Shanghai’s sci-fi totem: spheres stacked like punctuation marks, turning the skyline into a sentence you can’t ignore.
TV tower in Shanghai, China.
Visitor Guide
Buy tickets ahead if you can and go early; crowds thicken fast and the tower is more fun when you’re not being cattle-prodded.
From the Bund facing Pudong, blue hour for tower lighting + city glow; or from Lujiazui river edge for close-up sphere drama.
Ticketed observation attraction with published opening hours and multiple ticket packages for different levels.
The real geometry lesson is vertical circulation logistics—elevators and queues are the hidden structure of the experience.
1.5–3 hours
Design & Structure
Iconic form-making coupled with tourist circulation engineering; multiple observation levels require precise crowd and elevator planning.
Steel structure with cladding and glazing; night lighting turns material into spectacle.
Tall slender structure dominated by wind design; spherical elements introduce complex load transfer and detailing challenges.
See Together
Buildings that pair well with Oriental Pearl Tower — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.
Nearby in Shanghai
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Oriental Pearl Tower?+
Oriental Pearl Tower was designed by East China Architectural Design & Research Institute and completed in 1998. It is located in Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Where is Oriental Pearl Tower located?+
Oriental Pearl Tower is located in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Its coordinates are 31.2417°, 121.4947°.
When was Oriental Pearl Tower built?+
Oriental Pearl Tower was completed in 1998. It was designed by East China Architectural Design & Research Institute.
Can I visit Oriental Pearl Tower?+
Oriental Pearl Tower is a real building in Shanghai that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.