Guide to the Shanghai Tower: Tickets, Transport, and the Best Views

Q: <strong>4. How much time should I set aside for the visit?</strong>

On average, plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours . This covers security, the elevator ride, and walking the deck. If you add the 126th-floor Damper Experience or sit down for afternoon tea, plan for closer to 3 hours .

If you’re planning a visit to Shanghai and looking to see the skyscrapers, you’ve likely heard of the Oriental Pearl Tower. And while that one is indeed iconic, I highly recommend heading to the “Top of Shanghai” at the Shanghai Tower as well!

Standing at a staggering 632 meters (2,073 feet), its sleek, spiral design is one of the most impressive spots I’ve seen in the city. On my most recent trip, I finally made it up to the observation deck on the 118th floor. It offers an unreal 360-degree view of the city, with the Huangpu River snaking through the skyline below.

If you have the time, you won’t want to miss the elevator ride up to the 126th floor for the unique Damper Light Show. This is where you can see the harmonic absorber at the heart of the building, which helps to keep the building stable during high winds and earthquakes.

Getting to the Shanghai Tower

The tower is located in the center of the Lujiazui financial district, so getting there is a breeze.

By subway (recommended): Take Line 2 to Lujiazui Station. Use Exit 4 or 6, and it’s about a 10-minute walk to the main entrance. The subway is the best way to avoid Shanghai’s notorious rush-hour traffic.
By ride-hailing (Didi): You can also use Didi (the Chinese equivalent of Uber) to go straight there. If you’re traveling with 2 or 3 people, it’s a great value.

Tickets & Hours

While you can buy tickets at the box office outside the observation hall, I strongly suggest booking online in advance (Trip.com is very international-friendly). You can just scan your QR code and walk right in.

Ticket Type	Price (RMB)	Price (Approx. USD)
Adult	180 RMB	~$25
Student/Senior	120 RMB	~$17
Child (1.0m-1.4m/3’3″-4’7″)	90 RMB	~$13
Combo Ticket (includes Damper Gallery)	220 RMB	~$31

Hours: 8:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. (Last entry at 9:00 p.m.)

Payment note: While major sites like Trip.com take international credit cards, it’s a good idea to have Alipay or WeChat Pay set up on your phone for smaller purchases inside the tower.

Catch Golden Hour

The best time to go is about an hour before sunset. This way, you can catch the golden hour views over the Bund (the city’s famous waterfront), and then wait for the city lights to flicker on. The Lujiazui skyscrapers usually light up around 7:00 p.m., and seeing the neon skyline from the 118th floor is like nothing else.

A Quick Backstory

Construction on the Shanghai Tower started back in 2008 and took seven years to finish, finally opening in 2015. Building something this tall was a huge engineering task, as the team had to make sure it could handle high winds and potential earthquakes.

Today, it’s a key part of the “Lujiazui Trio,” alongside the Jin Mao Tower and the World Financial Center. Locals often call the three buildings the “Lujiazui kitchen set,” as their unique shapes resemble an eggbeater, a bottle opener, and a syringe. It’s a bit of local humor that adds some character to the skyline.

The Vision and Design

The Shanghai Tower is currently the tallest building in China and the third-tallest in the world, with 128 floors reaching 632 meters (2,073 feet). It was designed by the American architectural firm Gensler.

One of its most practical features is the “double-glass skin.” Think of it like a giant thermos—the space between the inner and outer glass walls creates an insulation layer that keeps the temperature steady and saves energy. The spiral shape isn’t just for looks, either. According to data from Gensler, the 120-degree twist helps the building “shed” wind pressure, reducing the wind load by 24%. This design choice alone saved the project about $58 million in structural steel costs. Beyond the engineering, the spiral form is meant to symbolize Shanghai’s steady upward momentum and its drive to reach new heights.

Exploring the Tower

I’ve been following this landmark since it first opened, and it’s a place I really enjoy visiting. The observation decks on the 118th and 119th floors are the main reason that people visit the Shanghai Tower. At 546 meters (1,791 feet), it feels as if you’re in the clouds, with a great view of the other two skyscrapers.

Beyond the height, there are a few interesting spots inside:

Duoyun Bookstore (52nd Floor): One of the highest bookstores in the world and a quiet place to see the view.
The J Hotel: One of the highest luxury hotels you’ll find anywhere.

