Shanghai Tower Ticket Prices 2026: Observatory Guide

Must-Visit Spots in Shanghai:

Pro Tips for Booking Shanghai Tower Observatory Tickets

Words & Photos ©Hi-Couples

While planning your Shanghai trip,

are you wondering, "Where is the best place to catch the night view?"

If so, I highly recommend the Shanghai Tower Observatory,

where you can soak in Shanghai's signature, glittering skyline.

Today, I'll share how to get in, opening hours,

and inside tips on booking discounted tickets!

When it comes to Shanghai observatories, the main options are the Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower,

and Jin Mao Tower.

If it's your first time in Shanghai,

you'll probably find yourself wondering which one to choose.

Even though I've visited Shanghai several times, I still hesitate every time!

💡 Out of all of them, the reason I chose the Shanghai Tower Observatory

is that it gives you the absolute best view of Shanghai's iconic landmark,

the Oriental Pearl Tower itself!

While the Oriental Pearl Tower has its famous glass-bottom floor,

I thought looking down at the glittering Oriental Pearl from the top of the Shanghai Tower

would be much more breathtaking!

Plus, visiting the currently third-highest observatory in the world

felt like an experience in itself.

Located in Lujiazui, Pudong,

the Shanghai Tower Observatory is open from 8:30 AM

all the way to 10:00 PM, giving you a generous window to visit.

This makes it super convenient to fit into your itinerary,

whether you prefer morning, afternoon, sunset, or night views.

Personally, since Shanghai's nightscape is so stunning,

I highly recommend checking the local sunset time and

entering at a time when you can catch both

the golden sunset and the sparkling city lights!

If you factor in taking photos and just soaking it all in,

it will take at least an hour,

so keep that in mind when planning your day.

❗️ Next up, let's look at some money-saving tips

for booking your Shanghai Tower tickets.

Unfortunately, the Shanghai Tower Observatory is a ticketed attraction,

so you'll need to purchase a ticket to go up.

To save a bit of your travel budget,

it's definitely worth comparing different platforms.

I've compared the prices for on-site purchases

and online booking platforms in the table below.

Currently, the prices for on-site purchase and Trip.com

are nearly identical, so they don't offer much of a deal.

❗️ But if you book in advance on Klook, even just a day before,

you can secure your ticket with nearly a 10% discount per person.

Plus, Klook occasionally automatically applies discount coupons worth ~$1 to ~$3,

giving you even more extra savings.

Just keep in mind that if you book on Klook on the same day,

the price gets pretty close to the on-site ticket price,

so make sure to book at least one day in advance!

Now, let's look at how to get to Shanghai Tower

and how to enter the observatory!

First, if you take a DiDi (taxi) and get off at the main entrance of Shanghai Tower,

you'll see a sign like the one in the photo.

Follow the left sign pointing to the 'Conference Centre'

and make your way inside the tower.

Once inside, walk diagonally to your left,

and you'll find an escalator heading down to the B1 level.

Just follow the sign that says 'Observation Entry'

on your way down.

Follow the Top of Shanghai Observatory arrow,

and head outside. Right on your left,

you'll spot the entrance to the Shanghai Tower Observatory.

They don't check your ticket right at the entrance,

but rather a bit further inside,

so just keep walking on through.

Once you get further in, they'll check your ticket.

If you book in advance through an online booking platform,

you can enter directly using a QR code,

which was super convenient since we didn't have to waste any time waiting in line!

I highly recommend booking your tickets in advance!

Because when you're traveling, every single minute is precious, right?

After going through a quick security check, you'll hop on a super high-speed elevator

and shoot up to the 118th floor in the blink of an eye.

Watch out, because your ears might pop on the way up!

118th Floor

The moment we stepped onto the 118th floor,

our entire group collectively gasped in awe.

Being the third tallest building in the world,

the height itself was mind-blowing—but we were completely

captivated by the sparkling Shanghai night view..!

Specifically, the reason why I chose Shanghai Tower over the others—

the bird's-eye view of the night lights of the Oriental Pearl Tower—

was absolutely spectacular.

Watching the colors of the lights shift minute by minute

felt completely different from looking at them from the ground!

Plus, seeing the gorgeous golden glow of the Bund

stretching out in the distance from high up in the sky was incredibly beautiful.

Since this is a spot where you can take in the entire panoramic night view of Shanghai,

I just stood there completely mesmerized.

Another reason why Shanghai Tower is so special is that

you can see not only the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower,

but also the other two of the city's big three skyscrapers:

the Shanghai World Financial Center and Jin Mao Tower

all from this one spot!

The World Financial Center, which is famously nicknamed the "bottle opener building,"

was incredibly clear to see.

Since Jin Mao Tower is relatively shorter,

you couldn't see the entire building,

but the glittering roof area stood out beautifully!

I couldn't help but wonder where else in the world

I could witness such a spectacular sight,

and I felt so incredibly glad that I chose

to visit Shanghai Tower!

The 119th Floor

With your 118th-floor ticket, you can actually head up just one flight of stairs

to explore the 119th floor.

If the 118th floor feels a bit too crowded, head straight

to the 119th floor!

You can enjoy the exact same breathtaking view as the 118th floor,

but with far fewer crowds, making it much easier to snap your photos.

Surprisingly, many people don't even realize they can walk up to the 119th floor!

If you want to snap that perfect proof-of-visit shot with the stunning Oriental Pearl Tower,

definitely head straight up to the 119th floor.

Whether you pose sitting down or standing up,

you're guaranteed to capture a true lifetime shot here.

Souvenir Shop

To wrap up your visit, browsing the souvenir shop at Shanghai Tower

is the perfect way to round out a truly fulfilling experience.

There were actually so many cool items worth checking out

that I ended up spending quite a bit of time

just browsing around.

From magnets, t-shirts, bags, mugs, and keyrings,

it's a great place to shop not just for Shanghai Tower merchandise,

but for general Shanghai souvenirs as well.

Just keep in mind that since it's an observatory gift shop,

the prices aren't exactly budget-friendly!

If you're trying to decide which observatory to visit during your trip to Shanghai,

I would recommend Shanghai Tower

without a single hesitation.

It remains one of my most unforgettable spots because you can gaze at Shanghai's iconic skyscrapers like the Oriental Pearl Tower,

Shanghai World Financial Center, and Jin Mao Tower, alongside

the stunning night view of the Bund all at once.

What's more, if you book through Klook using the price comparison table I shared above,

you can save up to 10% on your tickets,

so I highly recommend booking in advance!

Plus, you can enter directly with a QR code,

saving you precious time by skipping the ticket-buying queues,

making it super convenient!

With that, I wish you an absolutely wonderful and happy trip to Shanghai!

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