Oriental Pearl Tower — Tickets & Visitor Guide
Lujiazui's most iconic landmark, completed in 1995, 468 m tall, with three sphere observation decks. The 263 m glass-floor walkway puts the Huangpu River straight under your feet. Klook tickets from ¥160.
At a Glance
| 2-Sphere combo | ¥199 / Klook ¥160 |
|---|---|
| 3-Sphere combo (+ Space Module 351 m) | ¥280 / Klook ¥220 |
| 4-in-1 combo (+ Huangpu River cruise + Shanghai History Museum) | ¥380 / Klook ¥325 |
| Opening hours | 08:30–21:00 (last entry 20:00) |
| Location | Metro Line 2, "Lujiazui" Exit 1 |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Tower height | 468 m (once the tallest in Asia) |
1. Why the Oriental Pearl Tower is a must-visit
The Oriental Pearl opened in 1995, designed by ECADI, and was the first major landmark of Shanghai's reform-and-opening era. Its "11 spheres on a string" silhouette has become Shanghai's visual signature — there is barely a city promo, metro ad or TV-show opening in China that doesn't feature it.
Its real value is that it's both an observation tower and the landmark you observe. Now that Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao and the SWFC have surpassed it in height, the Pearl no longer wins on altitude — but its unmistakable shape still anchors every Shanghai skyline shot. Standing on the Bund and looking across to Pudong, take the Pearl out of the picture and the soul of the view goes with it.
2. The three sphere decks, explained
Lower Sphere (90 m)
The lowest deck — your first stop after entering. Limited views, mostly close-up Lujiazui and the Huangpu River. Skip it if you're short on time.
Upper Sphere Observation Deck (263 m)
The main event, with the famous "Sky Walk" — a transparent glass floor straight down to the Huangpu River 263 m below. This is the Pearl's signature experience and the obligatory "courage test" photo. The glass is unbelievably safe — it still scrambles your brain to walk on it.
Space Module (351 m)
The highest deck, behind a metre of tempered glass. Best views (50 km on a clear day) but a tiny floorplate (capacity ~100). Only included with the 3-Sphere combo.
3. Ticket comparison
| Combo | Includes | Face value | Klook |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Sphere | Lower + Upper (263 m) | ¥199 | ¥160 |
| 3-Sphere | + Space Module (351 m) | ¥280 | ¥220 |
| 4-in-1 | 3 Spheres + Shanghai History Museum + Huangpu River cruise | ¥380 | ¥325 |
| Child 1.0–1.4 m | 2-Sphere | ¥110 | ¥90 |
I recommend: for a first visit, the 2-Sphere (¥160) is enough — the 263 m glass walkway is the core experience, and the extra ¥60 to the Space Module only marginally improves the view. Go 3-Sphere if you have kids or want the full experience.
4. Best time to visit
The "Golden 90 Minutes"
From 30 minutes before sunset to 60 minutes after — you get a clear daylight view of Puxi and the Bund, the gold of sunset on the skyline, the blue hour, and finally the full city lit up. Sunset times for Shanghai in 2026: latest 19:01 in June, earliest 16:55 in December.
Queue times by hour
| Time | Queue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30–10:30 | 0–15 min | ★★★★★ Lightest |
| 10:30–14:00 | 30–60 min | ★★ Lunch peak |
| 14:00–16:30 | 20–40 min | ★★★ OK |
| 16:30–19:30 | 60–120 min | ★ Sunset rush |
| 19:30–21:00 | 20–40 min | ★★★ Catch the night view, then leave |
5. What else is inside
- Shanghai History Development Museum (basement at the tower base) — 180 years of Shanghai's history, with restored old-Shanghai street scenes. Allow 1 hour.
- 360° Revolving Restaurant (267 m) — buffet lunch ¥268, dinner ¥358. One full rotation every 2 hours.
- Sphere Bar (267 m) — cocktails from ¥88; classy atmosphere, premium pricing.
- Souvenir shop (Lower Sphere) — Pearl Tower models from ¥30.
6. Oriental Pearl vs Shanghai Tower 118F
| Item | Oriental Pearl | Shanghai Tower |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 468 m (deck 351 m) | 632 m (deck 561 m) |
| Top-deck price | ¥220 (Klook) | ¥165 (Klook) |
| View | Faces the Bund | Looks down on Lujiazui + the Bund |
| USP | Glass floor + the landmark itself | World's highest observation deck |
| Pick if | First time + want it in your photos | You want height + panorama |
7. How to get there
- Metro: Line 2, "Lujiazui" Exit 1, with an underground passage straight to the tower base.
- Walk over from the Bund: take the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel (¥50, includes a 5D light show) — 3 minutes under the Huangpu.
- Didi / taxi: ¥30 from the Bund, ¥80 from Hongqiao Railway.
8. How to save money
- Pre-book on Klook: ¥39 off the 2-Sphere;
- 4-in-1 combo: includes cruise + museum — ¥450 if bought separately, ¥325 as a combo, saves ¥125;
- Children under 1.0 m free;
- 1.0–1.4 m half price;
- 60+ half price;
- Skip the Sphere Bar: a single drink runs ¥200+ — poor value.
9. Practical tips
- Bring: ID/passport (real-name), camera, polariser to kill glass reflections.
- Not allowed: selfie sticks, tripods, food, pets.
- Glass reflections: wear darker clothing for cleaner photos.
- Accessibility: 100% wheelchair-friendly.
- Rainy weather: clouds may block the view — check the forecast first.
- New Year's Eve: the tower is closed on December 31; no fireworks.
10. Why book through us
- ¥39–55 cheaper than the gate;
- Scan-and-enter;
- Voucher valid 6 months;
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.