My Experience: Getting There

We walked to the tower from the Lujiazui metro station. It’s one of those buildings that seems close when you look up at it, but because of its size, it actually takes about 10 minutes to walk to the entrance. And once you arrive, it’s hard to wrap your head around just how big it actually is. Since we had already bought our tickets online, we just scanned the QR code and went straight in, which I highly recommend doing to save time.

Security Check

Once you are inside, you will need to go through security. Make sure you aren’t carrying any knives, lighters, or flammable items. The process does feel a bit disorganized because of the crowds. Even with staff members asking people to wait their turn, line-cutting is fairly common, which can be frustrating.

The process is similar to what you’ll see at Chinese subways or high-speed rail stations: you place your bags on a scanner belt while you walk through a metal detector. It is a routine procedure, but keep a close eye on your belongings as they come off the belt to avoid any mix-ups. There are plenty of cameras in the area, which helps if any issues do arise.

The Photo Zone

After security, you will pass through a photo area where staff take a shot of you against a green screen. They later edit in the tower as a background, and you can choose to buy the print once you reach the observation deck. We decided to skip this. These photos are often quite expensive, and the quality is usually just average, so we preferred to take our own photos at the top.

Ground Floor Exhibits

There is an exhibition area on the ground floor that many people walk past quickly, but it is worth a few minutes of your time. It features information about the tallest buildings in the world, including the Burj Khalifa, Taipei 101, and Merdeka 118. It’s a good way to get some perspective on how the Shanghai Tower compares to other architectural giants around the world.

The Elevator: A Journey in the Clouds

Even on a busy Saturday, the line for the elevator moved surprisingly fast. This is one of the fastest elevators in the world, hitting speeds of 18 meters per second (about 40 mph). It takes only 55 seconds to reach the observation deck at 546 meters (1,791 feet).

The elevator car is very modern, with LED screens showing your altitude in real-time. Due to the rapid change in air pressure, your ears will likely pop, which can be uncomfortable. Swallowing or yawning usually helps. If you are traveling with children, it’s a good idea to warn them about this beforehand so they don’t get scared.

The Observation Deck

The observation deck is a large circular hall with floor-to-ceiling glass. Recently, they’ve added some Shanghai-themed photo props to add to your photos.

On a clear day, you can see for miles. From this perspective, all of the other city buildings below look like scale models. Even the famous “Bottle Opener” (the World Financial Center) and the Oriental Pearl Tower look small beneath you, which really gives you a sense of just how high you are. Looking down, you’ll also see the Huangpu River snaking through the city. Its name literally means “Yellow Bank River,” and from here, you can see why—the water has a distinct golden-brown color due to the sediment.

The Wishing Tree

You will likely notice a “wishing tree” covered in heart-shaped cards. It is a popular spot for visitors to write down their hopes or goals. It’s a simple, sentimental ritual that many people find charming.

Sky Post Office

There is a small post office on the 118th floor where you can mail postcards to friends or yourself. It’s a nice way to send a memory home to your loved ones or as a reminder of your travels. Postcards are available on both the 118th and 1st floors for about 8 RMB (just over $1).

The postage is surprisingly affordable:

Within China: 0.8 RMB (about $0.11)
International: 5 RMB (about $0.70)

If you don’t see anyone at the counter, the staff are usually in the souvenir shop right next door and can help you there.

The Gift Shop

There is a souvenir shop on the observation level as well. If you are looking for a keepsake, I’d suggest sticking to the items that are specific to the Shanghai Tower. These are exclusive to this shop and therefore more unique. For more generic Shanghai souvenirs, you are better off waiting, as you can usually find the same items at much lower prices in the shops at street level.

The 126th Floor Damper Experience

If you aren’t in a rush, consider adding the “126th Floor Damper Experience” to your visit, this add-on lets you see the 1,000-ton tuned mass damper—suspended by massive steel cables—which helps stabilize the building during typhoons and earthquakes. . Though it does require a separate ticket. You can reserve a time slot at the self-service kiosks on the 119th floor.

Right above it is an art installation called the “Eye of Shanghai,” which was inspired by ancient Chinese mythology (the Classic of Mountains and Seas).

The visit includes a 15-minute multimedia show using lasers and 3D projections. It’s a quiet, high-tech way to see the very top of the building before heading back down.

Café Top of Shanghai

The 119th floor also has a restaurant called Café Top of Shanghai. The café is known for its “Cloud Afternoon Tea,” where you can have snacks while looking out over the city.

One of the biggest perks of booking the afternoon tea is that it often includes VIP skip-the-line access. You can scan your voucher and take the high-speed elevator directly up, which saves a lot of time and helps you avoid the main crowds.

