Is the Shanghai Tower observation deck worth it?

Yes, if the sky is clear. At 632 m it is the world's third-tallest building, and the 119th-floor deck gives an unbroken 360-degree sweep of the city, reaching across to Suzhou on a good day. On hazy or overcast days visibility collapses and the experience is far weaker, so check the air quality before you commit and time your visit for late afternoon, when the Bund glows gold across the river.

Do I need to book Shanghai Tower tickets in advance?

Booking ahead is recommended. The on-site queue can be long, especially on weekends and clear-weather days. Reserving through Trip.com for roughly 180 RMB lets you bypass the ticket line and pick a time slot. Bring your passport, since it is the ID foreign visitors use for entry. Walk-up tickets exist but you risk both a wait and a sold-out time window during peak hours.

How do I get to Shanghai Tower and how long should I spend?

The tower sits in Lujiazui, Pudong, with direct metro access via Line 2 (Lujiazui station), a short walk from the base at 501 Yincheng Middle Road. Plan about 1.5 to 2 hours: the elevator ride to floor 119 is quick, but allow time for the deck, the engineering museum, and the inevitable photo stops. Late afternoon into sunset is the best window.

Shanghai Tower, Shanghai: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

World's third-tallest building (632m) with a 119th-floor observation deck offering 360° city views.

At a glance

What it is: Landmark
Also known as: 上海中心大厦 (Shàng Hǎi Zhōng Xīn Dà Shà)
Opening hours: 9 AM – 9 PM
Time needed: 1.5-2 hours
Best time to visit: Late afternoon to sunset
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: Full English menu
Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
Entry: Passport booking recommended
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
Address: 501 Yincheng Middle Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai · 浦东新区银城中路501号

See Shanghai Towertickets & tours

Trip.com link · we earn a small commission · disclosure

Shanghai Tower's twisting silver spire is the centerpiece of the Pudong skyline. Take the world's fastest elevator (1,080 m/min) to the 119th-floor observation deck for a panoramic view of the entire city — on clear days you can see across to Suzhou. The tower also houses the highest hotel in the world (J Hotel) and a small museum on its sustainable engineering. Book tickets via Trip.com for around 180 RMB to skip the on-site queue. The best photo light is late afternoon when the Bund's colonial buildings glow gold across the river.

Highlights

119th-floor Observation Deck (119层观景台)360° city views; best late afternoon for golden Bund light
World's Fastest Elevator (世界最快电梯)1,080 m/min; ride up to the 119th floor
J Hotel (J酒店)World's highest hotel; located in the tower
Sustainable Engineering Museum (可持续工程博物馆)Small museum on the tower's green design
Skip-the-line Ticket (免排队门票)Book via Trip.com for ~180 RMB

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

▸Go up late afternoon, then linger past sunset; the same ticket lets you watch the skyline switch from gold to fully lit.
▸Clear-air days are everything here. If the forecast shows haze, photograph the tower from outside instead of paying to ride up.
▸Shoot the deck glass at an angle and stand close to the window to kill the reflections that ruin most skyline phone shots.
▸Skip the on-site ticket window entirely; the pre-booked Trip.com slot puts you past the longest queue on the ground floor.
▸The world's-fastest-elevator ride is over in under a minute, so watch the speed display rather than fumbling for your camera.
▸Lujiazui station connects underground to the IFC mall, an easy air-conditioned food-and-toilet stop before or after your climb.
▸For the postcard shot of the tower itself, cross to the Bund at dusk rather than trying to frame it from its own base.

Photos

Stunning view of Shanghai skyline at dusk with the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower prominently featured.

Shanghai skyline illuminated against the night sky featuring iconic skyscrapers.

Stunning view of Shanghai's modern skyline with the iconic Shanghai Tower and financial district.

A stunning view of Shanghai's skyline featuring modern skyscrapers and iconic architecture.

Panoramic view of Shanghai's iconic skyline featuring the Oriental Pearl Tower and bustling cityscape.

A vibrant view of the Shanghai skyline featuring iconic skyscrapers under a clear blue sky.

View of Shanghai's iconic skyline featuring the Oriental Pearl Tower and modern skyscrapers.

Stunning night view of Shanghai's skyline reflecting on the Huangpu River, featuring iconic skyscrapers.

Sunlit view of Pudong's modern skyscrapers across the Huangpu River in Shanghai.

Breathtaking view of Shanghai's modern skyline with the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower and waterfront.

Stunning skyline of Shanghai featuring the Oriental Pearl Tower and modern skyscrapers.

Close-up of the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai, showcasing its unique design against modern skyscrapers.

Stunning night view of Shanghai skyline with illuminated skyscrapers and the Oriental Pearl Tower reflecting in the water.

Capture of Shanghai's iconic skyline featuring the Oriental Pearl Tower during a clear day.

What travelers say (3 reviews)

Marcus W.·TripAdvisor·5/5

The fastest elevator in the world really does have your ears popping. View from 119F is unreal.

2026-04-18

Hannah P.·Google Maps·4/5

Book Klook tickets ahead — skip the 1-hour queue. Go right before sunset for best photo conditions.

2026-03-22

高楼控·Xiaohongshu·5/5

去过迪拜哈利法塔，上海中心的观景体验更舒服，玻璃更通透。

2026-02-15

Watch creators visit Shanghai Tower

Each clip is timestamped to the moment the creator arrives at this stop.

Shanghai: China's Largest & Richest City | Travel Guide 2025

CoolVisionStarts at 4:07

Skyscrapers of Shanghai

First Time in CHINA'S MEGACITY: SHANGHAI 🇨🇳

Jan and AnnStarts at 5:06

Explicit mention at 5:06, observatory and bookstore

Videos

China's Tallest Building: Shanghai Tower | China's Mega Projects | Free Documentary

Free Documentary

Frequently asked questions about Shanghai Tower

Is the Shanghai Tower observation deck worth it?: Yes, if the sky is clear. At 632 m it is the world's third-tallest building, and the 119th-floor deck gives an unbroken 360-degree sweep of the city, reaching across to Suzhou on a good day. On hazy or overcast days visibility collapses and the experience is far weaker, so check the air quality before you commit and time your visit for late afternoon, when the Bund glows gold across the river.
Do I need to book Shanghai Tower tickets in advance?: Booking ahead is recommended. The on-site queue can be long, especially on weekends and clear-weather days. Reserving through Trip.com for roughly 180 RMB lets you bypass the ticket line and pick a time slot. Bring your passport, since it is the ID foreign visitors use for entry. Walk-up tickets exist but you risk both a wait and a sold-out time window during peak hours.
How do I get to Shanghai Tower and how long should I spend?: The tower sits in Lujiazui, Pudong, with direct metro access via Line 2 (Lujiazui station), a short walk from the base at 501 Yincheng Middle Road. Plan about 1.5 to 2 hours: the elevator ride to floor 119 is quick, but allow time for the deck, the engineering museum, and the inevitable photo stops. Late afternoon into sunset is the best window.