The Oriental Pearl TV Tower rises above Lujiazui in Pudong, across the Huangpu River from the Bund. Its linked spheres give Shanghai’s skyline a distinctive silhouette, and its observation levels bring you close to the river, the Bund and the surrounding skyscrapers. Inside, you can visit the transparent observatory, walk across glass flooring and explore the Shanghai Municipal History Museum near the base. Go up for a different view of the city, or admire the tower lit up from the Bund or a river ferry.
A landmark in Lujiazui
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower stands in Lujiazui, the financial district on the Pudong side of the Huangpu River. From the Bund, it is one of the most recognisable parts of the opposite skyline. Its shape is built around large spheres held by columns, a design that sets it apart from the tall rectangular office towers nearby.
The tower is 468 metres high. It was once the tallest structure in China, before taller buildings in Shanghai overtook it. Although its role is broadcasting, it also contains observation spaces, dining and visitor attractions. The tower’s distinctive outline is part of the view that many people come to Shanghai to see, whether from across the river or from the base in Lujiazui.
Observation levels and the glass floor
The tower has observation areas at different heights, with views across Pudong and the Huangpu River towards the Bund. The Transparent Observatory, at 259 metres, has glass flooring as well as glass walls. Looking down through the floor gives a more direct sense of the height than viewing the city through a window, so it may not suit anyone uneasy with heights.
A higher viewing area is in the Space Module, 350 metres above ground. The upper levels give you a different perspective from the lower observation spaces, but reaching them depends on lifts, and queues can build up. The Shanghai Tower is a taller alternative if height is your main priority. The trade-off is that, from its observation deck, you will not see the Oriental Pearl Tower as part of the skyline.
The Shanghai Municipal History Museum
At the tower’s base, the Shanghai Municipal History Museum presents the city’s history through a collection of more than 18,000 objects. It is a useful counterpoint to the modern towers outside: instead of looking across the contemporary skyline, you can spend time with material connected to Shanghai’s past.
The museum is one reason to include the tower even if you do not plan to spend your whole visit on the upper levels. Check the ticket access details when booking if you want to combine the museum with the observation areas.
Seeing the tower from the river
The tower is also worth viewing from outside. Standing near its base makes its scale and the arrangement of its spheres easier to take in; from the Bund, it forms part of the wider Pudong skyline. A Huangpu River ferry offers another angle, with the tower visible both close to the water and across the cityscape.
After dark, its coloured lights stand out against the evening sky and reflect along the Huangpu River. If you want to photograph the tower itself, the Bund or a river crossing gives you a view that an observation deck inside the tower cannot provide. The two experiences answer different plans: go up to look out over Shanghai, or stay by the river to look back at the tower.
Preguntas frecuentes
Where is the Oriental Pearl TV Tower?
It is in Lujiazui, Pudong, beside the Huangpu River and opposite the Bund.
Can you walk on a glass floor in the tower?
Yes. The Transparent Observatory at 259 metres has glass flooring and glass walls.
Is there a museum inside the Oriental Pearl TV Tower?
The Shanghai Municipal History Museum is at the tower’s base. Its collection includes more than 18,000 objects.
Should you book tickets in advance?
Advance booking is recommended because access can be limited, and queues for the lifts may be long.
