Shanghai Oriental Pearl

Complete Guide to the Oriental Pearl｜Climb to the Top of the Magic City and Unlock Cloud-Level Experiences✨

If you haven’t stood on the Oriental Pearl observation deck, you haven’t truly understood Shanghai’s prosperity! This personally tested and organized guide covers everything from tower climbing tips to hidden Easter eggs, helping you efficiently check in at this city landmark😉

🌆 Core Must-Do: Layered Cloud Experience Unlock

0 Meter Level: Travel Through Old Shanghai Time

Start by visiting the Shanghai Urban History Exhibition Hall, where wax figures recreate old alleys, yellowed newspapers, and the clinking tram models instantly transport you back to Shanghai a hundred years ago. The immersive script murder mystery “Dark Battle on Shanghai Bund,” added in 2025, is highly engaging—wearing a cheongsam makes for great photos🎭. The light painting art gallery at the exit is perfect for kids to interact with, and the light and shadow effects create a great atmosphere for photos.

259 Meters + 263 Meters: High-Altitude Thrills and Panoramic Views

Take the colorful elevator straight up to the sky. The 263-meter main observation deck offers the best vantage point to overlook Lujiazui, with the “three-piece set” of the Shanghai World Financial Center and Shanghai Tower right before your eyes. Don’t miss the 259-meter fully transparent skywalk! Below your feet are hundred-meter-high traffic and the Huangpu River. Wearing bright clothes makes for stunning floating-effect photos, but remember not to wear high heels or bring selfie sticks.

351-Meter Space Capsule: Cloud “Star Exploration” Moment

This is the highest point of the Oriental Pearl, with views reaching Chongming Island and the Yangtze River estuary. Don’t miss the viral VR flying experience on Douyin; for just 30 yuan, you can “land” on the Mars base and find hidden buttons to trigger fireworks effects🎆. Secretly, the restroom here is the highest in Shanghai, with scenic views even while washing your hands~

📌 Practical Info: Pitfall Avoidance & Money-Saving Tips

Tickets & Hours

- Prices: Two-sphere combo ticket 199 yuan, three-sphere combo ticket 220 yuan, revolving restaurant package starting at 368 yuan. Buy tickets one day in advance on the official WeChat public account for a 10% discount, and enjoy half-price deals during the September Travel Festival.
- Hours: 09:00-21:30 (last entry at 20:30), extended to 22:00 on weekends. Key tip: enter before 10 AM or after 4 PM on weekdays; weekends may have 2-hour queues, so fast-track tickets are recommended.

Transportation & Parking

- Metro Line 2 Lujiazui Station Exit 1 is the most convenient; for driving, park at Fucheng Road Parking Lot, 15 yuan/hour.
- Queue-free hack: enter through Gate 2 before 9 AM; even solo visitors can use the group entrance, saving about 20 minutes!

Hidden Easter Eggs

- Say “Dongfang Jibai” to the ticket inspector to get a glow wristband; collect stamps from all three observation decks to exchange for a miniature model.
- On your birthday, you can book a proposal light show at the tower top for a fully immersive ceremony!

🍴 Cloud Dining: A High-Altitude Feast for the Taste Buds

- 267-meter revolving restaurant: Asia’s highest revolving restaurant, completes a 360-degree turn in 1.5 hours. Dining during sunset (17:30-19:00) lets you enjoy both day and night views. Try the “Pearl Trio” (soup dumplings + coffee + ice cream). Saying “Far East’s Number One Tower” to the waiter unlocks a special cocktail.
- Budget options: The Starbucks at the tower base offers limited-edition Oriental Pearl mugs; Old Shanghai No. 8 Restaurant’s crab roe soup dumplings are authentically flavorful. After touring, head to Zhengda Plaza for Xiaoyang Shengjian, just a 10-minute walk away.

🌃 Night Views & Surroundings: One-Day Itinerary

- Light Show: Every night from 19:00-22:00, the tower body cycles through over 1,000 colors, with laser projections on weekends. The best viewing spot is at North Bund Riverside.
- Combined Route: Climb the tower in the morning → stroll Lujiazui sky bridge at noon (amazing upward shots of the tower) → visit Pudong Art Museum in the afternoon → take a Huangpu River cruise at dusk to watch the light show. Buying the “two-sphere ticket + cruise” combo is more cost-effective.

⚠️ Must-Know Tips

1. Bring your ID (real-name entry required) and a power bank; there are no outlets on the high observation decks.
2. Large luggage must be stored for 20 yuan per item; after heavy rain, the glass will automatically defog within an hour, so no worries about obstructed views.
3. Beware of “free photo” traps; photo frames at the exit cost extra, but your own photos are perfectly fine.

From a century of history to futuristic technology, the Oriental Pearl holds Shanghai’s past and present. When climbing the tower, take a deep breath or two—that’s the unique, vibrant spirit of the Magic City🧡