But while the waterfront view is impressive, there’s another view in town that’s a close rival.
In Pudong, the business and financial district of the city, is the towering Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC).
Completed in 2008 and standing 1,614 feet tall, the SWFC is the world’s fourth tallest building, behind Taiwan’s Taipei 101, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa and Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Clock Royal Tower.
It’s also home to the world’s highest observation deck, located on the 100th floor.
The view from here provides sweeping views of Shanghai’s sprawl and a top-down look at the Jinmao Building and the Oriental Pearl Tower.
And just in case that in itself wasn’t enough to give you vertigo, the observation deck is nearly all glass, meaning a look down at your feet will reveal the city streets 1,555 feet below.
At CNY150 (around $24USD), the ticket might seem a bit pricey. To get the most bang for your Yuan, head up to the observation deck in the afternoon, have a look around and then descend to the 94th floor.
Here you’ll find Sky 94 Restaurant and Lounge where you can grab a table and have some tea, a cocktail or two and dinner while perched in the clouds.
Staying into the evening means watching the sunset (if its not too smoggy) and surveying the city as the night lights pop on.
You’ll see Shanghai in a whole new way.
And back down on ground-level looking up at the SWFC, you’ll marvel at the building illuminated in the darkness.
