Oriental Pearl Tower Building
Television tower with distinctive spherical observation platforms
Dominating Pudong's skyline, the Oriental Pearl Tower offers multiple observation spheres, a glass-floored viewing platform and a revolving restaurant, drawing visitors for panoramic Huangpu River and Bund views.
Oriental Pearl Tower at a Glance#
Address: 1 Century Avenue, Pudong, Shanghai 200120, China
Website: http://www.opshanghai.com/
Hours: Daily; observation decks typically 9:00am-9:30pm (hours may vary)
Admission: Observation deck tickets CNY 160-200 (prices vary by deck and time)
About Oriental Pearl Tower#
The Oriental Pearl Tower is a landmark TV and observation tower in Shanghai’s Lujiazui district, completed in 1994 and standing 468 metres tall. It functions as a broadcast tower and a public viewing attraction.
Multiple observation platforms and visitor facilities are located in the tower, including a revolving restaurant and exhibition spaces; the tower is a prominent element of the Pudong skyline when viewed from the Bund. The base of the tower houses museum and exhibition areas related to the city’s history and development.
Construction took place in the early 1990s as part of Pudong’s rapid commercial development and the tower opened to the public in 1994. Since opening it has been used for tourism, broadcasting and exhibition purposes.
The tower sits on the eastern bank of the Huangpu River in Pudong, facing the Bund and central Shanghai, and is accessible via the Lujiazui metro station and river-front promenades.
- Best time for photos: Night illuminations and LED lighting create a strong skyline presence, so sunset and evening are popular times for skyline photos across the Huangpu River.
- Access: Located in the Lujiazui financial district and served by Metro Line 2, with the Bund and other Pudong towers within short walking distance.
How to Get to Oriental Pearl Tower#
Take Line 2 or Line 14 of the Shanghai Metro to Lujiazui Station; the tower is a short walk southeast from the station across the Oriental Pearl plaza.
Tips for Visiting Oriental Pearl Tower#
- Book a timed ticket for the highest observation deck to secure the best views; lines can be long at sunset.
- Visit early morning for clearer air; Shanghai's skyline can become hazy later in the day, especially in colder months.
- Combine a visit with a walk along the Bund across the Huangpu River for the classic Shanghai skyline photograph.
Best Time to Visit Oriental Pearl Tower#
Autumn (September-November) offers the clearest views of Shanghai's skyline; sunset visits are dramatic but busier.
Weather & Climate near Oriental Pearl Tower#
Oriental Pearl Tower's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1052 mm/year), wettest in June.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 1° - 8° | 2° | 41 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.5 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.2h |
| February | Good | 3° - 9° | 3° | 53 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Acceptable | 6° - 13° | 7° | 68 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.7 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.9h |
| April | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 78 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.8h |
| May | Very Good | 16° - 24° | 20° | 95 mm | overcast | 77% | 3.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.6h |
| June | Good | 21° - 27° | 24° | 162 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.5 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.0h |
| July | Good | 25° - 31° | 33° | 143 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.8h |
| August | Good | 25° - 31° | 32° | 147 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.1h |
| September | Very Good | 21° - 27° | 24° | 131 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 12.2h |
| October | Excellent | 15° - 23° | 19° | 49 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.3h |
| November | Very Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 45 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.2 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.4h |
| December | Good | 3° - 11° | 5° | 40 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.4 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.0h |
