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Oriental Pearl Tower
Standing at 468 meters tall, the Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in Shanghai. It ranks as the fourth tallest tower in Asia and the sixth tallest tower of its kind in the world. Construction began on July 30, 1991, and the tower was officially completed on October 1, 1994.
Sienna Clarke
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Standing at 468 meters tall, the Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in Shanghai. It ranks as the fourth tallest tower in Asia and the sixth tallest tower of its kind in the world. Construction began on July 30, 1991, and the tower was officially completed on October 1, 1994.
Located on the banks of the Huangpu River, the tower faces the Bund and has become an iconic feature of Shanghai’s skyline. Its unique design includes eleven steel spheres of different sizes arranged from the ground upward, creating a beautiful image against the sky. The appearance is often compared to an ancient Chinese poem describing large and small pearls falling onto a jade plate.
Structure and Design of the Tower
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is made up of several major sections, including three large supporting columns, three main spheres, five smaller spheres, the foundation area, and the surrounding square.
The lowest main sphere is known as the bottom ball, while the second sphere is called the upper ball. The highest sphere is the Space Capsule, which provides visitors with a unique experience above the city. Between the tower’s columns is a fully transparent panoramic elevator, allowing passengers to enjoy impressive views of Shanghai during the ride. It was the first completely transparent elevator in the world.
Observation Areas and Attractions
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower offers three main sightseeing levels where visitors can admire Shanghai from different heights. The Space Capsule is located 350 meters above the ground, while the main observation level is positioned at 263 meters in the upper sphere.
The tower also features two outdoor viewing platforms. One is located 259 meters above ground in the upper sphere, while the other is situated 90 meters high in the lower sphere. Visitors can choose to explore these areas together or visit individual sections depending on their interests.
The basement area contains the Shanghai Municipal History Museum, while the first sphere houses the Oriental Pearl Science Fantasy World. The tower also features a revolving restaurant located 267 meters above the ground, making it one of the highest dining spaces in Asia.
Glass-Floor Observation Corridor
The glass-bottom sightseeing corridor in the upper sphere, located 259 meters above the city, is one of the most exciting attractions at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Standing on the transparent floor, visitors can enjoy a complete 360-degree view of Shanghai.
The 150-meter-long glass walkway allows guests to look directly down at the city below, creating an unforgettable experience for those who enjoy a little adventure. Although it is not the highest viewing platform in Shanghai, it provides one of the widest and most impressive panoramic perspectives.
Shanghai Municipal History Museum
Located beneath the tower, the Shanghai Municipal History Museum introduces visitors to the city’s long and fascinating development. Through historical artifacts, documents, photographs, and modern multimedia displays, the museum presents the transformation of Shanghai over time.
The exhibition is divided into six major sections, covering topics such as foreign concessions, traditional streets and urban construction, economic development, modern culture, everyday life, and political changes. Together, these displays show the dramatic evolution of Shanghai from its past to the modern metropolis it is today.
Space Capsule
The interior of the Space Capsule is designed to resemble a futuristic spacecraft. At the entrance, visitors are welcomed by an astronaut figure, creating an atmosphere of space exploration.
Inside, guests can discover information about outer space and learn more about the Oriental Pearl TV Tower through videos, images, and interactive displays. The experience combines science, technology, and imagination in a unique setting high above Shanghai.
Revolving Restaurant
The revolving restaurant of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower is located 267 meters above the ground and offers diners breathtaking views while enjoying their meals. As one of the highest revolving restaurants in Asia, it covers an area of approximately 1,500 square meters and can accommodate around 350 guests at the same time.
The restaurant completes a full rotation approximately every two hours, allowing visitors to enjoy changing views of Shanghai throughout their meal. The nighttime scenery is especially impressive, with the city lights creating a spectacular atmosphere. Dining packages also include access to certain tower attractions included with Ticket B.
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