Oriental Pearl Tower (Dongfang Mingzhu)

Welcome to the Oriental Pearl Tower, or Dong-fang Ming-zhu, the unmistakable icon that has defined the Shanghai skyline since its completion in 1994. Standing at 468 meters, it was once the tallest structure in China and remains…

Our exploration begins at the 'zero meter' level, within the base of the tower. Here lies the Shanghai Municipal History Museum, which offers a fascinating look at the city's evolution from a small fishing village to a colonial…

To reach the observation decks, we board high-speed elevators that are a marvel of engineering in themselves. As you ascend, you can feel the rapid change in pressure and see the ground fall away through the glass panels of some…

Arriving at the 263-meter level, we enter the main Sightseeing Galleria. This level offers a complete 360-degree panoramic view of Shanghai, arguably the best in the city because it places you in the middle of the action rather…

For those with a strong stomach, the 259-meter level offers the 'Transparent Observatory' or Glass Skywalk. This is a circular walkway with a completely transparent floor made of high-strength glass. …

Higher still, at the 267-meter level, is the Revolving Restaurant, where you can enjoy a meal while the entire city landscape slowly rotates past your window. One full revolution takes about two hours, providing a constantly…

As you look across the water from the tower, your gaze is inevitably drawn to the Bund and the 'Monument to the People's Heroes.' This concrete structure, resembling three rifles leaning against each other, is located at the…

As we descend back to the ground level, we leave behind the 'Space Capsule' and the panoramic gallerias, but we carry with us a complete picture of Shanghai’s incredible journey. We have seen the city’s humble beginnings in the…