The Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower is located at No. 1 Century Avenue, Lujiazui, on the banks of the Huangpu River in Pudong New Area, Shanghai. It is one of the first batch of national 5A-level tourist attractions in China, integrating urban sightseeing, fashion dining, shopping and entertainment, historical exhibitions, Huangpu River cruises, convention and exhibition performances, radio and television transmission, and other multi-functions, serving as one of the iconic buildings in Shanghai. The main body of the tower is 350 meters tall, with a total height of 468 meters (including the base and spire), covering an area of about 2,200 square meters, and a total construction area of 100,000 square meters. The main body is assembled from 3 inclined cylinders, 3 straight cylinders, and 11 circular cylinders, with smooth lines that blend a sense of technology and oriental aesthetics.
History and Culture
In 1983, the Shanghai Bureau of Radio and Television first proposed the idea of building a new television tower. In 1984, at the Second Session of the Eighth Shanghai People's Congress, the municipal government's report stated that a new television tower exceeding 400 meters in height would be built in Shanghai. In 1985, after surveying and planning, the original site of the Lujiazui Textile Raw Materials Warehouse and Navy Warehouse was identified as the optimal location. In October 1986, the Shanghai Bureau of Radio and Television officially submitted a proposal for the television tower's construction. In February 1987, a geological survey team confirmed that the geological conditions in Lujiazui were suitable for constructing a 450-meter-high tower. Initially, there were 12 design proposals for the Oriental Pearl Tower. In March 1989, the Shanghai Municipal Standing Committee finally approved a plan and named it "Oriental Pearl." Construction officially began on July 30, 1991, and the tower was capped in 1993. At 12:12 noon on May 1, 1994, the antenna mast at the top of the tower was successfully erected. On October 1, the sightseeing facilities and three-dimensional lighting system of the Pearl Tower began trial operations, and it officially opened to the public on November 18. In 2017, the city square and zero-meter hall of the Oriental Pearl Tower were opened to the public for free.
Main Attractions
Sightseeing Spheres
Includes the second and third spheres. The second sphere is at a height of 259 meters, with a central section being the world's only 360-degree fully transparent glass sightseeing corridor, 150 meters long and 2.1 meters wide, composed of 24 retractable "petal"-shaped tempered glass panels, allowing visitors to closely view the scenery along both banks of the Huangpu River and overlook the entire city of Shanghai. The third sphere is located at 351 meters, designed with the concept of a "space capsule," serving as the highest accessible floor for visitors. The sphere has a diameter of 16 meters and is made of transparent glass, enabling a full-view of Shanghai through the glass.
Shanghai Urban Historical Development Exhibition Hall
Located on the south side of the zero-meter hall at the base of the Oriental Pearl Tower, the exhibition hall covers an area of 10,000 square meters, housing more than 1,000 cultural relics and over 100 life-sized wax figures. The venue uses scene-based displays, supplemented by high-tech means to integrate cultural relics, props, and models, showcasing the modern and contemporary history of Shanghai through seven sections: "Origins of Huating," "Urban Landscape," "Glimpses of the Port Opening," "The Bund," "Maritime Traces," "Architectural Expo," and "History of Vehicles."
Revolving Restaurant in the Sky
Located at 267 meters on the upper half of the second sphere of the Oriental Pearl Tower, with a total area of 1,500 square meters. It is a buffet restaurant with 360 seats, offering dishes from Chinese, Southeast Asian, Japanese, and European cuisines. The restaurant rotates once every two hours, allowing diners to enjoy a full-view of the Huangpu River scenery through the glass windows while dining.
High-Altitude VR Roller Coaster
Located at 95 meters in the lower sphere of the Oriental Pearl Tower, it is China's first and Shanghai's tallest indoor VR roller coaster, adding VR technology to the original indoor roller coaster to enhance the realistic experience.
Oriental Pearl Landmark Paradise · The Fourth Season
Located in the zero-meter hall of the Oriental Pearl Tower, it opened to the public on May 18, 2020, using light and shadow special effects and real 4D scenes to create significant visual art effects.
Circular Multimedia Show
Located at 78 meters in the lower sphere of the Oriental Pearl Tower, it consists of a full-color 3D stereo LED screen, allowing visitors to view a panoramic scene of Shanghai 70 years into the future while walking sideways.
Local Cuisine
Dishes from the Revolving Restaurant in the Sky
Offers four major categories of buffet cuisine: Southeast Asian, Japanese, Chinese, and European. With a business area of 1,500 square meters and 360 seats, diners can enjoy the beautiful river view while dining.
Dishes from the Oriental Pearl Coca-Cola Happy Restaurant
Serves all-category cuisines including Chinese, Japanese, European, Southeast Asian, and various bread and pastries. The restaurant features globally leading Coca-Cola-themed interactive devices such as Coke bear vending machines, special smoothie bars, Fenqu (fun zone), happy ocean balls, and drone food delivery.
