Oriental Pearl Tower Shanghai: 468M Views & Buffet

The Glass Corridor at 259 Meters: What Shanghai Looks Like From Inside the Clouds

You get entry to two observation decks, a transparent glass corridor at 259 meters, and access to the Shanghai History Museum at the base. If you book the buffet, you dine in the revolving restaurant at 267 meters while the city rotates around you. Arrive with your QR code, and plan to spend three to four hours if you're including a meal.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Oriental Pearl Tower and Buffet

• Arrive at Oriental Pearl Tower
• Explore exhibition hall at base
• Go up to 360-degree observatory
• Walk on glass corridor
• Dine at revolving restaurant buffet
• Enjoy city views while dining

The experience

The moment you step into the transparent observatory, the city drops away beneath your feet. You're standing inside a glass corridor at 259 meters: high enough that the Huangpu River looks like a thread, the traffic below moves in silent patterns, and the horizon stretches flat and endless in every direction. The Oriental Pearl Tower is 468 meters tall, the second-highest structure in China, and from up here you understand why it's been Shanghai's landmark since 1995. The main sightseeing deck sits at 263 meters, a full gallery that circles the sphere, but it's the glass walkway that stays with you: that moment when there's nothing between you and the air.

The tower moves you through three distinct spaces. Start at the base with the Shanghai History Museum, a quieter stop that most visitors skip but shouldn't. It traces the city from a fishing village to what it is now, and the context matters when you're standing 259 meters above it all. Then up to the observation decks, where you can spend as long as you want. The revolving restaurant at 267 meters is where the buffet happens. It's not a quick meal, it's a full rotation. International dishes, the city turning slowly around you, and the whole thing takes about an hour. If you're booking the buffet option, note that the reservation cancels 30 minutes after your start time if you don't show, so don't book it for a time you can't make.

There's also a VR coaster at 95 meters if you want the adrenaline part, though it's separate from the main ticket. The whole visit (museum, both observation levels, and a meal) takes three to four hours depending on how long you linger at the windows. Kids under 100 centimeters tall get in free, which is a real saving if you're traveling with young children. You'll get a QR code when you book online. That's your entry ticket. Don't lose it, and don't try to use a reference number or barcode at the gate. The staff won't accept it.

The tower opens at 8am and stops admitting people at 9:30pm, so you've got a wide window. Public transport gets you there easily, and the entrance is at the 4.2-meter level of the building. It's not a hidden experience (it's one of the most visited spots in Shanghai), but standing in that glass corridor, watching the city rotate below you, it doesn't feel crowded. It feels like you've stepped outside the city to look at it.

What’s included

• Admission to the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai History Museum at the base, transparent observatory at 259 meters, sightseeing gallery at 263 meters, and access to both observation decks.
• If you book the buffet option, it includes one seating at the revolving restaurant at 267 meters with international buffet service.
• Children under 100 centimeters enter free.
• QR code entry is provided upon booking confirmation.

Options for this experience

4 options

2-Sphere Ticket, without buffet12 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 20:00Entry ticket only: you must present the QR code we send by email, message or WhatsApp. Do not use the bar code or any other code from the platform.

3-Sphere Ticket, without buffet6 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 19:00Entry ticket only, no buffet: you must present the QR code we send by email, message or WhatsApp. Do not use the bar code or any other code from the platform.

2-Sphere Ticket with buffet lunch11:00 and 12:30Buffet at the Revolving Restaurant, with two time slots: 11:00-12:30 and 12:30-14:00. Please show your passport and QR code on site.

2-Sphere Ticket plus buffet dinner17:00 and 19:00Buffet at the Revolving Restaurant, with two time slots: 17:00-19:00 and 19:00-21:00. Please show your passport and the QR code we provide on site.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 20:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Travel China Guide

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the main Shanghai skyline views without arranging separate transport or timing multiple attractions: the tower combines history, observation, and dining in one location, and the QR code entry means you skip the ticket counter line.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 6 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time should I arrive?

The tower opens at 8am. Admission stops at 9:30pm, and the tower closes at 10pm. If you've booked the buffet, arrive 10–15 minutes early.

Is the buffet included in the ticket price?

No. The buffet at the revolving restaurant is a separate paid option. You can book observation decks only, or add the buffet when you purchase.

What happens if I'm late for my buffet reservation?

If you don't arrive within 30 minutes of your reservation time, the booking is cancelled with no refund or rescheduling allowed.

What's the difference between the two observation decks?

The main sightseeing gallery at 263 meters is a full enclosed level. The transparent observatory at 259 meters is a glass corridor offering 360-degree views with nothing between you and the air.

How do I enter the tower?

You'll receive a QR code when you book online. Show it at the entrance (4.2-meter level). Reference numbers and barcodes are not accepted.

How long does a typical visit take?

Two to three hours for observation decks and the museum. Add another hour if you're doing the buffet.

Is there parking or public transport nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the tower. Check local transit maps for metro and bus routes.

Can I visit just one observation deck?

The ticket gives you access to both decks. You can visit one and skip the other, but the price doesn't change.

Is there a VR coaster?

Yes, a high-altitude VR coaster operates at 95 meters. It's a separate paid experience and not included in the standard observation deck ticket.