상하이 타워

Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in Shanghai and one of the tallest in the world, rising from the Lujiazui financial district in Pudong alongside its two well-known neighbors, Jin Mao Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center. Together, the three form one of the most recognizable skyline clusters in Asia, but Shanghai Tower stands apart for its distinctive twisting form, a design in which the building's glass facade spirals gradually as it rises, both for visual effect and to reduce wind load on such an exceptionally tall structure.

Beyond its silhouette, Shanghai Tower is a mixed-use skyscraper containing office space, a luxury hotel, retail areas, and a series of public "sky gardens" built into the gap between its inner and outer glass walls, doubling as a functional design element and an architectural showpiece. Near the very top of the building sits its most visited feature for tourists, an observation deck that gives 360-degree views over the surrounding cityscape, including the neighboring towers, which appear to stand well below eye level from this height. On a clear day, the views extend outward to reveal the layout of the wider city, from the former Expo site along the river to the historic old town in the distance.

Most visitors who come specifically for the views spend an hour or two at the top of the building, factoring in elevator queues, which are engineered to be extremely fast but can still back up at busy times. Clear weather makes a significant difference to the experience here more than at most attractions, so it's worth checking visibility conditions before planning a visit, and weekday mornings tend to be a quieter window than weekend afternoons.

Because it sits in the heart of Lujiazui, Shanghai Tower is easy to combine with the neighboring Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, and a Huangpu riverside walk, making it a natural centerpiece for a half-day exploring Pudong's modern skyline before crossing back to the historic architecture of The Bund on the opposite bank.