Shanghai Tower, located in Lujiazui, Pudong New Area, stands as China’s tallest skyscraper and the world’s third-tallest building. It serves not only as a landmark of Shanghai but also integrates commercial, office, hotel, exhibition, entertainment, and sightseeing functions. From the observation deck at the tower’s summit, visitors can take in breathtaking panoramic views of the entire city—the winding Huangpu River, the historic architecture of the Bund, and the forest of skyscrapers in Lujiazui. Standing at a total height of 632 meters, the building features 127 above-ground floors and 5 underground levels, occupying a footprint of 30,368 square meters—equivalent to 4.5 standard soccer fields.
1. Exterior and Design Features
The Shanghai Tower features a spiral architectural structure that resembles a coiling dragon when viewed from afar. This distinctive design breaks away from the monotonous forms of traditional skyscrapers, establishing a unique aesthetic while delivering exceptional functionality. Its gently rotating structure significantly reduces wind resistance, ensuring the tower remains upright and stable even in strong winds. Additionally, the building’s foundation comprises 955 piles, each 86 meters long, deeply embedded into soft soil to securely support a weight of 800,000 tons—equivalent to the combined weight of 70 Eiffel Towers.
The exterior features a double-glazed curtain wall system, enhancing thermal insulation, heat retention, and soundproofing. By day, sunlight bathes the structure in radiant brilliance; while at night, its illumination system transforms into a dazzling display of multicolored lights, adding a vibrant highlight to Shanghai’s skyline. From afar, this soaring, luminous, and transparent structure is truly breathtaking. Inside, visitors can admire magnificent city vistas through the building’s fully transparent glass facade.
2. The Most Memorable Activities at Shanghai Tower
Experience the “Shangri-La” Observation Tour
The “Shangri-La” Observation Tour begins at the exhibition hall on the basement level (B1) of Shanghai Tower. This hall stands out as a showcase space that seamlessly blends culture, technology, and architectural artistry. Through various high-tech displays, visitors gain deep insights into Shanghai’s urban development journey and the construction secrets of Shanghai Tower. Three ultra-high-speed elevators—OB1, OB2, and OB3—operate on the basement level 2 (B2), reaching speeds of up to 20.5 meters per second. Riding these elevators, visitors reach the 118th-floor “Shanghai Summit” observation deck in just 55 seconds. From the deck, you can gaze through transparent glass walls to take in the magnificent panorama of the entire Shanghai metropolitan area. At sunset, you can also experience the romantic ambiance of the fading sunlight.
3. Experience the dynamic interplay of light and shadow through the dampers at Tian Shi 632 Art Space.
Located on the 125th and 126th floors of Shanghai Tower, Tian Shi 632 Art Space is hailed as the “world’s highest art space.” It integrates multi-dimensional artistic expressions including music, lighting, projection, and lasers to create an immersive sensory experience. Spanning two floors, it features the world’s only open-access damper exhibition zone. Equipped with high-tech interactive installations and artistic light shows, it allows visitors to fully appreciate the allure of this 1,000-ton tuned mass damper, hailed as the “Eye of Shanghai.”
4. Enjoy a leisurely “book cafe” experience on the 52nd floor of the Cloudy Bookstore.
The Cloudy Bookstore features unique visual design and serene reading spaces. Most importantly, the bookstore itself is free to enter. Additionally, there are observation decks on both the north and south sides of the store, accessible with unlimited entry upon presenting a receipt for food or beverage purchases made inside. If you’re looking to rest after exploring the bustling areas within the building, this is an excellent choice. Order a cup of coffee and a dessert (priced around 30-50 RMB), immerse yourself in reading while taking in the views, or simply sit by the observation deck and savor a leisurely moment.
5. Admire ancient Chinese artifacts on the 37th floor of the Shanghai Guanyu Museum.
The Shanghai Guanfu Museum features four permanent galleries: the Porcelain Gallery, the East-West Gallery, the Gold Gallery, and the Sculpture Gallery, along with a temporary exhibition hall. The Porcelain Gallery primarily showcases porcelain from various dynasties across northern and southern China, allowing visitors to appreciate the beauty of ancient Chinese porcelain craftsmanship. The East-West Gallery displays over 100 exhibits, mainly export porcelain and furniture, illustrating the journey of cultural exchange and craft fusion between China and the West from the 16th to the 18th centuries. The Gold Gallery displays over 200 pieces, primarily ancient Chinese gold artifacts complemented by gold items from neighboring countries. The Sculpture Gallery features 47 Buddhist statues from ancient China and surrounding nations. If you’re visiting the Shanghai Tower and happen to be interested in ancient Chinese artifacts, don’t miss this museum!
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