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
5961 reviews
5/5
I really enjoyed the excursion. My husband and grandson and I went. There was a great variety: crayfish, mussels, meat dishes, noodles, vegetables, and fruits. Everything was deliciously prepared, and they offered tea. There was a short concert on the second deck, which I really enjoyed. The views with the night lighting were stunning. I recommend this excursion.
5/5
Amazing, 40 minutes well spent. The ticket was cheaper than the ticket at the box office.
5/5
Shanghai's beautiful embankment. In the evenings, it fills with a huge crowd of people from different countries. It's a truly international place. Everything is so beautiful, and around 8 p.m., the lights turn on. It's noisy and bright. A must-see, and you can't miss it. You can come closer to the time the lights turn on and experience the embankment both in daylight and with the lights turned on.
5/5
1. Excellent views of the 23rd-century city.
2. Huge crowds of tourists on the southern part of the promenade, if you're coming from the Yuyuan Garden metro station.
3. The northern part of the promenade near the Hyatt Hotel is almost completely empty, even on weekends.
It's best to visit between 8:00 PM and 10:30 PM, as the lights turn off at 11:00 PM.
4/5
Can definitely recommend when you want to enjoy the view of the Bund from a more relaxed perspective BUT these tickets include standing places only. On board they will try to invite you to sit in the VIP area which costs extra. But at least you can sit and you have free nonalcoholic beverages included + 1x beer or ice cream.
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
11441 reviews
5/5
It's totally worth it.
5/5
Definitely worth a visit! The beauty is unreal!
5/5
Definitely recommend
5/5
Be sure to visit all three spheres. The top one is about space, then take the stairs to the observation area with a glass floor. The second sphere offers a beautiful view of the city; buy souvenirs there; the price is the lowest in the city. The bottom sphere has an interesting museum about the history of Shanghai; you can spend a lot of time there. There are also souvenir shops at very cheap prices. And make sure to visit in the evening when the lights are on.
5/5
Everything was wonderful and exciting! Despite the place's popularity, it's quite easy to fit the entire program into 2 hours. Booking through trip.com is quick and easy, and you can pay with any card. Overall, it's worth it, even though it's not free! The VR roller coaster is also worth a visit—you'll be amazed.
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
3744 reviews
5/5
I went to the Top of Shanghai Tower when I was at my lowest point. I never regret to purchase as the view really heals me.
5/5
We visited the tallest tower in our lives! Spectacular 360-degree views from the 118th floor! A must-see!
5/5
Excellent views. Unmissable.
5/5
Awesome view of the city. Got there early (830-1030 slot) and beat the crowds. It gets packed around 10am lol so get there on time to get in all the angles and shots.
5/5
This is definitely a place worth visiting! From the 118th floor, you'll have a stunning view of the city, and the 360-degree panorama lets you see it from every angle. It's convenient that there's a restroom upstairs. And you can pick up a souvenir from the souvenir shop. Use the QR code included with your ticket to get a free Shanghai map with the main attractions marked. We'd come here during the day; it was interesting, and there weren't many people there. I think it's much more crowded at sunset and later. But the views here are worth the visit.
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
392 reviews4/5
We absolutely loved seeing the Shanghai skyline at night, the lights are so cool!
5/5
Highly recommended experience!!
5/5
It's convenient, I appreciate the service.
5/5
You absolutely have to do the Huangpu River Night Cruise~ The night view is absolutely stunning/// The ticket exchange went smoothly, and I'm glad I bought them at a discounted price 👍
4/5
The night view was really great. However, it was too crowded and the wait was long. Once on board, it is best to view from the second or third floor, but the competition is fierce. They operate a separate paid VIP zone, which costs the same as the boat ride.
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
372 reviews
4/5
We chose this particular observation deck because we really wanted to see the "pearl" itself, not just look at it from it.
People are admitted to the tower in batches, and the line moves fairly quickly. It's best to come in the evening, when everything is lit up and Shanghai looks especially beautiful.
We arrived close to closing time—there weren't many people. You can send a postcard right on the deck, but unfortunately, there are no commemorative stamps.
The entire tour took about 15-20 minutes. But the glass was very dirty—I didn't expect that from the Chinese. So we had to find other places where we could take decent photos of Shanghai at night.
Overall, my impressions were average. I don't think I would recommend this particular observation deck.
4/5
The views are impressive! I just don't understand why the windows are so dirty. You take a video, and instead of skyscrapers in the foreground, you see greasy windows. You need to clean them more often. Or after each visit. You charge for this.
5/5
I loved the view from the tower. All the nearby towers are visible. The elevator went up to the 88th floor so fast it was so loud it was deafening. There's a photo from the 88th floor looking inside the tower; there's a grand piano on the first floor. It's mesmerizing.
5/5
Definitely do it!!! From here you could see all the surrounding towers clearly and watch the light show perfectly; it was easy to find and not too crowded 👍
5/5
You can see the Oriental Pearl Tower clearly from Jin Mao Tower.
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 reviews5/5
Arrive about an hour before sunset (we arrived at 4:30 PM). This way, you'll catch three stunning views at once: Shanghai by day, an incredible sunset, and the city transforming into a glowing neon sea in just a few minutes. Pure magic!
5/5
Everything is clear and accessible, the staff is top notch, they will help you with everything, high quality!
5/5
A beautiful place, stunning. This fast elevator... it's something else entirely: 40 seconds and it takes you up to a height of over a kilometer. The pass to the 118th floor was cheaper on TripCom than buying it on site (it's better to compare prices at the time of purchase and choose the cheaper option). The only thing I'm not sure about is the 126th floor... I couldn't find any information about it... because the price is twice as high, but this tour only covers the 118th floor, which I highly recommend! Also, because the elevator essentially teleports you 550 meters, there's no awareness of the height, no fear, and so on, as if you're just looking at some kind of model.
5/5
It's just incredible! This height is simply height. The mere thought that it might shake so hard already fills me with horror; my knees and legs were shaking and my heart was skipping a beat. But it's so cool, it's worth it.
5/5
The welcoming and escort service was well organized. I was there on a weekday, after sunset, so there were apparently no crowds. We were able to move around freely, approach the fence, take photos, and explore without distraction. By 20:30, the crowd had thinned out even more.
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 Immersive Chinese Restaurant
4.7/5686 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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