Dishes from Old Shanghai No. 8 Restaurant
Primarily serves Shanghai-style cuisine, along with dishes from various regions across China. The restaurant has a large banquet hall that can accommodate 23 tables, a multi-function hall for 6 tables, and 7 private rooms, suitable for hosting various gatherings and banquets.
Admission Tickets
Two-Sphere Sightseeing: Adults 199 RMB, Children 99 RMB, Seniors 119 RMB
Two-Sphere Sightseeing + 351 Space Cabin (Highest Floor): Adults 299 RMB, Children 149 RMB
Two-Sphere Sightseeing + Pearl Wonderland · AR Trendy Bund Experience: 219 RMB
Two-Sphere Sightseeing + Landmark Paradise · MR Fantasy World: Adults 247 RMB, Children 147 RMB
For reference only; subject to actual ticket prices at the scenic area. Seniors, children, and persons with disabilities can enjoy preferential ticketing policies with valid identification.
Opening Hours
The general opening hours of the Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower are 09:00 - 21:00.
Specific opening hours may be adjusted due to seasons, special events, or maintenance needs. For example, during peak tourist seasons or holidays, opening hours may be appropriately extended; during equipment maintenance, opening hours may change. Visitors are advised to check the official website of the scenic area or relevant travel information platforms before traveling to confirm the latest opening hours.
Recommended Itinerary
Visitors can enter from the base of the Oriental Pearl Tower, first visiting the Shanghai Urban Historical Development Exhibition Hall to learn about the historical changes of Shanghai. Then take the elevator to the lower sphere to experience the high-altitude VR roller coaster. Next, go to the 78-meter level to watch the circular multimedia show, followed by the 259-meter fully transparent sightseeing corridor for a skywalk experience. After that, reach the 263-meter main sightseeing floor to admire the scenery along both banks of the Huangpu River, or dine at the 267-meter revolving restaurant in the sky. Finally, go to the 351-meter space capsule to experience projects like space shuttling. The entire tour takes approximately 3-5 hours, depending on the time spent at each attraction.
Transportation
- Metro: Take Metro Line 2, get off at Lujiazui Station, and walk to the destination after exiting the station.
- Bus: Multiple bus routes can reach nearby stops of the Oriental Pearl Tower, including No. 81, 82, 85, 774, 789, 795, 870, 971, 983, 985, 993, and Lujiazui Financial City Route 1.
- Self-Driving: Self-driving visitors can navigate to No. 1 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area. There are parking lots around the scenic area, but parking may be tight during peak tourist seasons, so advanced planning is recommended.
Must-See Attractions
- Fully Transparent Sightseeing Corridor: The world's only 360-degree fully transparent glass sightseeing corridor, 150 meters long and 2.1 meters wide, offering a unique high-altitude viewing experience and close-up views of the Huangpu River banks.
- Shanghai Urban Historical Development Exhibition Hall: With an exhibition area of 10,000 square meters, it vividly displays Shanghai's modern and contemporary history through rich cultural relics, wax figures, and scene-based exhibitions, allowing visitors to deeply understand the city's development context.
- Space Capsule: Located at 351 meters, it is the highest point of the Oriental Pearl Tower, offering a 360-degree overlook of the entire Shanghai urban area and unique high-altitude experiences such as space shuttling projects.
Travel Tips
- Book tickets online in advance to avoid long waiting times for on-site ticket purchases. Choose suitable ticket packages according to your interests and budget.
- Try to avoid peak tourist seasons such as weekends and holidays, and visit on weekdays for a better experience with relatively shorter waiting times.
- Bring small snacks and drinking water during the tour, as catering prices inside the scenic area are relatively high. Note that food and drink may not be allowed in some indoor attractions.
- When visiting the Shanghai Urban Historical Development Exhibition Hall, rent a guided tour device or participate in the scenic area's guided tours to better understand Shanghai's history and culture.
Notes
- Observe order and avoid crowding or roughhousing when taking elevators up and down the tower. In case of elevator malfunctions during operation, remain calm and follow staff instructions.
- In high-altitude sightseeing areas such as the fully transparent sightseeing corridor, pay attention to safety and do not lean against or hit the glass. Tourists with acrophobia or other conditions unsuitable for high-altitude experiences should carefully consider such projects.
- With a large number of visitors in the scenic area, take care of personal belongings, especially in crowded places and when riding amusement facilities.
- Protect the environment in the scenic area and do not litter. Abide by all regulations of the scenic area and engage in civilized tourism.
- When taking photos around the Oriental Pearl Tower, pay attention to personal safety, avoid prolonged stays on the road for photography, and be cautious of oncoming vehicles.