The Oriental Pearl Tower, which we call dongfang mingzhu (东方明珠), is the most famous landmark in all of Shanghai, and possibly one of the most famous in the entire country of China! With its unique design and color, you can’t miss it dominating the already-impressive Shanghai skyline.
I remember my first time seeing it as a child. It was impossibly tall, disappearing into the low-hanging clouds over Shanghai, with a mysterious design that looked at once elegant and wildly futuristic. Even though I didn’t go back to Shanghai for over ten years, that memory of seeing the Oriental Pearl Tower stuck firmly in my mind.
There’s plenty to see and do in Shanghai, but setting aside a moment to enjoy the Oriental Pearl Tower is a must. Because the tower is so iconic, you’ll definitely want to see it from a few photogenic angles on your own trip to Shanghai. To be honest, you can see it from almost anywhere in the Hongkou or Lujiazui area (north and south of the river respectively) as long as you’re near the Huangpu River, but these are some of my favorite spots to see the Oriental Pearl Tower!
What Is the Oriental Pearl Tower?
The Oriental Pearl Tower is the most integral part of Shanghai’s skyline. It was planned in the early 1990s, right when Shanghai was becoming China’s most international city. Amazingly, the entire Oriental Pearl Tower was built in just three years, from 1991 to 1994!
The Oriental Pearl Tower was the tallest structure in China when it opened at 486 meters. It was originally used as a radio and TV broadcasting tower to support modern communications in the rapidly expanding Shanghai, though nowadays it’s mostly used as a cultural landmark for tourism.
Why Is It Called the Oriental Pearl Tower?
When the design for the Oriental Pearl Tower was created, it was leagues ahead of its time. People thought it looked like a futuristic spaceship! The design is actually based on classical Chinese poetry, with the theme being “pearls falling on a jade plate.”
That’s why you can see so many “pearls” in the Oriental Pearl Tower’s design, from the huge spheres that form the main observatories to the little spheres on the legs.
🀄 Read more: What to Do in Shanghai: A Trendy & Cosmopolitan Travel Guide
Can You Go Inside the Oriental Pearl Tower?
Yes! It is possible to visit and ascend the Oriental Pearl TV Tower itself. You’ll get access to the inside of the fascinating spheres, and you can even dine at the revolving restaurant. The observation deck has multiple viewing levels, with the famous glass-floor skywalk being one of the most popular parts of the experience. There’s also a very extensive Shanghai History Museum in the tower’s lower levels.
Of course, you can’t see the Oriental Pearl Tower from inside the tower itself, so I’m not including it on this list of the best places to see the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai.
The Best Places to View the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai
1. Hoxa Xinjiang Bistro
This atmospheric restaurant set on one of the upper floors of a Concession-era brick building is everything you could want out of a trendy Shanghainese restaurant. The main draw at Hoxa Xinjiang Bistro is the adorable outdoor terrace that’s set up with a pillowed couch, the Oriental Pearl Tower perfectly framed in the background by the photogenic brick buildings on either side of the street.
The food here is contemporary Xinjiang-style—aka from the far-western side of China—so you won’t be getting any classic Shanghainese food here. Expect heavily seasoned lamb dishes and hand-ripped noodles with spicy, tingly chili oil.
The outdoor terrace is actually kept permanently empty as a photo zone, so you never have to compete with anyone for the seat!
2. The Bund
The Bund is the most iconic place to see the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai. Because Shanghai used to be an international treaty port, much of the architecture here feels like stepping into old-world Europe. Walking along the bank of the grand Huangpu River, you’ll see Shanghai’s famous waterfront and the city’s postcard-like skyline view.
I love walking along the Bund because the waterfront is just so relaxing. The walking promenade is quite expansive and you can walk basically all the way around the river bend, enjoying the views and stopping at coffee stands along the way. This is definitely one of the easiest and most popular ways to view the Oriental Pearl Tower!
