Go and Check Shanghai Modern Skyline with Bird's Eye View

Shanghai’s construction boom started in the 1920s as a central hub for multinational finance and business companies. However, the real boom started after major economic reforms in the 1980s brought in by the Communist regime, long after taking over the country’s political arena in 1949. Foreign investments came pouring in, along with it came western architectural designs and the city’s landscape got amalgamated with modern and historic architectural structures. The French Concession and the Bund areas demonstrate such a connection between the past and the present Modern Shanghai Skyline.

The Shanghai Skyline seems to rise into the clouds and different angles give different perspectives of the city. Enjoy a gorgeous view of the Shanghai Skyline from the Bund area. Shanghai’s latest addition, the Pudong district is a vast business and financial hub, home to many multinational companies’ headquarters. It offers you the best and the beautiful Shanghai Skyline view along the western side of the River Huangpu. Experience the amazing ambiance of the city by taking a detour of the city’s breathtaking view. Take a glimpse of the city’s glittering skyline by taking a cruise around the river and experience its energy and pulse resonating from within the city. The city of Shanghai holds the distinction of the largest number of skyscrapers and high-rise building in China. It is also the most populous city in China and the second most populous in the world. It is one of the fastest-growing cities worldwide in terms of skyscrapers construction, apart from being a global financial hub. Some of the significant buildings are the Shanghai Tower, which is the second tallest building in the world, Jin Mao, the Pearl Tower to mention a few. There are more than 165 high-rise buildings under construction of which five are at a height of 300 meters and above, as of January 2019.

Explore and discover more about the Shanghai Skyline, its tallest buildings and take a bird’s eye view of the city that never sleeps.

Shanghai Skyline stands out from the rest of the world and offers a visual treat to the visitors. The Bund area is the iconic spot for taking breathtaking pictures of the magnificent high-rise buildings. The details of the four most iconic and most popular buildings are as follows –

The Jinmao Tower is the third tallest structure in Shanghai after the Shanghai Tower and the WorldFinancial Center. It is located in the busy finance and trade zone in Pudong district, Shanghai. It was once the tallest building in China, known as the ‘Golden Prosperity Building’ in Chinese. It can be accessed either from the western area of the Huangpu River by taking the tunnel or via the Pudong International Airport, which is approximately 30 minutes by taxi or car. It can also be accessed by taking the Metro Line 2, after getting off at the Lujiazui Station at Exit No. 6. It offers the ‘Wander in the Cloud’, a glass skywalk service without rails for sightseeing and to get a glimpse of the scenic banks of the Huangpu River. It is a 60-meter-long and 1.2 meters wide platform located on the 88^th floor. Admission to the Jin Mao Tower Observatory deck on this 88^th Floor costs approximately around 120 RMB or $12 USD per person.

The Jin Mao Tower is a staggering 420 meters high skyscraper designed by the famous builder Adrian Smith from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). The three basement floors have a capacity of holding 1000 bicycles and 993 cars. It is inspired by the ancient Pagoda style of architecture where many sections of the building gradually step back towards the core as it mounts towards the sky. The exteriors are made from glass and stainless steel as numerous aluminum alloy pipes are used to complete the complex latticework. The number 8 holds a significant role in the Chinese tradition as the whole building is designed around the number 8. The building is structured so as to withstand maximum earthquake damages of up to 7 on Richter scale and strong cyclonic winds of 125 miles/hour.