The best part, though, is having a dedicated table. While most visitors are standing or navigating through the crowds on the main deck, you’ll have a comfortable, private spot to sit and relax with your family while you enjoy the food and the view.

A Money-Saving Tip

If you plan to eat there, I don’t recommend buying items individually because the prices are quite high. Instead, look for a combo ticket, on apps like Trip.com, that includes both the entry fee and the tea.

For adults, these combos are usually about 100 RMB (~$14) more than a standard ticket, which is a much better deal than purchasing separately.

I didn’t realize this before my trip and ended up paying 38 RMB (~$5.30) just for a single slice of Oreo cake for my child, which was a bit of a sting. If you want to save money, outside food is permitted, so I’d suggest bringing some small snacks in your bag to keep everyone energized during the tour.

However, if it fits your budget, the afternoon tea is a nice way to enjoy the view without feeling rushed.

Catching the Night View

In my opinion, sunset is hands-down the best time to visit the observation deck. When I visited, I was able to watch the sunbeams break through the clouds and paint the city below in a golden hue. It was a very peaceful moment that I hope you are able to enjoy yourself.

Once 7:00 p.m. hits, the city transforms. The skyscrapers in Lujiazui and the historic buildings along the Bund all light up at once. This usually causes a stir as everyone rushes to the windows. It is easily the most popular time to be there, so expect to share the view with lots of other tourists.

As night falls, the Huangpu River comes to life with brightly lit cruise boats. From this height, the historic architecture of the Bund looks particularly grand. If your phone or camera has a good zoom, you can get some great top-down shots of the older buildings.

One of the most popular angles is looking straight down at the roof of the Jin Mao Tower on your left, and the “Bottle Opener” (Shanghai World Financial Center) on your right. It’s pretty surreal to realize you are seeing two of the tallest buildings in the world from above.

My Final Take: An Honest Review

The visual experience from the “Top of Shanghai” is unmatched. Because it’s the tallest building in the city, it’s a pure, unobstructed view for miles.

However, if you’re going at night, there is one minor downside: the indoor lighting is a bit too bright. This creates strong reflections on the glass, which can make it a real struggle to snap a clear photo. For a place designed for sightseeing, I personally wish they would dim the lights a bit to help with photography.

A quick tip: try leaning your phone lens directly against the glass to cut down on the glare.

Summary

Overall, the Shanghai Tower is definitely worth the trip, and I hope this guide helps you plan for it. Compared to other world-famous observation decks like the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (which can cost at least $50–$150), the pricing here is a steal at around $25. Standing above the clouds is a once-in-a-lifetime perspective. Safe travels!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes, I highly recommend it. While you can buy them at the gate, the lines can be very long, especially on weekends and holidays. Booking through an app like Trip.com is the most efficient way, as you can skip the ticket window and just scan your QR code at the entrance.

This is a major factor to consider when sightseeing in Shanghai. If it’s very cloudy or rainy, the top of the tower can experience a “total whiteout,” where you see nothing but fog.

Pro Tip: Before heading to the tower, look up at the summit of the building from the street. If the top is hidden in the clouds, it’s better to save your money and try again on a clearer day.

If you only have time for one, pick the one that fits your “vibe”:

Shanghai Tower (the tallest): Best for the “Top of the World” feeling. It’s the highest and most modern, allowing you to look down on every other building in the city.

Oriental Pearl Tower (best for families): This feels more like a theme park than just an observation deck. It has a VR roller coaster, a great history museum on the lowest level, and a famous glass-bottom outdoor walkway. If you are traveling with kids, this is usually a favorite.

The bottom line: Go to the Shanghai Tower for the height and the upscale experience. Go to the Oriental Pearl if you want to keep the kids entertained with activities and the glass floor.

On average, plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours. This covers security, the elevator ride, and walking the deck. If you add the 126th-floor Damper Experience or sit down for afternoon tea, plan for closer to 3 hours.

The observation deck is fully enclosed with very thick glass, and the hall is wide enough that you don’t have to stand near the windows if you feel nervous. However, keep in mind the elevator is very fast (40 mph), and your ears will pop from the pressure change. If you have severe vertigo, the scale of the view might be a bit overwhelming.

Large suitcases are not allowed on the observation deck for safety reasons. However, there is a luggage storage desk near the entrance where you can check your bags. If possible, it’s always easier to leave large items at your hotel.