Where to Go to See the Shanghai Skyline?
Welcome to Shanghai! Take in the sight of the fusion of historic charm and futuristic vibe at The Bund. With soaring skyscrapers, visitors from worldwide get an unforgettable visual feast.
In this guide, I’ll lead you to the best spots to see the Shanghai city skyline. You can visit from iconic towers to riverside walkways. Read on!
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Shanghai Skyline Highlights
It's time for a visit to where you can see the most unforgettable views in Shanghai. For you, it's not only about the skyscrapers and these magnificent historic buildings. It's a journey that tells the story of rapid modernization! Check out the highlights of the Shanghai skyline before your trip:
- On one side of the Huangpu River, The Bund showcases elegant colonial-era buildings, whispering tales of the city's past.
- On the other side, Pudong’s futuristic towers, like the Shanghai Tower and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, reach for the high clouds, symbolizing China’s bold vision for the future.
- At night, the transformation is magical: the Shanghai skyline's night view becomes glittering lights, reflections, and energy!
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Top 6 Places for the Best View of the Shanghai Skyline
Top 1 Shanghai Skyline Attraction: The Bund
Without a doubt, The Bund is always the first choice! Walk through the historic buildings and hop on the riverbound walkway. A sight of panoramic Huangpu River view and the skyscrapers on the other side. Take a full sight of Pudong's towering skyline!
Credit: from Yiran Ding, Unsplash | The Bund
What to Expect:
- By day, take a stroll alongside the historic European-style buildings behind you and the modern architectural wonders ahead.
- At night, what a time to enjoy the lively Shanghai skyline with a synchronized light show that illuminates the skyscrapers in vibrant colors.
Pro Tips:
- Visit at dawn or dusk for stunning transitional light (blue hour and golden hour).
- Avoid weekends if possible; weekdays are less crowded.
- Don't forget to take a walk to nearby Nanjing Road, where you can buy souvenirs or local specialties.
4.8/5
6113 reviews
5/5
Very easy to use , go to the counter ticket , show the booking id , than got ticket. Than waiting for the cruise than boarding. See the view shanghai so best
4/5
A night cruise on the Huangpu River offers beautiful scenery.
4/5
Everything went well and the site is worth the adventure
4/5
It's worth experiencing at least once, but on the expensive side.
5/5
Sometimes, the unfulfilled dream of a trip isn't a regret, but a gentle arrangement of fate. We always believe that only by setting foot on that land can we touch the scenery of our dreams. But when we stop and re-examine this longing, we realize that the most beautiful scenery has already blossomed in our hearts. In those days before setting off, we learned to converse with ourselves, reserving a peaceful space for our souls in a noisy world. Perhaps one morning, we will be awakened by birdsong outside our window and suddenly understand that every moment in life can be a journey. We begin to learn to find poetry in the ordinary and beauty in the trivial. This long-awaited trip, though unfulfilled, taught us how to feel the world with our hearts. It taught us that the true destination is not a coordinate on a map, but lies in our love and anticipation for life. Even if our feet haven't moved, our hearts are already on the road—this is the most precious gift that a long-awaited trip bestows upon us.
Top 2 Shanghai Skyline Attraction: Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower
You'll also not miss out on a visit to the Oriental Pearl Tower, one of Shanghai's most recognizable landmarks!
Credit: from LiYang, Unsplash | Oriental Pearl Tower
What to Expect:
- Multiple observation decks, including a clear glass-floored section at 259 meters for an exciting "skywalk" experience.
- Visit the Shanghai History Museum, located on the first floor of the Oriental Pearl Tower, where you can learn about the folk customs and habits of old Shanghai citizens.
- Have dinner at Revolving Restaurant, best for families & couples!
Pro Tips:
- Visit on weekdays to avoid crowds.
- Why don't you take a combo trip to the nearby Shanghai Ocean Aquarium or Jin Mao Tower!
4.7/5
11518 reviews
5/5
So, let's get straight to the point: with QR codes, you can enter the tower and restaurant virtually without waiting in line. Just approach the boy at the red barrier closest to the exit, show him the code, and explain the situation (a translator will be helpful). You can then proceed to the elevators at the top of the tower until the elevator lines start to get in the way. You can access the restaurant from the street or by elevator from the 0th floor (south). Just present the same QR code as for the tower, and you're welcome to a grand buffet feast. A photo of some of the buffet items is attached.
5/5
Great choice! Take the metro, stroll around the ring road, and there's a good shopping center nearby. We had dinner. At three o'clock, we went up to the tower and saw two observation decks. Go down and there are vending machines and a history museum (it's free on this tour). It's worth a visit, even for kids (you'll be walking there for about 40 minutes), and there are arcade machines for kids. We stopped by the Coca-Cola cafe at 5:00 PM, which is just a 5-minute walk. It's large, comfortable, and the buffet is fantastic. It's incredibly tasty and well-prepared. I definitely recommend it, and it's not that expensive. We went with two adults and one child, and it came out to 10,300₽.