The Shanghai Financial Center is a vertical city located in Shanghai’s financial district of Pudong. It is a cultural and commercial symbol of China's assertion as the global financial hub. It spans a massive 62 floors housing multiple office floors, conference halls, urban retailing space, and the world’s highest hotel – The Hotel Hyatt Hotel. The building offers a visitors square and observatory from the 94^th Floor to the 100^th Floor. It is one of the tallest buildings in China which owns the highest swimming pool on the 85^th Floor. The design of the building was managed by Kohn Pederson Fox and took 11 years before opening it in 2008. The delay was due to a controversy in the original design which included a circular opening at the top similar to the Japanese rising sun symbol. Therefore, the present trapezoid shape makes the structure looks like a ‘Bottle Opener’, and hence the nickname. It boasts of being the magnet of the World’s Finance as it offers world-class financial facilities and cultural art exhibitions from across the world. It offers some of the best attractions in the visitor’s arena and the world’s finest observatories. The one on the 94^th Floor gives an extensive view of the city along the Huangpu River, while the one on the 97^th Floor provides the best spot to take pictures on a skylighted ceiling. The one on the 100^th Floor offers a 55 meters long skywalk corridor made of transparent glass where one can feel like walking on air above the Jin Mao Tower building.

You can reach the destination via bus from the Lujiazui Financial City Line 2 after getting off at Dongtailu Shijidaro Station. They charge free of cost and it travels every one hour. You can also try the Metro Line 2 by getting off at Dongchang Road Station as you get out of the station from Exit 4. The Ferry services from the Bund will take you through Dongchang Road Pier, from where it is a walking distance. You can also try the Tunnel Line 3 or Line 6 by getting off at Shiji Dadao Pudong Nanlu Station. It is adjacent to the 88-story Jin Mao Tower.

The Shanghai Tower is one among the signature skyscrapers at the heart of the Lujiazui Finacial hub. It transcends the art of structural construction and symbolizes a new and emergent China in the modern context. The curved façades and spiraling designs embody a new dimension in the city’s skyline creating a unique appearance. Not just being a landmark, the Shanghai Tower is meant to offer a sustainable livelihood in a vertical modern city with a unique mix of restaurants, urban space, shops, and offices. It is one of the most advanced buildings in the world which aims at conserving energy and enhancing efficiency. Wind tunnel tests have confirmed a 24% energy savings in structural wind loading compared to regular buildings. The transparent second skin which wraps the building gives it a modern and stylish look and sets it apart from the rest. The ventilated atriums conserve energy and it employs a tri-cogeneration system apart from a rainwater harvesting system and other renewable energy sources. The inner glass facades use lesser material (14% lesser) than a normal high-rise building. It creates thermal buffer zones with a 38% reduction in water consumption and uses lesser energy by allowing the water pressure to be maintained by the Earth’s gravity.

As it spirals upwards, the structure makes one degree twist every floor to offset high wind-speed at higher altitudes and to withstand cyclones. Other amazing features include the ‘Top of Shanghai Observatory’ which is a renowned world’s highest observation deck. You can enjoy the panoramic view of the city, the Bund and the Huangpu River and the Shanghai Skyline. It offers the world’s fastest elevators at 46mph along with the highest indoor Chinese-style garden called the Half Garden.

You can reach the building via Metro Line 2 as you get off the Lujiazui Station at Exit 6. Try the Bus by taking the City Sightseeing Line 2 while you get off at Jin Mao Tower, which is in close proximity to the building. Also, you can take the Ferry Service from the Dongjin Line and take a short walk after reaching Dongchang Road.

The Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower is an alluring and unique architectural masterpiece. It is the world’s sixth and China’s tallest TV tower, located in Pudong Area, Lujiazui. It is surrounded by the two bridges – the Yangpu and the Nanpu Bridge creating an amazing scene of ‘Twin Dragons playing with Pearls’. It is one of the most attractive tourist spots on the planet as the entire appearance looks like pearls shining on a jade plate. The base has a science fantasy city while the inner area is a recreational palace. The Municipal History Museum is at the tower’s pedestal. It features the historical significance of Shanghai city with displays ranging from relics, documents, pictures, and AV presentations. The pearl at the top features restaurants, shops, and a sightseeing floor. The Space Capsule looks like a space shuttle with information about outer space. The Revolving Restaurant is another feature that will allow guests to get a bird’s eye view of the city as it revolves once in 2 hours. The glass-floored sightseeing corridor is the most attractive part of this building. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the city while enjoying the breathtaking view of the corridor. It appears like a three-dimensional lighting extravaganza if watched from the nearby Bund area.

