Explore Shanghai Tower, China's Tallest Landmark

The Shanghai Tower dominates the city's skyline and is the tallest building in China and the third-tallest in the world after Malaysia's Merdeka and Dubai's Burj Khalifa. Standing tall at 127 stories, this 632-meter landmark has 133 floors, including its five underground levels, and its gently twisting modern shape defines the sophistication of Shanghai's Financial District.

The Shanghai Tower is a multipurpose building with plenty of office and conference room space, observation decks, restaurants, a mall, a world-class hotel, and more. It's also an eco-friendly building that uses innovative, sustainable technology like wind turbines and smart sensors. More than that, it's an emblem of Shanghai's prominent position as a world-class city and a must-visit destination for tourists.

Five Interesting Facts About Shanghai Tower

Shanghai Skyscrapers at the Bund

The Shanghai Tower represents the city's exciting, modern face and is unmatched in luxury, sustainability, and engineering. Plus, it offers gorgeous views of the Bund, Huangpu River, and Financial District.

1. It's Fully Sustainable

The Shanghai Tower embraces the vertical city model, building upwards instead of across for a more sustainable experience. It's a totally self-contained facility featuring plenty of exciting restaurants, great shopping, and a top-notch hotel.

The building has nine distinct zones, each with multi-use spaces such as apartments, offices, and entertainment features. There's also plenty of open space, a modern HVAC system, and a rain-collecting system that allows the tower to be as green as possible. Visitors can explore the different spaces and see how this design truly revolutionizes the way we work and play.

2. It's An Engineering Marvel

While the Shanghai Tower might look elegant rising against the skyline, it's also incredibly strong, with a concrete core that is designed to keep it sturdy even in the event of a natural disaster. This core is revolutionary, as many skyscrapers are built with a steel framework that doesn't stand up to the elements as well.

The distinct twisting shape is more than aesthetic, too. It's built to withstand wind and has two layers of glass for extra insulation. This glass also makes the Shanghai Tower beautiful to look at and photograph.

Admire the Shanghai Tower in Yu Garden

3. It Has Ultra-Fast Elevators

No matter where you need to go in the Shanghai Tower, you can rest assured that you'll get there with lightning speed thanks to its ultra-fast elevators. These elevators move throughout the building at 65 kilometers or 40 miles per hour. Taking them is certainly an experience all in and of itself.

4. Its Observation Platform is Higher Than Burj Khalifa

Although at 828 meters, Burj Khalifa is taller than Shanghai Tower, the Shanghai Tower's public observation deck is six meters taller. From your perch, you'll view Shanghai from 561 meters above the city, getting incredible views of the Bund and Huangpu River.

5. It Has a Sky-High Art Space and a Luxury Hotel

A high-end restaurant in Shanghai Tower

Art lovers will certainly want to check out SKY632, the Shanghai Tower's premier art space on floors 125 and 126. With multi-media exhibits and an impressive and immersive starry skylight show, this space is not only a premium gallery but also the highest of its kind in the world.

You can also stay at the Shanghai Tower's sophisticated J Hotel, located between floors 84 and 110. This hotel is famous for its super-modern suites, fantastic views, and incredible restaurants.

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Comparison of Shanghai's Three Iconic Towers

It's easy to distinguish the three skyscrapers

If you want to see Shanghai's three iconic towers, you don't have to go too far between them. The Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center are all within just a few minutes of each other in the Financial District.

These buildings all have distinctive characteristics, earning them fun names from the local people. The Shanghai Tower is known as the "Egg Beater" or "Electronic Drill." Jin Mao Tower is called the "Syringe," and the Shanghai World Financial Center is nicknamed the "Bottle Opener."

How to Visit Shanghai Tower

Overlook the city in Shanghai Tower

The Shanghai Tower is conveniently located in the Financial District. Its central location means that you can combine several activities, such as walking in the Bund, with visiting Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Oriental Pearl Tower, and Jin Mao Tower.

Take the Line 2 metro to Lujiazui Station, or take a taxi directly to the Financial District, where you'll find all of the attractions within walking distance. You can visit the Shanghai Tower any time of year, but the view from the observation platforms is especially stunning at sunset. The cost to visit the Shanghai Tower observation platform is 180 RMB. It's a good idea to book your ticket in advance.

The tower is open between 8:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. It's a highly popular place, so arriving earlier in the day will likely be better if you want to avoid the crowds.

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Visit Shanghai's Most Impressive Tower

The Shanghai Tower is a futuristic example of sustainable, strong, and impressively modern space that has residential, commercial, and artistic areas all in one. From the world-class hotel to the stunning observation platform, it's genuinely one of the highlights of modern Shanghai. Let China Odyssey Tours help you make the most out of your vacation with a personalized itinerary. Email us at trip@odynovotours.com and get started today.