Shanghai Tower was completed in 2015 and stands 632 meters with 128 floors. Its design twists about 120 degrees over its height, a form chosen to reduce the wind load on the structure. The double-skin facade creates a series of atria between the inner and outer glass, and the tower houses offices, a hotel and the observation level.
The observation deck
The elevator climbs at eighteen meters per second and reaches the viewing floors in under a minute. From level 118 you look down on the neighboring Shanghai World Financial Center and Jin Mao Tower, and across the river at the Bund's stone frontage, which from this height reads as a single continuous wall. On clear days the view extends over the whole city; on hazy days even the adjacent towers can vanish, so it is worth checking the air quality before buying a ticket.
Lujiazui at street level
The area between the towers is an elevated circular pedestrian walkway linking the buildings without crossing roads. It is a good place to walk after descending, and the base of Shanghai Tower is connected directly to the shops below. The Oriental Pearl Tower, with its distinctive spheres, is a short walk away and gives the classic postcard view back toward the Bund.
Practical notes
Book a timed slot in advance, especially at sunset, which is the busiest period. Weekday mornings are the quietest. Photography through the glass is difficult in dark clothing due to reflections, so stand close to the pane. The observation deck is one of three towers offering views; visiting more than one in a day is rarely worth it, and the view from the Bund looking at the towers is a better complement than a second deck.
