Shanghai Tower 118F "Top of Shanghai" — Complete Guide
China's tallest building, the world's third-tallest at 632 m. The 118F observation deck sits at 561 m — the world's second-highest. Take the world's fastest sightseeing lift (67.7 km/h) to the top in 55 seconds. Klook tickets from ¥165.
At a Glance
| Standard 118F ticket | ¥198 / Klook ¥165 |
|---|---|
| 118 + 119F combo | ¥248 / Klook ¥210 |
| 3-venue combo (+ damper + mall) | ¥298 / Klook ¥258 |
| Opening hours | 10:00–22:00 (last entry 21:30) |
| Location | Metro Line 2, "Lujiazui" Exit 6, 8-min walk |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Building height | 632 m (deck at 561 m) |
1. What Shanghai Tower is
Shanghai Tower was completed in 2016, designed by Gensler, and instantly recognisable for its 120-degree spiralling form. Built for ¥15.8 billion, it is China's tallest building and the world's third-tallest, behind only Dubai's Burj Khalifa (828 m) and Malaysia's Merdeka 118 (644 m).
Its 118F "Top of Shanghai" observation deck opened in 2016 at 561 m — the world's second-highest observation deck. Floor 119 has a fully glazed 360° terrace. Floor 126 holds the 1,000-tonne tuned mass damper that keeps the tower steady in high winds — free to view.
2. The 6 things to do up top
- The world's fastest sightseeing elevator — 67.7 km/h, 55 seconds to Floor 118. Your ears will pop; chew or swallow.
- 118F 360° viewing — full glass curtain wall over the whole of Pudong, the Bund and Lujiazui.
- 119F outdoor terrace — windy, but the "real" version of the experience (combo ticket only).
- 126F damper — 1,000 tonnes, the largest viewable tuned mass damper in the world (free).
- Duoyun Books flagship — Floor 52, the world's highest bookstore. Free entry, advance booking required.
- "Top of Shanghai" VR experience — ¥60 on 118F, simulates a 561 m freefall.
3. Ticket comparison
| Combo | Includes | Face value | Klook |
|---|---|---|---|
| 118F | Observation deck | ¥198 | ¥165 |
| 118 + 119F | + Outdoor terrace | ¥248 | ¥210 |
| 3-venue | + Damper + mall | ¥298 | ¥258 |
| Child (1.0–1.4 m) | 118F | ¥99 | ¥85 |
| VR add-on | 5 minutes | ¥60 | ¥50 |
I recommend: the 118F standard ticket (¥165) covers the core experience. The 119F outdoor terrace can be unpleasant in strong wind. The 5-minute VR is overpriced.
4. Best time to visit
The "Golden 90 Minutes"
Arrive 30–90 minutes before sunset and you get the full daylight → sunset → night cycle. It's the most beautiful window — and the most crowded.
Queue times by hour
| Time | Queue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00–12:00 | 0–15 min | ★★★★★ Lightest |
| 14:00–16:30 | 20–40 min | ★★★ OK |
| 16:30–19:30 | 60–120 min | ★ Sunset rush |
| 19:30–22:00 | 20–40 min | ★★★★ Catch the night view, then leave |
Insider move: go up at 16:00, hit 119F first, watch the sunset at 17:30, stay until 19:00 for full dark, then descend.
5. Shanghai Tower vs Oriental Pearl vs SWFC
| Item | Shanghai Tower | Oriental Pearl | SWFC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 632 m | 468 m | 492 m |
| Deck | 561 m | 351 m | 474 m |
| Klook price | ¥165 | ¥220 | ¥130 |
| USP | World's #2 deck | Glass floor + the landmark itself | "Bottle opener" silhouette |
| Pick if | Height + panorama | First time + you want it in your photos | Best value + the sky bridge |
My take: first-time visitors → Oriental Pearl (the landmark itself is worth it); chasing height → Shanghai Tower; on a budget → SWFC.
6. Floor 52: Duoyun Books
The highest bookstore in the world, opened in 2019 — free entry by reservation. Over 60,000 books, including the famous "most beautiful bookshelf in Shanghai" (an 8-metre book wall). It's an Instagram-famous spot, with 30+ minutes of queue for photos. Go on a weekday morning to skip the line.
7. How to get there
- Metro: Line 2, "Lujiazui" Exit 6 — underground passage straight to the B2 ticket office.
- From the Bund: Bund Sightseeing Tunnel (¥50) + 10-min walk through Lujiazui.
- From Hongqiao: Metro Line 2, ~30 min.
- From Pudong Airport: Maglev + Metro Line 2, ~45 min.
8. How to save money
- Pre-book on Klook: ¥33 off 118F;
- 118F is enough: the 119F terrace is optional;
- Children under 1.0 m free;
- 1.0–1.4 m half price;
- 60+ half price;
- Duoyun Books is free: Floor 52 — books and a great view, just book a day ahead.
9. Practical tips
- Bring: ID/passport, camera, a polariser (the glass throws heavy reflections).
- Not allowed: selfie sticks, tripods, pets.
- Glass reflections: dark clothing + shoot up against the glass.
- Ear pressure: chew or swallow on the way up.
- Accessibility: 100% wheelchair-friendly.
- High wind: 119F terrace may close.
- Rain or heavy fog: visibility tanks — reschedule.
10. Why book through us
- ¥33 cheaper than the gate;
- Scan-and-enter;
- Voucher valid 6 months;
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead;
- Customer service in Chinese, English and Japanese.