BEST 5 HIGH-RISES IN SHANGHAI
Shanghai is notable for being one of the first Chinese cities to foster the development of skyscrapers. The city’s landmarks include the 420-meter-tall Jin Mao Tower and the 468-meter-tall Oriental Pearl Tower. In contrast to the 100-200 meter skylines of most Chinese cities, Shanghai’s early skyscrapers were among the country’s tallest.
Shanghai’s architects must have a keen eye for height, as the city is now home to the world’s second-tallest structure (the Shanghai tower, finished in 2015).
Shanghai, East Asia, is awe-inspiring due to its many skyscrapers that soar more than 400 meters into the air. Shanghai is unparalleled compared to any other city in this regard. Detailed descriptions of Shanghai’s tallest structures can be found below.
Shanghai’s lofty skyscrapers and famous architecture make it a preferred destination. The only thing standing between you and the breathtaking Shanghai skyline is a China Visa.

SHANGHAI TOWER
- Chinese Name: 上海中心大厦
- Height: 632meter (2,073 feet)
- Location: 501, Middle Yincheng Road
The Shanghai Tower is the second-tallest building in the world and the tallest in Shanghai, China. The Jin Mao Tower may be seen in the far north, and the Shanghai World Financial Center can be seen in the far east of this Shanghai skyline.
OBSERVATION DESK FOR SHANGHAI TOWER
Visit the top of Shanghai’s tallest building to take in breathtaking panoramas like these. Views of the Huangpu River, the Bund to the west, and other Shanghai buildings including Jin Mao Tower may be had from this vantage point.
Take the fast elevator up to the 118th floor, where there is an exhibition hall, to see the exhibits. The Shanghai Eye exhibit may be seen on floors 125 and 126.
CONSTRUCTION OF SHANGHAI TOWER
The tower in Shanghai has a sturdy base thanks to its location in a river basin. Engineers drove 990 foundation piles as deep as 282 feet into the ground and filled them with 61,000 cubic meters of concrete to create a sturdy subfloor. The baseboard served as a pivot point for the structure above.
The outside of this Shanghai skyscraper is shaped like a spiraling serpent as it ascends. To mitigate the impact of the wind at higher elevations, the building twists by one degree at each storey. For a structure of Shanghai Tower’s stature, this is an absolutely crucial feature. It strengthens the tower’s ability to withstand the wind and rain of the region’s frequent and severe typhoons.
The tower’s glass facades overlap like a tube, with one on the inside and one on the outside. There is plenty of room for the public to move around in these two tubes, which range in width from 1 meter to 10 meters. As an added bonus, it insulates against heat transfer like a thermos. This impact is useful for the city because it decreases the demand for central air conditioning.
It’s not all about size at the Shanghai tower. The city was planned with the idea of creating a “vertical city within a city,” and as such, it is divided into nine distinct areas. There are around 380,000 square meters available across 128 floors serviced by 149 elevators, with 12-15 stories each section. The complex houses a variety of establishments, including hotels, stores, boutiques, gardens, offices, and meeting rooms. Three of the elevators in this Shanghai building can reach speeds of up to 65 kilometers per hour, making them the fastest in the world.

SHANGHAI WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER
- Chinese Name: 上海环球金融中心
- Height: 492m
- Location: 100 Century Avenue, Pudong, Shanghai, China
Do you know the history of this structure and what makes it so significant? It looks like a bottle opener from the outside. It is in the heart of Pudong, the city’s commercial district.
The Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) boasts a number of amenities, including a shopping mall and exhibition spaces. This Shanghai tower houses not just financial institutions but also a number of prestigious hotels and meeting spaces. The building is more like a city within a city than its name suggests. There are several notable features, including restaurants, malls, and more. The penthouse level is where guests can enjoy sightseeing and other tourist-oriented activities. Offices, shops, and conference rooms share space with rest and recreation areas.
VIEWS FROM SHANGHAI WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER (SWFC)
The sunset and city lights at night provide for a very unforgettable scene from the SWFC. If you want a breathtaking view of Shanghai from above, or a professional photo of yourself set against the cityscape, SWFC is the place to go.
One of the best vantage points of Shanghai’s skyscrapers is the SWFC observation deck. The perspective of the Pudong area and the Huangpu riverbank is unparalleled. The Jin Mao Tower may be seen off to the west.
IDEAL VIEW OF SHANGHAI
On the 94th floor, you’ll find an observation deck with roughly 750 square meters of hall space. It’s a great place to have an exhibition because of the breathtaking scenery of the Huangpu River and the cool backdrop of the Shanghai skyscrapers. The perfect gift or photo op can be found here among the relics and souvenirs.
SEVERAL PICTURES ON THE 97TH FLOOR
Several vantage points inside SWFC provide breathtaking panoramas of the Shanghai skyline. A picture-perfect deck, just right for those selfies and group shots.
THE 100TH FLOOR ALLOWS FOR A SKYWALK WITH A BIRD’S VIEW EYE
Oh my goodness, walking along the SWFC’s skywalk is an amazing adventure. On the one hundredth floor, you can admire the 60 yards of reinforced glass flooring. You can see the Chinese landscape and the bank of the Huangpu River from above and get a bird’s-eye perspective of the locals below. Last but not least, you will adore the stunning views of the city after dark.