To reach this iconic building, take the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel on the Huangpu River while you get off at the Pudong side of the river. You can try the Metro Line 2 as you get off at Lujiazui Station after getting out at Exit 1. You can enjoy the City Sightseeing Bus Line 2 as you get off at Dongfang Station.

Enjoy the Shanghai Skyline Night as it is lit by nighttime and the best moment to get a glimpse of the most exhilarating metropolises in the world. Your trip to Shanghai city will not be complete without some night and day tours.

Get the best along the Bund during the evening as it is spectacularly illuminated. The Bund promenade and the colonial-era buildings are epic and enchanting. The high-rise buildings across the Huangpu River glitters as the lights keep changing throughout the night.

You can cruise along the Huangpu River in the evening as the Shanghai Skyline is lit up in magnificent colors. You can also try Acrobatic Shows, which is one of the popular nightlife activities around the city.

Take a stroll along Nanjing Road which is home to some of the busiest street shops as they are lit up at nighttime and flocked by tourists and shoppers alike. The French Concession is a wonderful place to get a glimpse of the colonial past with a lively atmosphere and has many bars and restaurants.

At daytime, you can try the City Sightseeing Bus Tour to get a proper glimpse of the city’s popular places.

The city’s never-ending story and dynamic growth will enthrall you and leave an everlasting memory of this journey. Here are some popular spots to keep your memories alive where you can take pictures and get lost in the magnificent view of the Shanghai Skyline.

The Bund - Take a stroll across the riverside and enjoy the gorgeous sights of the Shanghai Skyline from different perspectives.

The Peninsula Hotel – Try the U-Shaped rooftop Sir Elly’s Terrace bar and enjoy the most scenic and luxurious view of the Shanghai Skyline. Also, try some of the rooftop bars to get a panoramic view of the city’s skyline.

The Cool Docks - It is another popular spot where you’ll get a super angular riverfront view of the entire Shanghai Skyline and take your favorite pictures.

Waibaidu Bridge – This is a wonderful and picturesque bridge surrounded by art deco buildings and is not usually crowded.

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower – It is the trademark of the Shanghai Skyline as the revolving restaurant makes it the perfect spot to take your favorite pictures.

Jin Mao Tower – The 88^th Floor offers the most beautiful view of the Shanghai Skyline. You can also try the inner atrium for a magnificent shot.

Shanghai World Financial Center – The Park Hyatt Hotel at the 98^th Floor gives a stunning view of the Huangpu River and the Shanghai Skyline.

Shanghai Tower – It has the world’s highest observation deck for visitors and will be assured of some breathtaking views of the Shanghai Skyline.

Classic Garden Views – The Yu Garden, without doubt, will inspire you with the amazing architecture as the Pagoda rooftop lights will mesmerize you for a priceless dinner in Shanghai.

Nanjing West Road – The neon-lit streets of Nanjing will amaze you with the vibrant energy and charm and would offer you the best spot for some clicks.

Enjoy your evening at the Revolving Restaurant while you savor the best Asian and Western cuisines amidst the best views of Shanghai Skyline. You can ride the high-speed elevator to the restaurant and enjoy the breathtaking aerial view of the city’s skyscrapers while you dine and relax with your family. Indulge in a luxurious buffet dinner as the restaurant revolves every two hours on a memorable ride while you explore the city limits.

Club Jin Mao is located on the 86^th Floor of the famous Jin Mao Tower at the Grand Hyatt Shanghai. It is one of the best Shanghainese restaurants which offers the best Chinese authentic cuisines. The restaurant is themed and designed around traditional Chinese culture and some contemporary abstract art patterns. It provides six private rooms and has a capacity of accommodating up to forty guests. It is one of the most popular restaurants in Shanghai as each of these private rooms are named after a Chinese figure and a miniature tower design.