Shanghai Tower rises 632 metres above Lujiazui, making it China’s tallest building and the defining feature of Shanghai’s modern skyline. Completed in 2015, the 128-storey tower twists as it climbs, a design that helps reduce wind loads as well as giving the building its distinctive silhouette.
The Top of Shanghai Observatory on the 118th floor offers a sweeping view over the Huangpu River, the Bund and Pudong’s dense cluster of skyscrapers. From this height, even neighbouring landmarks such as the Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center look surprisingly small. Together, the three towers trace the rapid transformation of Lujiazui into a global financial district.
For the clearest views, choose a day with good visibility; haze and low cloud can obscure the panorama. Arrive before sunset to see the city in daylight and watch its lights come on, and check current opening hours and ticket availability before setting out. Lujiazui Metro station is within walking distance, making the tower easy to combine with a stroll around Pudong’s waterfront.