SHANGHAI’S FIVE TALLEST AND MOST IMPRESSIVE TOWERS
When discussing the places in China that are most responsible for the development of skyscrapers, Shanghai is often mentioned. The city’s most recognizable landmarks are 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 towns, Shanghai’s first skyscrapers were among the country’s tallest.
Shanghai’s architects must have a keen eye for skyscrapers, 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. See below for a rundown of some of Shanghai’s most towering structures. When it comes to skyscrapers and famous landmarks, Shanghai is right up there with the best of them. The only thing standing between you and the breathtaking Shanghai cityscape is a valid China Visa.
SHANGHAI TOWER
- Chinese Name: 上海中心大厦
- Height: 632meter (2,073 feet)
- Location: 501, Middle Yincheng Road
As the tallest building in Shanghai, China, and the second-tallest in the globe, Shanghai Tower dominates the skyline. The Jin Mao Tower can be seen in the far north, and the Shanghai World Finance Center can be seen in the far east of this panorama of Shanghai.
OBSERVATION DESK FOR SHANGHAI TOWER
Visit the top of Shanghai’s tallest structure for breathtaking panoramas of the metropolis. Views of the Huangpu River, the Bund to the west, and other Shanghai buildings like Jin Mao Tower can be had from this vantage point.
Take the fast elevator up to the 118th floor to reach the exhibition space on level B1. They can see the Shanghai Eye display on floors 125 and 126.
CONSTRUCTION OF SHANGHAI TOWER
A river basin provided a stable base for the construction of the Shanghai skyscraper. Engineers drove 990 foundation piles as deep as 282 feet into the earth and filled them with 61,000 cubic meters of concrete to create a sturdy subfloor. The border served as a fastener for the structure above.
The snakelike exterior of this Shanghai tower winds its way ever higher. As the building rises, it twists by one degree on each level to mitigate the impact of the wind. For a structure of Shanghai Tower’s stature, this is an absolutely crucial feature. The structure is better able to withstand the winds and rains of the region’s frequent typhoons.
Two glass skins, one interior and one exterior, overlap the tower like a tube to create the skyscraper’s distinctive appearance. These two tubes, ranging in width from 1 meter to 10 meters, provide adequate floor space for the building’s occupants. In addition, it insulates against heat transfer, functioning much like a thermos. The city benefits because less money is spent on central air conditioning thanks to this impact.
The Shanghai Tower is impressive not just because of its height. The nine districts of the city were designed with the idea of a “vertical city within a city” in mind. Each section has 12-15 stories and the entire building is over 380,000 square meters and has 128 levels and 149 elevators. The complex houses a variety of establishments, including hotels, stores, boutiques, gardens, offices, and meeting spaces. Located in this Shanghai skyscraper are three of the world’s fastest lifts, each capable of reaching speeds of up to 65 kilometers per hour.
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 reason this structure is so well-known? Outside, it looks like a bottle opener. It can be found in the heart of Pudong’s business district.
The Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) has a shopping center and convention space. In addition to banks and other financial institutions, this Shanghai skyscraper also houses a number of prestigious restaurants and meeting spaces. Don’t be fooled by the building’s moniker; it’s actually a mini-metropolis on the inside of an actual city. Many notable features can be found there, including dining options and retail centers. The penthouse level is set aside for sightseers and other visitors. Offices, shops, and conferences can all be found in one location, and there are even spots to unwind.
VIEWS FROM SHANGHAI WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER (SWFC)
When the sun goes down and the city lights come on, the view from the SWFC is truly spectacular. SWFC is the best location to go if you want to see Shanghai from above or have a professional photo taken of you in front of the city’s landmarks.
Amazing views of Shanghai’s skyline can be had from the SWFC’s observation platform. Unparalleled perspective of Pudong and Huangpu River waterfront. The Jin Mao Tower can be seen off to the west.
IDEAL VIEW OF SHANGHAI
The 750 m2 of hall space that make up the 94th-floor observation platform is spread out in a variety of configurations. It’s a great location for an exhibition thanks to the breathtaking panorama of the Huangpu River and the stylish backdrop of the Shanghai skyline. You can get the best mementos and pictures here.
