Shanghai Tower
Shanghai Tower (上海中心大厦) is a 632-metre, 128-storey megatall skyscraper in Lujiazui, Pudong — China's tallest building and the world's third-tallest. Its 'Top of Shanghai' observation deck on the 118th floor sits 546 m above the city, reached by one of the world's fastest elevators.
Key facts
| Hours | Daily 08:30–22:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Metro Line 2 or Line 14 — Lujiazui Station, Exit 6 or Exit 8 |
| Time needed | 1.5–2.5 hours |
| Best time to go | Late afternoon on a clear weekday — catch both daylight skyline and city lights; winter months typically offer the clearest air |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Locals Score
- Value6.0
- Freshness6.0
- Crowd level6.0
- Authenticity5.5
- Accessibility8.0
Frequently asked questions
- What is there to see beyond the main 118th-floor deck?
- The 119th floor has a café and restaurant with city views. Floors 125–126 house SKY632 (formerly the Damper Show), an immersive multimedia art space built around the tower's tuned mass damper — available as a paid upgrade from the 119th floor. A separate light show runs on the 126th floor.
- How do I get to Shanghai Tower by metro?
- Take Metro Line 2 or Line 14 to Lujiazui Station. Use Exit 6 or Exit 8 and follow signs to Shanghai Tower — the building is visible from the station. The journey from People's Square takes roughly 10 minutes on Line 2.
- What are Shanghai Tower's opening hours?
- The observation deck is open daily from 08:30 to 22:00, with last admission at 21:30. Hours apply on public holidays, but check the official site (en.shanghaitower.com) before visiting as closures can occur due to weather.
- Do I need to book Shanghai Tower tickets in advance?
- Advance booking is strongly recommended, especially on weekends and public holidays when the tower attracts over 1.5 million visitors per year. Tickets are time-slot specific and require a valid passport or ID. Online booking via official channels (Ctrip, Meituan, Dianping) or third-party platforms lets you skip on-site queues.
- How fast is the Shanghai Tower elevator?
- The high-speed observation elevators travel at up to 18 metres per second (approximately 65 km/h), reaching the 118th floor in roughly 55 seconds. Three such elevators serve the observatory, making them among the fastest in the world.
- What makes Shanghai Tower architecturally distinctive?
- The tower's outer glass façade twists 120° as it rises, reducing wind load on the structure by up to 24% and cutting structural steel use by about 25% compared with a conventional design of similar height. Nine stacked cylindrical zones each contain public gardens, cafés, and shops between the inner and outer glass skins.
- How much does a Shanghai Tower observation deck ticket cost?
- The standard adult ticket for the 118th-floor observation deck costs ¥180 CNY; holiday pricing rises to ¥199 CNY. Concession tickets (children 101–140 cm, students under 23, seniors 60+) are ¥95–¥125 CNY. Children under 100 cm or under 3 years old enter free.
- How tall is Shanghai Tower and what is it?
- Shanghai Tower stands 632 metres (2,073 ft) tall across 128 floors above ground, making it the tallest building in China and the third-tallest in the world. Designed by Gensler, it is a mixed-use skyscraper housing offices, retail, a hotel (J Hotel, floors 84–110), and the Top of Shanghai Observatory.
Nearby in Ask Shanghai
- Flair Rooftop Restaurant & BarBar0.44 km · 6 min walk
- Oriental Pearl TowerAttraction0.47 km · 6 min walk
- LujiazuiNeighborhood0.47 km · 6 min walk
- Binjiang Forest ParkPark0.48 km · 6 min walk
- Shanghai Tower Observation DeckAttraction0.48 km · 6 min walk
Where to stay near Shanghai Tower
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