Shanghai World Financial Center

• Region: Shanghai
• Region type: Municipality
• City: Not yet specified
• Destination type: Not yet specified

The Shanghai World Financial Center is a 492-meter supertall skyscraper in Lujiazui, Pudong, instantly recognizable for the trapezoidal aperture cut into its upper section, which earned it the nickname 'the bottle opener' among locals. Completed in 2008 after a construction history stretching back to 1997, it was designed by the American firm Kohn Pedersen Fox and briefly held the title of tallest building in mainland China until Shanghai Tower surpassed it. The building combines offices, a hotel and one of the city's best-known observation decks, including a glass-floor sky bridge near the top, offering dramatic views over the Huangpu River and the rest of the Pudong skyline.

The tower stands in Lujiazui, Pudong New Area, directly between Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower, forming part of the trio of super-tall buildings at the core of Shanghai's financial district, across the Huangpu River from The Bund.

Shanghai's humid subtropical climate brings mild spring and autumn conditions, hot humid summers with occasional thunderstorms and typhoons, and cool damp winters. Because the observation deck's appeal depends on visibility, hazy or overcast days, more frequent in summer, can limit views, while clear autumn and winter days typically offer the best conditions for photography.

Late afternoon into early evening is a favored time, letting visitors see the daytime skyline before it lights up after dusk. Clear days in autumn and winter tend to give the longest visibility, and visiting on a weekday can mean shorter elevator queues than on weekends and holidays.

Planning for the tower began in 1997 as part of Lujiazui's development, but construction was delayed for several years by the 1997 Asian financial crisis and a redesign of the signature aperture, originally a circle that was changed to a trapezoid partly to avoid resembling Japan's wartime flag. Construction resumed in 2003 and the building topped out in 2007, opening in 2008 as the tallest building in mainland China at the time, a title it held until Shanghai Tower's completion in the mid-2010s.

The Shanghai World Financial Center's distinctive silhouette, especially its trapezoidal opening, made it an instant landmark and a widely recognized symbol of Lujiazui's rise as a global financial center. Its nickname 'the bottle opener' reflects the affectionate, informal way Shanghai residents have embraced the city's ever-changing skyline, and the building remains a fixture of postcards and skyline photographs alongside its taller neighbor Shanghai Tower.

Ride the elevators up to the observation decks, including the signature 100th-floor sky bridge with its glass floor set within the trapezoidal aperture, for panoramic views over the Huangpu River and Pudong skyline. Photograph the building's distinctive shape from street level or from The Bund across the river, and consider dining at one of the upper-floor restaurants for a view with a meal.

The main draw is the 100th-floor observation deck's glass-bottomed sky bridge, framed by the tower's signature trapezoidal cutout, offering views that take in Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, the Oriental Pearl Tower and The Bund across the river. Lower observation levels on the 94th and 97th floors offer additional vantage points.

Lujiazui metro station on Line 2 is a short walk from the building, within the same cluster as Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower. Taxis and ride-hailing services can drop passengers nearby, and the building is easily combined with visits to its neighboring skyscrapers on foot.

The observation decks are typically open daily from morning until evening, with last admission generally somewhat before closing. Hours can vary seasonally and around public holidays, so confirming the current schedule on the official website before visiting, especially for a sunset trip, is recommended.

Admission to the observation decks is ticketed, with pricing generally tiered by how many floors and features, including the glass sky bridge, are included. Rates are adjusted periodically, so checking the official website or ticket counter for current prices is advisable rather than relying on older figures.

Most visitors spend around one to one and a half hours, including elevator queues and time on the observation decks. Advance online ticket booking can help reduce waiting during busy periods.

The tower itself houses a luxury hotel on its upper floors, and Lujiazui more broadly has a concentration of international five-star hotels serving the financial district. More moderate and budget accommodation is easier to find across the river near People's Square or The Bund.

The building includes upscale restaurants on its higher floors, some with panoramic views, while the surrounding Lujiazui district and nearby malls such as the IFC offer a wide range of Chinese and international dining options at various price points.

Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower stand immediately adjacent, with the Oriental Pearl Tower a short walk away, together forming Lujiazui's landmark skyline cluster. The Bund, reachable via ferry, the sightseeing tunnel or metro, offers a contrasting historic-era view from across the river.

Lujiazui station on Metro Line 2 is the closest stop, within easy walking distance of all the major Lujiazui towers. River ferries and the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel connect across the Huangpu to The Bund for those combining both sides of the river in one visit.

Expect security screening before entering the observation decks, as with other major Lujiazui towers. Keep valuables secure in crowded elevators and viewing areas, and purchase tickets only from official counters or the website rather than from unofficial sellers near the entrance.

A valid ID or passport may be requested when purchasing tickets, along with a camera or phone for photos on the glass sky bridge. A light jacket is useful since the observation decks are air-conditioned, and comfortable shoes help for standing in queues.

Booking tickets online in advance can significantly cut queue times, particularly on weekends. Visiting in late afternoon allows you to see both daytime and illuminated evening views in a single trip, and comparing the view here with that from neighboring Shanghai Tower offers an interesting perspective on Lujiazui's skyline from different heights.

For police call 110, for an ambulance call 120, and for fire call 119. China's national tourism assistance hotline, 12301, can help with tourism-related issues.

Current ticket prices, opening hours and observation deck details are published on the official Shanghai World Financial Center website and through the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration's visitor information channels.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.