3. North Bund Greenland
Right next to the Bund is North Bund Greenland, which is a more spacious and leafy park area that lives up to its name. The gardens and promenades here are lovely, meticulously landscaped and maintained by gardeners every morning!
The most iconic spot in the North Bund area is the interesting metal “egg” set close to the waterfront, which is actually a restaurant. This is one of my favorite spots in Shanghai for a unique photo with the Oriental Pearl Tower rising in the background! It does get busy starting late morning, but people are quite good about queueing and being respectful so everyone can get their picture. You can also see beautiful views of the skyline from the Rainbow Bridge located directly above this area, too.
4. Shanghai Huangpu River Cruise
The Huangpu River winds directly between Hongkou and Lujiazui, the most densely packed “skyscraper neighborhoods” of Shanghai. From a beautiful slow Huangpu River cruise, you can take in the gorgeous sights of the Shanghai skyline and the glittering Oriental Pearl Tower, which is especially spectacular as the sun starts to set and the night rolls in.
A river cruise like this will get you up close and personal with the Oriental Pearl Tower—basically as close as you can get without standing underneath it!
5. The Flair Rooftop at the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong has arguably the best rooftop with stunning views of the Oriental Pearl Tower. Situated on the south side of the Huangpu River, Flair features lovely glass railings and steps that lead downwards towards the spectacular Oriental Pearl Tower in the back.
I would recommend coming to the Flair rooftop for sunset so you can stay through golden hour, watch the colors change through sunset, and then also see the skyline come to glittering life at night. You can check out the menu and make a reservation at Flair here.
6. Intersection of Dongchangzhi Road (东长治路) and Jiulong Road (九龙路)
There isn’t an official name for this place, but this spot became popularized on Xiaohongshu due to its beautiful leading lines and direct framing of not just the Oriental Pearl Tower, but also the other 3 iconic pieces of the Shanghai skyline.
At the intersection of Dongchangzhi Road and Jiulong Road, you’ll find this slightly elevated boardwalk next to a small canal. The boardwalk itself is already very pretty, but the view of the Oriental Pearl Tower at the end of the walkway cements this as one of the best views in Shanghai.
7. Magnolia Viewing Deck: The Stage (白玉兰广场)
The Magnolia Viewing Deck is one of the pricier attractions in the Shanghai area, but observatories always seem to run higher fee-wise. If you’re looking for a really panoramic view of the entire Shanghai cityscape, you’ll want to come to the top floor, also known as the Stage. With its glass walls and dramatic views from all sides, you can see not just the Oriental Pearl Tower from above but every other iconic piece of Shanghai architecture.
The Stage is 230 RMB per person—so definitely not a budget attraction—but has probably the most unbeatable 360-degree views in the city. Entry is separated into time blocks of morning, afternoon, and nighttime. You can pick if you want to see Shanghai bathed in soft morning light, catch the rosy sunset, or soak in the futuristic vibe of the city illuminated at night.
🛍️ Seeing the magnificent Oriental Pearl Tower is only one of the best things to do in Shanghai. Check out my travel guide to everything Shanghai—China’s most cosmopolitan city!
8. The House of Roosevelt
Not to let the Flair take the prize for best rooftop view in Shanghai, the House of Roosevelt is another lovely roof bar with an amazing view of the Oriental Pearl Tower.
Unlike Flair, the House of Roosevelt is situated on the north side of the Huangpu River, so the tower will be slightly further away from you, but the tradeoff is that you get views of the river and a more comprehensive view of the skyline. Grab a drink and come enjoy the sunset!
The gleaming pink Oriental Pearl Tower is the darling of Shanghai. Even though you can see it from almost anywhere in the city, I think there’s something romantic about taking the time to pick out a beautiful spot to enjoy it.
But no matter where in Shanghai you choose to admire the Oriental Pearl Tower, it’s a stunning part of the city that you won’t regret seeing. Enjoy the most famous landmark in Shanghai!
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