Floor-to-ceiling glass walls at 546 m offer sweeping views over Shanghai, the Huangpu River, and landmarks like Oriental Pearl Tower.
Floor-to-ceiling glass walls at 546 m offer sweeping views over Shanghai, the Huangpu River, and landmarks like Oriental Pearl Tower.
Among the world’s fastest elevators, traveling about 20.5 m/s and reaching the observation deck in ~55 seconds.
A casual café near the observation deck where visitors can enjoy drinks and light snacks with skyline views.
Displays explaining the design, construction, and sustainability features of Shanghai Tower.
Gift shops near the observation level selling skyline-themed souvenirs, postcards, and Shanghai Tower memorabilia.
Digital screens and models showing the tower’s engineering, height comparison with global skyscrapers, and city skyline evolution.
The concept for Shanghai Tower emerged in the early 2000s as part of the development of Shanghai’s Lujiazui financial district. The goal was to create a super-tall skyscraper that would stand alongside Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center, forming a trio of iconic landmarks.
Construction began in 2008 and quickly became one of the most ambitious architectural projects in China. The building reached its full structural height in 2013, and the exterior façade was completed shortly afterward. After extensive testing and interior work, the tower officially opened to the public in 2016.
At 632 meters, Shanghai Tower became the tallest building in China and one of the tallest structures on Earth. Its innovative design, energy-efficient systems, and vertical city concept make it a landmark not only for Shanghai but for modern skyscraper architecture worldwide.
Shanghai Tower was designed by the international architecture firm Gensler, led by architect Jun Xia. The project involved collaboration between Chinese engineering companies and global consultants. The design team envisioned the building as a “vertical city” with mixed-use spaces stacked in zones throughout the tower.
The tower features a twisting glass façade that rotates about 120°, reducing wind pressure and improving stability. Its double-skin façade increases energy efficiency, while the interior is divided into nine vertical zones with offices, retail, and sky gardens. Wind turbines and rainwater systems support the tower’s sustainable design in Shanghai.
Shanghai Tower stands at 632 meters (2,073 feet) tall, making it the tallest building in China and the third-tallest building in the world.
The tower contains offices, retail spaces, restaurants, exhibition areas, a hotel, and one of the world’s highest observation decks open to the public.
Most visitors spend 1 to 2 hours exploring the observation deck, exhibitions, and viewing the skyline.
Shanghai Tower is located in the Lujiazui financial district in Pudong, one of the most modern areas of Shanghai.
The building’s elevators are among the fastest passenger elevators in the world, reaching speeds of about 20.5 meters per second.
Yes, visitors can access the observation deck on the 118th floor, which offers panoramic views of Shanghai and the Huangpu River.