Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower

Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower

The Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower is a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction, a cultural tourism site, and a patriotic education base.

The Oriental Pearl Tower is second only to the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada, and the Ostankino Tower in Russia. The design of the Oriental Pearl Tower features the circular curves favored in Eastern aesthetics as its primary architectural lines. The main structure consists of three inclined cylinders, three vertical cylinders, and 11 spheres, forming a massive space frame structure. Inside the cylinders, there are 6 elevators, one of which is a double-decker elevator that can carry 50 people, and another that operates between the upper sphere and the space capsule. Areas open to visitors on the tower include: the lower sphere, the middle sphere and its surrounding corridor, the upper sphere, and the space capsule. The lower sphere, with its roof at 118 meters, houses an observation corridor and the Fantasy Space City; the upper sphere, with its roof at 295 meters, features a rotating tea room, a restaurant, and a viewing platform that can accommodate 1,600 people. Between the upper and lower spheres are five smaller spheres, which serve as five sets of high-altitude luxury hotel rooms; the space capsule is designated for foreign visitors. The lighting, controlled by computer, can automatically adjust according to weather changes, producing over 1,000 different effects. The tower’s lighting display is truly breathtaking. Riding the elevator to the 263-meter-high observation sphere takes just 40 seconds. From here, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Shanghai—the once towering skyscrapers now appear much smaller, while the winding Huangpu River sees giant ships shuttle to the sea. The two bridges on either side resemble two dragons soaring over the Huangpu River, forming a grand scene of “two dragons playing with a pearl” together with the central Oriental Pearl Tower. At night, the huge spheres, adorned with colorful lights, shine brilliantly alongside the starry sky, appearing even more crystal-clear. Together with the illuminated buildings along the Bund in Puxi, they present the enchanting nightlife of a modern metropolis. The tower is integrated with the expanded Pudong Park, covering an area of 155,000 square meters. The park also features 15 spheres of varying sizes that complement the tower’s two massive spheres, hence the name “Oriental Pearl.” Nearby, there are also entertainment and commercial centers, making it a large-scale, multifunctional tourist destination in Pudong. It has become one of the “Top Ten New Scenic Spots of 1990s Shanghai” and one of the “Top Ten Tourist Attractions.”

Suggested Duration

About 2 hours including the exhibition hall

Transportation

Oriental Pearl Tower

Located in Lujiazui, Pudong New Area

Public Transport

1. Take Metro Line 2 to Lujiazui Station

2. Take bus routes 81, 82, 85, 583, 774, 789, 791, 795, 796, 798, 870, 871, 983, 993, 971, 985, Cai-Lu Special Line, Lujiazui Financial City Line 1, Lujiazui Tourism Loop, Sightseeing Tunnel, ferry, etc.

Ticket

Sightseeing + Cruise Combo Ticket:

Upper Sphere + Exhibition Hall + Huangpu River Cruise – 180 RMB

Ticket A: Space Capsule + Upper Sphere + Lower Sphere (includes one activity) + Exhibition Hall – 180 RMB

Ticket B: Upper Sphere + Lower Sphere (includes one activity) + Exhibition Hall – 150 RMB

Ticket C: Upper Sphere + Exhibition Hall – 120 RMB

Rotating Restaurant (includes Ticket B activities): Lunch 268 RMB, Dinner 298 RMB; Premium Cabin on Zhonghua/Mingzhu Cruise – 120 RMB, First Class Cabin – 100 RMB; City History Exhibition Hall – 35 RMB. (Active-duty military personnel with valid ID can visit the Upper Sphere + Exhibition Hall for free; seniors aged 70+ with valid ID receive a 40% discount; children under 1.4m get half-price tickets, and those under 1m enter free.)

Opening Hours

8:30-21:30

Location

No. 1, Pudong Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai (near Lujiazui Station, Metro Line 2)