Shanghai Tower: 118th Floor Observatory & Fastest Elevator

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Duration2h–4h

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China's Tallest Building in 55 Seconds: What the Fastest Elevator Feels Like

You ascend Shanghai's 632-meter tower in the world's fastest elevator, reaching the 118th-floor observation deck in 55 seconds for unobstructed 360° views of the city, river, and skyline. Your two-hour visit includes the lower-level exhibition on Lujiazui history, the optional glass skywalk on the 119th floor, the world's highest post office, and dynamic hologram displays. Entry is by timed slot only—book the hour that works for you and bring your original passport, as it cannot be changed once confirmed.

2h–4h

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Shanghai Tower and Observation Deck

Visit B1-B2 exhibition on Lujiazui history
Experience simulated earthquakes
Take fastest elevator to 546m deck
Enjoy 360° city views
Send card from highest post office
Walk on 119th-floor glass skywalk
Watch light and sound show if open
See clouds with dynamic holograms

The Experience

You're going to want to bring your actual passport—not a photo, not a copy. That's the first thing to know about Shanghai Tower, and it's not a small detail. The tower runs on an ID-scanning system, which means your original passport is literally your ticket. Once you've booked your time slot, you can't change it, so pick the hour you want to be there and stick with it. The whole visit lasts two hours, which sounds like plenty of time until you're standing in the lobby realizing how much there is to do.

The real draw is the ride up. The world's fastest elevator takes you 546 meters in 55 seconds—fast enough that your ears might pop a little. You're heading to the 118th-floor observation deck called Top of Shanghai, and the speed is part of the experience, not just a detail. The elevator itself is a show. Once you're up there, the glass windows go floor-to-ceiling, so there's nothing between you and the view of the Huangpu River, the older skyline, the sprawl of Shanghai in every direction. On a clear day you can see the landmarks that made the city. At night it's neon and lights reflecting off the water. There's a 119th-floor glass skywalk if you want to feel the height in your stomach, and if you're into it, you can send a postcard from the world's highest post office at 569 meters.

Before the elevator ride, you'll walk through the B1 and B2 exhibition spaces, which cover Lujiazui's history and include a simulated earthquake—a bit surreal, but it grounds you in the place before you go up. The tower also has a 24-meter damper (a giant shock absorber) on the 583rd meter that sometimes has a light and sound show, though that's not guaranteed. Near the end of your two hours, there's a section with dynamic holograms that makes it feel like you're stepping into clouds. It's the kind of thing that sounds gimmicky until you're actually there.

Pick your entry time carefully. You have to show up during the slot you booked—early or late arrivals get turned away. Bring your passport. Everything else flows from those two things.

What’s included

118th-floor Top of Shanghai Observatory ticket.
B1-B2 exhibition on Lujiazui history with simulated earthquake experience.
world's fastest elevator ride (55 seconds).
360° observation deck with floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
119th-floor glass skywalk.
world's highest post office at 569 meters.
dynamic hologram displays.
2-hour visit duration.
timed entry slot of your choice.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Caiyi Travel

Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants Shanghai's full skyline in one visit without arranging transport or worrying about queues—the timed slot means you skip the line and control when you go up. Bring your passport and pick your hour carefully, since the time slot locks in and can't be changed.

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