ORIENTAL PEARL TOWER IN SHANGHAI
- Height: 468 meter
- Location: No. 1, Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China
- Chinese Name: 东方明珠塔
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Shanghai is the world’s sixth-tallest building. Eleven steel balls of varying sizes were used in its construction; they now dangle over the verdant ground below. This tower creates a memorable visual that has been likened as a small but important pearl falling upon a jade dish.
HIGHLIGHTS OF ORIENTAL PEARL TOWER
There are three main observation decks in this Shanghai skyscraper. Visitors can take in the stunning panorama of the Shanghai skyline from an observation deck in each of the buildings.
The Space Module, at 350 meters, is the tallest spherical in the universe. It’s the best way to see all of Shanghai at once.
The lowest sphere, between 850 and 876 feet in altitude, has three distinct levels. The upper floor is a rotating restaurant, and the lower two floors are an observation deck. The glass observation deck at 259 meters provides breathtaking views of the Huangpu River below.
The Space City, the lowest sphere, stands at a height of 295 feet.
SHANGHAI HISTORY MUSEUM
The Shanghai Museum of History, home to thousands of items from the city’s past, can be found on the first floor, along with some wonderful miniature versions of Shanghai’s landmarks. The museum is an excellent resource for discovering Shanghai’s cultural heritage.
THE REVOLVING RESTAURANT
The tower is home to the highest revolving restaurant in all of Asia. Visitors to this Shanghai high-rise can find it in the building’s second large ball, which is located 263 meters up the tower. You can choose from a wide variety of Western and Chinese dishes at the dinner and lunch buffets.
SPACE CAPSULE
The Space Capsule is styled like an actual spacecraft. At the entrance to the capsule, visitors are greeted by a real astronaut before entering to view movies and photographs from space.

JIN MAO TOWER
- Chinese Name: 金茂大厦
- Height: 420.5 meter
- Location: No. 88-century road Pudong
The Jin Mao Tower, located on a plot of ground measuring 24,000 square meters, has quickly become one of Shanghai’s most recognizable landmarks. The design incorporates cutting-edge technology and classic Chinese aesthetics. The lucky number eight in China inspired the design of this structure. The number eight is also seen as auspicious in the Buddhist religion.
When it was finished, this 420-meter-tall structure in Shanghai was the tallest in China. Even today, it remains among the most recognizable. This 88-story structure has set a new standard for skyscrapers in Shanghai and beyond.
The tower is home to the Hyatt Hotel, whose 38th-floor vantage point offers breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding area. There are offices on the first 50 levels of the building. The exposition hall, movie theater, conference room, and 20,000 square feet of retail space are all housed on a six-story pedestal. A planted yard and reflection pool surround the tower’s base, offering a peaceful escape from the bustle of Shanghai’s urban center.
The engineers of the tower installed sophisticated structural safeguards to safeguard it from earthquakes and tycoons. The tower is metallic and features a lighted glass curtain that mirrors the city’s ever-changing skyline.
SKYWALK TOWER AT JIN MAO
At the tower, you can also use a feature called “wander in the cloud.” A glass skywalk, measuring 60 meters in length and 1.2 meters in width, is available for pedestrian use. This thrilling experience may be found on the 88th observation deck. The view of the river below is stunning from this vantage point as well.
SHIMAO INTERNATIONAL PLAZA, SHANGHAI
- Chinese Name: 上海世茂国际广场
- Height: 250 meter
- Location: Shanghai’s Huangpu District
Located in the heart of Shimao’s bustling downtown is the Shimao International Plaza. Almost 2 million people pass by every day because it is located on Nanjing Road, China’s busiest shopping thoroughfare. Tourists are drawn to the area surrounding this Shanghai tower because of its convenient central placement near other popular destinations such as People’s Square.
The tower’s three interrelated architectural units—the plaza, the center tower, and a retail podium—form a distinctive triangle geometry. There is a right angle at the intersection of the tower’s southwest and northwest faces. The building’s height is a result of its gradual reduction in width and expansion in height.
The setback generates angles that strengthen the building’s architecture, and this motif is carried throughout the structure. The building’s twin spires are held aloft by angular pillars.
The building’s form is revealed on one side, while being enclosed in glass, thanks to the use of light-colored accents. At night, the spires and nooks of the structure are brilliantly illuminated by LED lights.
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