5/5
I'm really afraid of heights, but I still decided to go up onto the glass floor and look down🙈😅 The scenery is probably more beautiful when the sun is shining, but seeing Shanghai from a bird's eye view is definitely worth it
5/5
I'm delighted
5/5
A must-see! The views are absolutely wow-worthy. We were there after 4 PM on a cloudy day, but the city panorama was clearly visible. We booked this on a trip with a revolving restaurant. The restaurant is open from 7 PM to 9 PM. Arrive about two hours before dinner to take photos and admire the views. You won't be allowed in before dinner time. A waiter will take you to your table. Everything is beautiful and clean, and there's plenty of food to suit every taste. Plenty of time.
Top 3 Shanghai Skyline Attraction: Shanghai Tower
As China’s tallest building and the second tallest in the world, the Shanghai Tower provides an amazing bird’s-eye view of the entire city. Its observation deck on the 118th floor sits at 632 meters (2,073 feet) above the ground.
Credit: from Yiran Ding, Unsplash | Shanghai Tower
What to Expect:
- The world’s fastest elevators (reaching up to 18 meters per second) take you to the top in under a minute.
- Enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Shanghai’s urban landscape, including the Huangpu River’s winding path through the city.
Pro Tips:
- Take great photographs on clear days.
- Visit in the late afternoon to witness the city transition from day to night; stay for the sunset and take in the glittering skyline.
- Don’t miss the higher 119th floor for more panoramic views.
4.6/5
3664 reviews
5/5
Very high tower, lots of souvenirs, a bit expensive, amazing view.
4/5
The Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China, so it's definitely worth a visit.
5/5
Breathtaking views. Highly recommended.
4/5
It's definitely worth a visit. We bought tickets online through trip.com, which helped us avoid the rather long lines on site. The views are stunning, and we lingered for a long time, taking in the city. On the downside: aside from one restaurant serving a set menu, there's nowhere to sit and have coffee with friends, which would have been nice, plus it was very crowded (but that's not unexpected for Shanghai).
5/5
The place is very cool, it's better to visit in the evening.
Top 4 Shanghai Skyline Attraction: Huangpu River Cruise
A Huangpu River cruise allows you to see both sides of the Shanghai city skyline, the historic Bund, and the futuristic Pudong district, from the water.
Credit: from CGTN | Huangpu River Cruise
What to Expect:
- Feel the architectural details on a day cruise.
- Enjoy the illuminated Shanghai skyline on a night cruise.
Pro Tips:
- Book an evening cruise for the most mesmerizing views.
- Bring a camera with a good low-light setting for capturing night scenes.
4.5/5
395 reviews5/5
I had absolutely no trouble getting my ticket by following the instructions on the app!! Since it was July, it was very hot outside even though it was dark, but it was great that the air conditioning on the first floor worked well. I went up to the third floor to take photos whenever I wanted, and came back down to sit and enjoy the night view when it got too hot. You can see everything outside through the glass windows even from the first floor, so it is great for enjoying the night scenery~~
5/5
A worth cruise ride with excellent skyline glitters if the night lights or sky scrapers around. Very refreshing and impacting experience
5/5
I really enjoyed it! Although you have to stand for 45 minutes. I went during the 6:50 p.m. session—it was perfect. There weren't many people yet, but the lights were already on. I highly recommend it!
4/5
Although the weather was unpredictable due to the passing typhoon, enjoying the night view from the ferry was extremely comfortable. The area around the Bund is very crowded, so being able to comfortably enjoy the scenery from a boat instead of walking is a great advantage. However, you have to stand for about an hour to admire the view. Therefore, if you want to sit at the bow for a more leisurely view, you must pay an additional 100 yuan (approximately 20,000 KRW). You can choose between ice cream or beer, and enjoy simple snacks while the drinks are lukewarm. I recommend this to anyone who does not want to walk along the Bund, squeezing in among crowds to find the perfect moment to take a photo.
5/5
Everything was fine✌🏼
Top 5 Shanghai Skyline Attraction: Jin Mao Tower
As a part of the Pudong skyline trio (alongside Shanghai Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center), Jin Mao Tower offers an observation deck on the 88th floor with breathtaking panoramic views.
Credit: from KKday | Jin Mao Tower
What to Expect:
- The deck provides a slightly lower but equally impressive perspective compared to the Shanghai Tower.
- Admire its traditional Chinese aesthetics through its tiered pagoda-inspired silhouette and the use of the number 8 (considered extremely lucky to Chinese people)!
- Less crowded than some of the other towers.
Pro Tips:
- Consider visiting Jin Mao if you want a great view without the overwhelming crowds.
