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The Oriental Pearl Tower is Shanghai's unmistakable 468-metre TV tower, its two gleaming spheres rising above Lujiazui like a futuristic landmark. Its 259-metre fully transparent observation deck delivers a heart-racing view straight down to the Huangpu River. With our private guide handling timed tickets and fast-track entry, you skip the queues and see the skyline at its most cinematic.
Completed in 1994 and standing 468 metres tall, the Oriental Pearl Tower was designed by Shanghai architect Jiang Huan Cheng and became the symbol of Pudong's dramatic rise from farmland to financial powerhouse. Its eleven spheres, inspired by the Tang-dynasty poem 'Pipa Xing' — 'pearls large and small falling on a jade plate' — house observation decks, a revolving restaurant, a history museum and a hotel. For a decade it was China's tallest structure, and it remains the most recognisable silhouette on the Pudong skyline, anchoring the Lujiazui financial district alongside the Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower.
The tower sits at the tip of Lujiazui, directly across the Huangpu River from the Bund, so a visit pairs naturally with a stroll along Shanghai's colonial waterfront. Inside, you ride high-speed elevators to the 263-metre main observation level, then descend to the 259-metre transparent glass floor — not for the faint-hearted. The basement holds the Shanghai History Museum, a well-curated collection of dioramas and artefacts tracing the city from fishing village to metropolis. Allow two to three hours to explore properly, and consider timing your visit for late afternoon so you catch both daylight and the neon-lit night skyline.
Take Metro Line 2 to Lujiazui Station (Exit 1), then walk about five minutes along the elevated circular walkway to the tower entrance — it's directly opposite the Bund across the river. Taxis and ride-hailing are easy but traffic in Lujiazui can be heavy. We usually pair the tower with a morning on the Bund, a river ferry or a Huangpu cruise, and our guide meets you at the metro exit so you never lose time finding the right ticket hall.
Tickets range from ¥160 for the basic 263m deck to ¥220 for the combo including the 259m transparent deck and 351m Space Capsule; children under 1.4m and seniors often get discounts. Opening hours are typically 9:00–21:00 (last entry around 20:00), with extended hours in summer.
Book a timed-entry slot online in advance, especially for sunset hours, as walk-up queues can exceed an hour. Foreign cards are widely accepted for online booking via Trip.com, and WeChat Pay or Alipay can be linked to international cards for on-site purchases; our guide can pre-book and hand you the QR code.
Visit between October and November or March to May for clear skies and mild temperatures. For the sharpest views, arrive on a weekday shortly after opening (9:00–10:00) or about an hour before sunset, when you can see the skyline in daylight, at dusk and fully lit without the densest crowds. Avoid weekends and Chinese public holidays if possible.
Yes, especially for sunset and weekends. Online timed-entry tickets via Trip.com or the official WeChat account let you skip the ticket line; our guide can secure them and meet you at the entrance.
The glass is multi-layered and extremely strong, and children are welcome. Staff may ask you to wear protective shoe covers. It can be frightening for young kids, so gauge their comfort first.
Plan two to three hours to visit the main decks, the transparent floor and the Shanghai History Museum. Add an hour if you dine at the revolving restaurant or linger for night views.
Major international cards are accepted at the ticket counter, and you can link Visa or Mastercard to WeChat Pay or Alipay for mobile payments. Carrying some cash in ¥ is a useful backup.
Tell us your dates, group size and preferences — a dedicated consultant will reach out within 24 hours.