SEVERAL PICTURES ON THE 97TH FLOOR
Multiple vantage points within SWFC provide breathtaking panoramas of the Shanghai cityscape. You’ve found the right deck for those selfies and photo ops.
THE 100TH FLOOR ALLOWS FOR A SKYWALK WITH A BIRD’S VIEW EYE
The skywalk at the SWFC is absolutely incredible. The reinforced glass floor stretches for 60 yards across the top level. You can see the Huangpu River and the Chinese skyline from above. When night falls, the cityscapes are even more beautiful than they were during the day.
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
Among the world’s tallest buildings is the Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Shanghai, which ranks sixth. Eleven steel balls of varying sizes form the structure, which hangs in the air above the verdant meadow below. This tower creates an iconic image described as an important and small pearl dropping on a plate of jade.
HIGHLIGHTS OF ORIENTAL PEARL TOWER
This Shanghai skyscraper features three separate observation decks, each offering a unique perspective of the city. Each structure boasts an attractive observation platform from which sightseers can take in the breathtaking panorama of the Shanghai skyline. The Space Module, at a height of 350 meters, is the tallest cylinder in the system. A breathtaking panorama of Shanghai awaits.
The lowest sphere, between 850 and 876 feet in altitude, has three distinct layers. The upper floor is a rotating restaurant, and floors two and three are a lookout over the city. The glass observation deck at 259 meters provides breathtaking views of the Huangpu River below. Space City, the smallest spheroid, stands at a mere 295 feet in the air.
SHANGHAI HISTORY MUSEUM
Tourists can find the Shanghai Museum of History on the ground floor, which houses thousands of relics from Shanghai’s past as well as miniature versions of some of the city’s most impressive buildings. The museum is an excellent resource for learning about the long and illustrious cultural history of Shanghai.
THE REVOLVING RESTAURANT
The tower is home to the tallest revolving restaurant in all of Asia. Visitors to this Shanghai high-rise can discover it in the building’s second large ball, which is located 263 meters up the tower. Dinner and lunch are served from a buffet featuring a wide variety of Western and Asian dishes.
JIN MAO TOWER
- Chinese Name: 金茂大厦
- Height: 420.5 meter
- Location: No. 88-century road Pudong
One of Shanghai’s most notable buildings, the Jin Mao Tower sits on a plot of ground measuring 24,000 square meters. The design is a combination of the newest technology with ancient Chinese style. The structure was designed around the number eight, which has auspicious meaning in Chinese culture. In addition, eight is considered a fortunate number in Buddhism.
This Shanghai skyscraper, at 420 meters when it was finished, was the highest in China at the time. Even today, it remains among the most recognizable. The 88-story structure has set a new standard for skyscrapers in Shanghai and beyond.
On the 38th level, guests of the Hyatt Hotel that occupies the tower will be treated to a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding area. There are offices on the first 50 levels of the building. The 20,000 square meters of retail, exhibition, cinema, and meeting space in the 6,000 square meter podium are spread out over six floors. The tower’s reflective pool and surrounding landscaped yard offer a pleasant respite from the bustle of Shanghai’s urban environment.
Engineers installed sophisticated structural features in the tower to safeguard it from earthquakes and tycoons. The structure is metal during the day and glass at night, reflecting the city’s ever-changing skyline.
SKYWALK TOWER AT JIN MAO
An additional feature of the structure is the “wander in the cloud” service. A glass skywalk measuring 60 meters in length and 1.2 meters in width, with no railings, is available for pedestrian use. This thrilling experience can be found on the 88th observation deck. As an added bonus, you can get a great look at the waterway below from here 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. Nanjing Road, China’s busiest shopping thoroughfare, runs right by it. The tower in Shanghai is conveniently situated near other tourist hotspots, such as People’s Square.
There are three interconnected architectural components that make up the tower: the plaza, the central tower, and the retail podium. The tower’s southwestern and northernwestern faces meet at a perpendicular intersection. The building’s height is a result of its gradual reduction in width and expansion in height.
The angles formed by the offset strengthen the building’s overall design, and this motif is carried throughout the structure. The two towering towers atop this structure are held up by angular pillars.
Aside from the side, where the building’s shape is most apparent, the structure is encased in glass. At night, the building’s towers and corners are brilliantly illuminated by LED lights.
