNY160/person

Sky Walking Value Package (263m Sky Galleria + 259m Transparent Sky Walking + 78m “Future Shanghai” Multimedia Show + Shanghai History Museum + Landmark Paradise) CNY190/person

Sky Walking Superior Package (351m Space Capsule + 263m Sky Galleria + 259m Transparent Sky Walking + 78m“Future Shanghai” Multimedia Show + Shanghai History Museum) CNY220/person

Sky Walking Deluxe Package (263m Sky Galleria + 259m Transparent Sky Walking + 78m “Future Shanghai” Multimedia Show + Shanghai History Museum + Huangpu River Cruise) CNY260/person

Lunch CNY338/person, dinner CNY378/person P.S. The lunch and dinner include the same attractions: 267m Revolving Restaurant Buffet + 263m Sky Galleria + 259m Transparent Sky Walking + 78m “Future Shanghai” Multimedia Show + Shanghai History Museum)

Day Tour Package

Ascending to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower during the daytime and admiring the night view of the tower and the Bund at night, join in our Classic Shanghai Tour to do them all!

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