CityBuddy
Shanghai Tower
Best time to visit
Late afternoon into early evening is ideal; arrive about 45 minutes before sunset to watch daylight turn into city lights, and visit on weekdays to avoid crowds.
Budget tips
Observation deck tickets typically cost from CNY 180 to 220; book timed-entry online for small discounts, check family or senior rates, and compare combined tourist passes for savings.
Recommended for
Architecture enthusiasts, Photography enthusiasts, Couples, Urban explorers
Plan your visit
1-2 hours
About
Quick facts: Looking up at the spiraling shape feels like being engulfed by a massive glass vortex. The entire tower dominates the skyline at a height of 632 meters. The ultra-fast elevator reaches a top speed of about 20.5 meters per second, swiftly carrying you to observation decks above the hundredth floor. There is a slight pressure sensation in your ears during the ride.
Highlights: Walking into the gap between the outer shell and the tower body reveals a series of sky gardens. The most striking is the observation space on the 118th floor. Standing there, you can feel the high-altitude wind shear and subtle vibrations beneath the glass. At night, the façade reflects a gradient of silver-blue light. Combined with the echo effect produced by the tower’s spiral seams, it almost feels as if you can hear the wind sliding down along the spiral.
Insider tips
- Buy a timed ticket online to skip the ticket queue and secure a sunset slot.
- Head to the north-facing windows for the best views of the Bund and Huangpu River, and use the glass-floor area for dramatic photos.
- Bring a light jacket, higher floors can feel noticeably cooler and windier than street level.
- Avoid weekends and Chinese public holidays; early weekday mornings are the calmest if you want fewer people.
Where to Stay in Shanghai
Selected by City Buddy based on guest reviews and proximity to top attractions
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