Lujiazui / Pudong, Shanghai

Situated within the Pudong Park in Lujiazui, in the Pudong New Area, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower is 468 meters high. Like the Statue of Liberty in New York, the Sydney Opera House and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower is as much a symbol in Shanghai as it is a spectacular structure. Along with the Nanpu Bridge and the Yangpu Bridge, it forms a picture of two dragons playing with a pearl.

The base of the tower consists of a lobby, a shopping mall and science "fantasy city." Various public and physical plant facilities occupy the two-level basement. The five spheres are designed as a "space hotel" and arranged like a cluster of beads. The observation deck is on the first upper level, at a height of 250-295 meters and a diameter of 45 meters. The so-called space module is even higher at 350 meters and 16 meters in diameter. This observation floor and entertainment area is reserved for special parties and distinguished guests. The antenna extends yet another 118 meters above the building. It transmits TV programs from nine different channels and radio programs from ten FM stations. The tower is equipped with spectacular external lighting, which makes the entire structure colorful and bright.

At the ground floor, the Pearl Tower boasts a magnificent lobby, a sleek elevator zone and an extensive shopping mall. The lower sphere, at 50 meters in diameter, is a self-contained amusement park, with attractions and rides such as a trip through the universe, a tour through space, a time tunnel and an observation corridor.

The Oriental Pearl Tower is a multi-functional establishment satisfying virtually every need of visitors and patrons, including tourism, dining, shopping, entertainment, boarding and Audio & Video Broadcasting. It has already become one of the symbolic buildings and tourism resorts in Shanghai. It is also honored as one of the ten best views in Shanghai

I prefer looking at the Bund and PuXi from the PuDong Waterfront over looking at PuDong from the Bund (the Pu Xi Waterfront).

While it is only my preference, I would encourge first time visitors to Shanghai to see both views of the Shanghai waterfront - from PuDong and PuXi.

The view from PuDong is a look back at Shanghai's past at the various architectures visible on the other side of the Huangpo River.

Also, there is a Starbucks on the PuDong side, which allows you to sip a Latte with probably one of the best views in the world.

I felt a big smile on my face when I saw the futuristic, avant-garde buildings at the other side of the Huangpu river. The Bund is the way I thought the future would look like when I was about 2 or 3 years old.

We had not so much haze during the day so we could see the buildings and even "rename" some of them: one of the Shanghai World Financial Center buildings became "the (beer) bottle opener" and The Oriental TV Tower became "the space needle" and we even joked that it could be a rocket in disguise hehe.

The tower is truly and amazing site. There is a revolving restaurant in the first 'ball' with a full buffet that over looks the whole city and the Huangpu River. I highly recommend eating there, it's pretty inexpensive by our (American) standards of eating out. There is also an observation book and gift shop in the second 'ball'.

Pictured here, a nocturnal view of the exterior of the soaring Jinmao Building, located in Shanghai's futuristic Pudong district, the budding financial and business center of modern China... This particular building is occupied by the Grand Hyatt Hotel, beginning at the 54th floor and continuing up to the 87th floor... Both the 54th and the 87th floors have observation decks though there is a minimum fee of around USD $15 to visit the 87th floor...

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Visitors travel up and down the tower in double-decker elevators. Once you reach your destination, you will be amazed at the variety of activities available as the various spheres and columns actually house places of interest, commerce, and recreation. The inner tower is a recreational palace, while the Shanghai Municipal History Museum is located in the tower's pedestal. The large lower sphere has a futuristic space city and a fabulous sightseeing hall. From here, on a clear day a visitor can see all the way to the Yangtze River. The base of the tower is home to a science fantasy city. The five smaller spheres are a hotel that contains twenty-five elegant rooms and lounges. The pearl at the very top of the tower contains shops, restaurants, (including a rotating restaurant) and a sightseeing floor. The view of Shanghai from this height fills you with wonder at the beauty that surrounds you. When viewed from the Bund at night, the tower's three-dimensional lighting makes it a delight of brilliant color.
Admission Fee: CNY 50
Opening Hours: 08:00 to 21:00
Recommended Time for a Visit: Four and a half hours

This Tower is considered as the symbol of Shanghai and it is such a popular spot for tourists. Personally I have a few suggestions when you visit there.

1. Avoid weekends and holidays - otherwise you will spend a whole day standing in the queue.

2. There are quite a few kinds of tickets. I would suggest you buy the ticket with buffet inside the 2nd top ball (also includes visit to the top). It isn't much more expensive than the visiting tickets, however, you can get to sit at the spinning restaurant and have more time to enjoy the wonderful view of the city. The food is not too bad.

3. Go when the weather is clear and sky is blue. Otherwise u may not see much when u get up there.

Pu Dong or Lu Jia Zui is situated on the east side of the Huangpu River.

Pudong is the finance and business center of Shanghai, and headquarters for most of the multinational corporations and international banks active in Shanghai.

Alot of expats choose to live in Pu Dong. Alot of tall condo are built along the river.

Oriental Pearl TV Station and Jin Mao Tower are both located here.