- The tower is often included in layover tours.
4.8/5
448 reviews5/5
A great observation deck. You can walk along the edge for an additional fee. It costs 228 yuan on site. It's cheaper to buy this activity in advance. We arrived on a weekend around 2 PM and managed to get there at a time without the crowds. I can't say it was particularly impressive, but I think at least one observation deck is worth visiting.
4/5
Less crowded than other viewing points. But the elevator is overcrowded so you need to wait about 10 minutes for your turn
5/5
Cheaper than others, but still looks the same.
5/5
We were there on a rainy day, so we couldn't see very far, but it was very empty and we were able to visit the entire platform in peace.
5/5
Spectacular view, shame the internal lights reflecting on the glass don't allow for clear photos, but still very beautiful
Top 6 Shanghai Skyline Attraction: Lujiazui Ring Road
This massive circular pedestrian overpass in Pudong connects key attractions like the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Tower, and Jin Mao Tower. It offers fantastic ground-level views of the Shanghai skyline.
Credit: from Getty Images | Lujiazui Ring Road
What to Expect:
- Free access and open 24 hours a day.
- Perfect for photographing the skyscrapers from various angles without having to go up them.
- Especially vibrant at night when the buildings are lit up.
Pro Tips:
- Visit after dark for the glittering cityscape.
- Use a wide-angle lens to capture multiple towers in one frame.
4.8/5
565 reviews
5/5
Walking among Shanghai's skyscrapers is a truly breathtaking experience. Feel like you're in a concrete jungle!
5/5
The view is gorgeous, as many advise, it is advisable to choose the time from 18:30 to 20:30 so you can catch all the colorful transformation of the evening and night Shanghai, there are a lot of people, of course, but it is possible to squeeze to the windows, the main crowd is concentrated on the side of the oriental pearl, while on the side of the opener there are plenty of places, after an hour the crowd decreases many times and you can calmly photograph the night city from all sides, you can also go up to the 119th floor for dessert and tea and sit by the window, the elevators are really fast up to 18 m / s up and down to 10 m / s accelerate
5/5
It's beautiful, but only for one time. They left a lock on the observation deck.
4/5
One of the main attractions that is worth visiting if you have free time.
5/5
Definitely worth a visit, a complete delight.
Compare Key Shanghai Skyline Attractions
Spots | Best for | Ticket | What to Expect | Best Time to Visit |
Panoramic views | Free | Historic architecture & river reflections | Sunrise, sunset, or night | |
Family-friendly experience | From $27.98 (adult) | Glass-floored skywalk & history museum | Weekday mornings | |
Highest aerial views | From $12.66 (adult) | Word’s fastest elevators & 360-degree views | Late afternoon to evening | |
Water-based views | From $8.44 (adult) | Views of both sides of the river | Evening for night lights | |
Fewer crowds | From $13.08 (adult) | Traditional Chinese design | Anytime | |
Ground-level views | Free | Connects multiple skyscrapers in Pudong | Night |
Insider Tips for Capturing the Perfect Shanghai Skyline
- Choose the best time: The Shanghai skyline night view is spectacular, but daytime offers clarity for photography. For the best of both, visit during the "blue hour" just after sunset.
- Check the weather: Check the forecast before heading to observation decks; fog and pollution can occasionally obscure views.
Beyond Shanghai Skyline
- Water Towns: For a contrast to the urban jungle, visit Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, known as the "Venice of the East." It offers a glimpse into old China while being just an hour from the modern skyline.
- Cultural Integration: Pair your skyline tour with cultural experiences like enjoying traditional Yue Opera or exploring the art of Gu embroidery to appreciate Shanghai’s full depth.
Shanghai Restaurant Recommendation
TASTE OF CHINA 中国味 Immersive Dining
Located at Shanghai’s historic The Bund · City Hall Plaza, this multi-sensory dining experience blends cutting-edge technology with Chinese culinary tradition. Through dynamic digital art, landscapes like the Yellow River and Li River come alive around—and even on—your plate.
Guided by the panda chef “Cheng BaoBao,” you’ll journey through seven culinary keys exploring China’s rich history and diverse culture. Each dish tells a story, merging flavor, art, and technology.
More than a meal—it’s an immersive encounter. Taste the essence of China, experience its spirit, and leave forever captivated.
TASTE OF CHINA 中国味 - Opening Hours
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Two Daily Seatings:
- Lunch Banquet: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- Dinner Banquet: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
(Costume and styling experience is recommended 2 hours prior to seating)
TASTE OF CHINA 中国味 - Address
No.LG1-03, Zone E, 215 Middle Jiangxi Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
TASTE OF CHINA 中国味 沉浸式餐厅
4.8/5528 Reviews
📍LG1-03, B1, Old Municipal Government, The Bund, No. 270 Henan Middle Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China
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FAQs about Shanghai Skyline
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