Completed in 1995 to a highly innovative design, Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower has become a landmark of excellence in architecture and is a favourite sight for tourists in Shanghai. At 468 meters, it is the third tallest TV and radio tower in the World.
The tower is composed of the tower base with three batter posts, and three standing pillars, within which are elevators, holding 11 steel-structures creates the poetic conception as described in the old line “large and small pearls dropping onto a jade plate”.
There are three superdome spheres including the Space Cabin that is in the height of 350 meters, the upper superdome sphere is in the height of 267 meters, and the lower superdome sphere is in the height of 98 meters. Facing the European-style architectures on the Bund, the other side of the Huangpu River, the tower is with multi-functions for sightseeing, catering, shopping and amusement. There are watching terraces, rotary restaurant, ballroom, piano bar, and guestroom in the air on the floors 263, 271 and 350 meters above the ground respectively. It is a symbolic building and a tourist attraction in Shanghai. The tower can receive 6,000 visitors everyday. It takes only 40 seconds for visitors to enter into the upper superdome sphere, where is an ideal place to have a bird’s eye view of the busy and bustling Huangpu River and the Bund.
Nightview of Oriental Pearl TV Tower
Highlights of Oriental Pearl TV Tower
【Sphere】
The most distinctive thing of the Oriental Pearl Tower is that it has spheres in three sizes and scattered connected in series. The diameters of the spheres are respectively 50 meters, 45 meters and 14 meters. There are connected by three large columns which are nine meters in diameter. And the whole building is fully supported by three pillars deep underground.
【Layers for Sightseeing】
Oriental Pearl Tower has 15 layers for sightseeing. Visitors can rest at different heights to enjoy views of the city. The Space is located at 350 meters. Revolving restaurant in 267 meters is the highest in Asia. The sightseeing platform at 263 meters is the main observation deck in the tower. The sightseeing platforms in 259 meters and 90 meters high are for outdoor viewing. Oriental Pearl Tower also includes exhibitions, dining, shopping, and other functions. There a so called Space Hotel sited between two larger spheres, which owns only 20 rooms in a hotel.
【Antenna on the top】
The antenna used for transmit radio and television signals has a length 118 m on the top of the tower.
【Transparent Sightseeing Gallery】
Transparent Sightseeing Gallery is located on the second main sphere, with a circumference 150 meters and a width of 2.1 meter. Tourists can overlook the panoramic view of the Huangpu River through the transparent glass at your feet, which make visitors feel like walking in the cloud.
How to Get there
You may take Subway Line 2 and get off at Lujiazui Station; or take Public Buses 81, 82, 85, 314, 583, 774, 795, 798, 799, 870, 961, 971, 985, 992, 993, then get off at Lujiazui Station. Oriental Pearl TV Tower can be reached by a few minutes walk after you get off the bus or subway.