Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pudong's staggering skyline
iStockphoto
Begin your tour of 21st-century Shanghai with its iconic leitmotif, the
Oriental Pearl
8am-9.30pm; charge). The 468m (1,535ft) television tower - China's tallest building from
1994 to 2007, when it was usurped by the neighbouring World Financial Centre - has a
series of silver- and cranberry-coloured 'pearls' along its length, three of which are open to
visitors. Buy the RMB 85 ticket and zip up to the observation deck on the second accessible
bauble, at 263m (862ft). The 360-degree view of the city is an excellent way to orient your-
self, provided it's a clear day. A mediocre revolving restaurant serving Chinese cuisine is at
267m (876ft) and above that is the third sphere (aka the 'Space Capsule') at 350m (1,092ft),
but it's almost too high for good views.
Your ticket also allows you entry into the
Shanghai Municipal History Museum
(Shang-
hai Shi Lishi Bowuguan; basement of the Oriental Pearl Tower; daily 9am-9pm; charge). The
