Shanghai is notable for being one of the first Chinese cities to foster the development of skyscrapers. The 420-meter-tall Jin Mao Tower and the 468-meter-tall Oriental Pearl Tower are the city’s most recognisable landmarks. While other Chinese towns’ skylines are only 100–200 metres in height, these were the first skyscrapers to rise in Shanghai.
Shanghai’s 2015 Shanghai Tower, the world’s second-tallest building, is a testament to the city’s abundance of talented architects.
Shanghai, East Asia, is awe-inspiring due to its many skyscrapers that soar more than 400 metres into the air. When compared to Shanghai, no other city comes close. Detailed descriptions of Shanghai’s tallest structures can be found below.
Shanghai’s lofty skyscrapers and famous architecture make it a preferred destination. All that stands 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 Centre can be seen in the far east of this Shanghai skyline.
OBSERVATION DESK FOR SHANGHAI TOWER
The best view of Shanghai may be had from the observation deck of the city’s tallest building. 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.
Alternatively, you can take the fast lift up to the 118th floor and visit the exhibition hall there. They can visit the Shanghai Eye’s exhibition 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 metres 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 spiralling serpent ascending the building. The building is twisted by one degree at each floor to mitigate the effects of wind at greater heights. For a structure of Shanghai Tower’s stature, this is an absolutely crucial feature. It strengthens the tower’s defences against the high winds and heavy rains brought by local typhoons.
The tower’s glass exterior and interior faces overlap one another like a tube. There is plenty of room for the public to move around in these two tubes, which range in width from 1 metre to 10 metres. Furthermore, it functions as a heat-insulating layer, much like a thermos flask. This effect is beneficial to the city since it lowers the demand for AC in homes and businesses.
Despite its impressive stature, the Shanghai Tower is about much more than just that. 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. Each portion has 12-15 stories and the entire building is over 380,000 square metres and has 128 floors and 149 elevators. The complex houses a variety of establishments, including hotels, stores, boutiques, gardens, offices, and meeting rooms. This Shanghai building has three of the world’s fastest lifts, each travelling at a whopping 65 kilometres 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 history of this structure and what makes it so significant? The overall form resembles a bottle opener. Pudong, a major financial centre, is where it may be found.
The Shanghai World Financial Centre (SWFC) boasts a number of amenities, including a shopping mall and exhibition spaces. This Shanghai skyscraper is home to a variety of establishments, including a bank, a famous hotel, and a number of meeting rooms. 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 upper floor is set aside for sightseers and other visitors. Offices, shops, and conference rooms share space with rest areas and entertainment venues.
VIEWS FROM SHANGHAI WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER (SWFC)
When the sun goes down and the city lights come on, the view from the SWFC is unlike any other. SWFC is the best spot 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 may be had from the SWFC’s observation deck. You will gain an unparalleled perspective of the Huangpu River and the Pudong neighbourhood. You can see the Jin Mao Tower from the western side.
IDEAL VIEW OF SHANGHAI
On the 94th floor, you’ll find an observation deck with roughly 750 square metres 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. You can pick up some mementos and knickknacks, and maybe even the picture-perfect keepsake, here.
SEVERAL PICTURES ON THE 97TH FLOOR
You may get a fantastic overview of the skyline of Shanghai from the many vantage points that SWFC provides. You have found the ideal location for photoshoots and selfies thanks to this picture-perfect deck.
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. The reinforced glass floor stretches over 60 yards across the top floor. 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, the cityscapes after dark are stunning to behold.
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 spheres of varying sizes made of steel swing in the air over the lush green grass 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. Each structure features an attractive observation deck from which visitors may take in the stunning panorama of the Shanghai skyline.
At 350 metres, the Space Module is the tallest of all spheres. You’ll be able to see all of Shanghai from above.
At the base of the sphere, between 850 and 876 feet in altitude, there are three distinct tiers. The upper floor is a rotating restaurant, and the lower two floors are an observation deck. Views of the Huangpu River are breathtaking from the observation deck, which is 259 metres above ground.
The Space City, the smallest globe, stands 295 feet tall.
SHANGHAI HISTORY MUSEUM
The Shanghai Museum of History, home to thousands of artefacts, can be found on the museum’s ground floor, where visitors may also admire other spectacular miniature works of architecture. The museum is an excellent location from which to gain insight into Shanghai’s cultural heritage.
THE REVOLVING RESTAURANT
The tower is home to Asia’s highest revolving restaurant. Visitors to this Shanghai high-rise can find it in the building’s second large ball, which is located 263 metres up the tower. At both the dinner and lunch buffets, you may choose from a wide variety of both Western and Chinese dishes.
SPACE CAPSULE
The Space Capsule is styled like an actual spacecraft. Visitors are greeted by a real astronaut and given the opportunity to view space-related films and photographs inside the capsule.
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 land measuring 24,000 square metres. The aesthetic merges modern technology with traditional Chinese design elements. The lucky number eight in China inspired the design of this structure. In addition, eight is considered a fortunate number in Buddhism.
When it was finished, this 420-meter skyscraper in Shanghai was the tallest in China. Even today, it remains among the most recognisable. This 88-story structure has set a new standard for skyscrapers in Shanghai and beyond.
The Hyatt Hotel, located on the 38th floor of the tower, offers spectacular views of the surrounding area. There are offices on the first 50 levels of the building. The exposition hall, movie theatre, conference room, and 20,000 square feet of retail space are all housed on a six-story pedestal. Surrounding the base of the tower is a landscaped garden with a reflection pool, offering a welcome respite from the bustle of Shanghai’s urban centre.
Engineers installed sophisticated structural elements in the skyscraper to prevent damage from earthquakes and wealthy individuals. The tower is metal during the day and glass at night, reflecting the city’s ever-changing skyline.
SKYWALK TOWER AT JIN MAO
Guests can also take use of a feature at the tower called “wander in the cloud.” A glass skywalk, 60 metres in length and 1.2 metres in width, is available for pedestrian use. The 88th observation deck is where you’ll find this thrilling experience. 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
Shimao International Plaza may be found in the heart of the city’s bustling commercial district. Almost 2 million people pass by every day because it is located on Nanjing Road, China’s busiest shopping thoroughfare. The tower in Shanghai is conveniently positioned near other tourist hotspots, such as People’s Square.
The tower’s three interrelated architectural units—the plaza, the centre 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 angles formed by the setback strengthen the overall architecture of the structure, and this motif is carried throughout. 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. The building’s spires and edges are beautifully highlighted by LED lights as night falls.