Cloud 9 Sky Lounge, Shanghai

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When you travel you really have to take hold of all unique opportunities that come your way. Whilst in Shanghai, we had the opportunity to have a drink in the highest bar in the world - HELL YEH!!! OF COURSE WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT - STUFF THE COST - JUST DO IT!!!

The Cloud 9 Skylounge is situated in the Jin Mao Building in Pudong, right next to the new Shanghai World Financial Centre. The easiest way to get there is to take the Subway Line 2 and get off at the first stop past Nanjing Road East, I cant remember the name of the stop, but it was only 3rmb to get there from Nanjing Road East Station. Now, that is about as much as anyone told me about getting to the Cloud 9 Skylounge, BUT ... let me tell you that it is not as simple as that. Arent you lucky you have me here to tell you EXACTLY how to get there!!!

We didnt even make a reservation and as we entered the bar I had a sinking feeling that they were going to tell us they had no free tables, but they did! To get to the Jin Mao Building is pretty easy, although its a fair walk from the subway station. We entered the building, looking for signs to the Cloud 9 Skylounge, but found none anywhere. We asked several people, who kept pointing us in the wrong direction. We were going up and down lifts and elevators and getting nowhere. So, we asked what looked like a westerner tourist and he pointed us to the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

OK .... so now here are your directions. Find the elevator to the Grand Hyatt Hotel and take it to the 54th floor. You then have to change lifts and take another elevator to the 85th floor. You then have to YET AGAIN change lifts and take your final elevator to the 87th floor!!! Now, by this time you are very confused and very thirsty so in need of liquid respite! But ... hold onto your wallets, cos drinks up here dont come cheaply!!!

Tracy and I both had 2 drinks and we shared a rather modest cheese platter (thats basically about all we could afford!) and the bill was indeed the dearest food/drink bill on our whole China trip! I had 2 Cosmopolitan Cocktails at 90rmb each and Tracy had 2 Chardonays at 85rmb each and the cheese platter cost 110rmb - total bill of 529rmb!!! Half of that equals $46AUD each - WOW what a price to pay just to say you have been to the highest bar in the world! There is also a 15% surcharge (I call it a tip!) on top of your bill,l but all in all, I would say it was worth it. When we first got there, there was only very light cloud coverage and we had good views of the Pearl Tower, but about half an hour later, the dreaded cloud rolled in again, and we could see absolutely nothing!

BUT WE DID IT!!! WE HAD A DRINK IN THE HIGHEST BAR IN THE WORLD!!!

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This place is located in a skycraper near on the 87th floor (the top floor) of Jin Mao Tower one of the tallest buildings of the world, with a great view of shanghai, I highly recommend it, food is ok and drinks not outstanding but even doe it worthto pay them a visit.

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It's located in the 87th floor in the Jinmao Tower, it's the highest bar in the world.
It has a minimal expense $15 per person plus 15% tip (tip is not common in China).
You can have a great view of the bund if you can get a right seat.
BTW, try to be there before 10pm since all lights on Bund go off at 10pm to save energy. I was there at around 1am, there is no light on any buildings at all. It is sad.

The best place to view the whole city is to go to Cloud 9, the bar at the top of Grand Hyatt hotel in the Shanghai's tallest building. Go first to the hotel lobby on the 54th floor and then change elevator to get to the 85th floor and change again to get to the 87th. The route is not marked easy, but ask the staff for directions.

The views are excellent, but don't go on a cloudy day, as the tower might be enclosed in mist. Photographing is allowed, and most people are shooting away from various places in the bar -- remember that you need a tripod or extremely steady hand to get good night pictures.

The bar is a sight itself -- very dark, lit by candles and ambient light from the ceiling. The prices are steep, but still tolerable -- drinks start from 4-5e and the list is extensive, also for non-alcoholic drinks. There is also food served. Remember to check whether there is a minimum limit for each person to avoid nasty surprises.

It's called Cloud 9 for a very good reason - you are sitting in a lounge on the 87th floor (the top floor) of Jin Mao Tower - the 2nd tallest building in the world - overlloking all of ShangHai. The view on a clear night is mesmerizing. This is definitely not a hidden gem and it's always full of tourists since the Hyatt occupies the top 50 or so floors.

But, after switching elevators 3 times (including a walk through the highest hotel lobby in the world) you get to the top floor and enter Cloud 9. The place is very dark, everything inside is black and the focal point of this place is the view. The music - usally house or acid jazz - adds to the ambience.

However, they do pour a nice martini - a healthy Stoli Martini runs about 50RMB (US$6.00), which is not as steep as I would have thought for a place with such a view.

If you've never been to Shanghai, I highly recommend it, and every time I return I always enjoy going up there to have a drink or 2 to get the feeling of sitting on top of the world.

If you are looking for a cheap place to drink, this is not for you. The last time I was there, there was a 90RMB ($11) drink minimum for each person that entered.

Favorite Dish: Good Stoli Martinis and Cosmopolitans. Not the best drinks in the world, but not bad, either.

The world's tallest hotel: Grand Hyatt Shanghai. Cloud 9, located high up at 87th floor of Grand Hyatt Hotel, enable you to see the city below in its 360 degree splendour.

Favorite Dish: Me and my Cheese Cake at the highest lounge in the World!!! This tea set only cost RMB50, including a piece of cake of your choice and coffee/tea. Cheaper than paying to go up the Pearl TV Tower! Worth of Money. Highly Recommended!!!

Go to the Jinmao Kaiyue Hotel, the highest building in shanghai, 88 floors, and take a life to 56, to the piano bar, the enviro is the best i have seen in all Cafe, price is worthy, look to the cieling, you will find the about 30 floors are above you, a wonderful view. also can take a coffee in other cafe there, birdview the shanghai.