Shanghai Skyline Experience: Shanghai Tower & Best Views
Shanghai is famous for a skyline where historic European-style buildings meet some of China’s tallest skyscrapers. The best Shanghai skyline experience is not limited to one observation deck. You can admire the city from the Bund, look down from Shanghai Tower, walk along the Lujiazui waterfront, or see the illuminated skyline from a Huangpu River cruise.
This guide covers the best places to see the Shanghai skyline, the best times for views and photography, and how to combine several viewpoints into a half-day experience.
Quick Links:
- Best Places to See the Shanghai Skyline
- The Bund Skyline View
- Shanghai Tower Observation Deck
- Lujiazui Riverside
- Huangpu River Cruise
- Other Viewpoints
- Best Time for Skyline Views
- How to Plan
- Practical Tips
What Makes the Shanghai Skyline Experience Special?
Shanghai’s skyline is distinctive because two very different sides of the city face each other across the Huangpu River.
- On the west bank, the Bund is lined with historic buildings that reflect Shanghai’s early-20th-century architectural heritage.
- Across the river, Pudong presents a modern skyline dominated by Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Jin Mao Tower, and Oriental Pearl Tower.
This contrast between old Shanghai and modern Shanghai is what makes the city’s skyline particularly memorable.
From different viewpoints, you can experience the skyline in completely different ways:
- The Bund: the classic view across the Huangpu River
- Shanghai Tower: a high-altitude view from above
- Lujiazui Riverside: a close-up view of the skyscrapers
- Huangpu River Cruise: the skyline from the water
- North Bund and Waibaidu Bridge: excellent perspectives for photography
Best Places to Experience the Shanghai Skyline
There is no single best place for every traveler. Each viewpoint shows the skyline from a different perspective.
| Skyline Experience | Time Needed | Cost | Best Time | Best For | Main Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bund | 1–1.5 h | Free | Sunset/Blue Hour | First-time visitors | Classic Pudong view |
| Shanghai Tower | 1.5–2 h | Paid | Clear afternoon/sunset | High views | See Shanghai from above |
| Lujiazui Riverside | 45–90 min | Free | Late afternoon/night | Photography | Close-up skyscraper views |
| Huangpu River Cruise | 1–1.5 h | Paid | After sunset | Night views | Moving river perspective |
| North Bund | 1–2 h | Free | Sunset/night | Photographers | Wide skyline composition |
| Waibaidu Bridge | 30–45 min | Free | Blue hour/night | Photography | Bridge + skyline |
For a first visit, combining The Bund + Shanghai Tower gives you two complementary perspectives: one from across the river and one from above the city.
1. The Bund Experience – The Classic Shanghai Skyline View
The Bund is one of the easiest places to start a Shanghai skyline experience. The waterfront promenade faces Pudong directly, creating the classic postcard view of Shanghai.
Unlike an observation deck, the Bund lets you experience the skyline together with the Huangpu River and the historic architecture behind you.
What Can You See from the Bund?
Looking across the Huangpu River, you can see several of Shanghai’s most recognizable landmarks, including:
- Shanghai Tower
- Oriental Pearl Tower
- Jin Mao Tower
- Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC)
- Lujiazui skyline
- Huangpu River
The view changes throughout the day. In daylight, individual buildings and architectural details are easier to see. Around sunset, the skyline takes on warmer colors, while after dark, the illuminated towers create a completely different atmosphere.
Best Time to Visit the Bund
The Bund can be visited throughout the day, but different times offer different experiences.
- Daytime: Best for seeing architectural details, the river and individual skyscrapers clearly.
- Sunset: A good time for photography as the sky changes color and the city begins to light up.
- Blue hour: The short period after sunset can be particularly attractive because there is still some natural light while the city lights are already visible.
- Night: Best for seeing the illuminated Shanghai skyline and experiencing the waterfront atmosphere.
💡 If photography is your priority, consider arriving before sunset rather than arriving after dark. This gives you time to find a good position and capture several stages of the skyline.
Best Photo Spots Along the Bund
You do not need to stand in one place to photograph the skyline. Consider walking along the waterfront and trying several perspectives.
- Central Bund Promenade: The most straightforward viewpoint for a wide panorama of Pudong.
- Customs House Area: Provides a different foreground and allows you to combine the historic Bund architecture with the modern skyline.
- Waibaidu Bridge: The bridge can create a natural frame for the skyline and Huangpu River.
- Northern Bund: Offers broader waterfront views and different angles toward Lujiazui.
2. Shanghai Tower – See the Skyline from Above
Shanghai Tower gives you a completely different Shanghai skyline experience.
Instead of looking toward the skyscrapers from street level, you can look down across Lujiazui and the Huangpu River from one of the city’s highest observation points.
Shanghai Tower rises 632 meters in Lujiazui, Pudong. Its Top of Shanghai Observatory is located on the 118th floor, at an altitude of 546 meters, and provides a 360-degree panoramic view.
Shanghai Tower tickets: Adult admission is generally around CNY 180–190 for the 118F observatory, but prices and promotional products can change. Check the official ticketing channels for your travel date before booking.
Shanghai Tower Observation Deck
The Top of Shanghai Observatory is one of the highlights of the Shanghai Tower experience. The observation route currently includes the exhibition area, the observation facilities around the 118th floor, and additional experiences in the upper levels.
From the observation deck, you can see:
- Huangpu River
- The Bund
- Lujiazui
- Oriental Pearl Tower
- Jin Mao Tower
- Shanghai World Financial Center
- The wider Shanghai cityscape
💡 Visibility matters more than simply choosing a particular time of day. On hazy or cloudy days, distant views may be less clear, so check the weather before visiting.
What Can You See from Shanghai Tower?
| Direction | What You Can See |
|---|---|
| West | The Bund and Huangpu River |
| East | Pudong and the wider urban landscape |
| North | Lujiazui and central Shanghai |
| South | Shanghai’s dense urban landscape and distant districts |
💡 The exact visibility changes with weather and atmospheric conditions, so treat the directions as a general guide rather than a fixed viewing map.
Allow around 1.5–2 hours for the Shanghai Tower experience, including security checks, the exhibition area, elevator ride, observation deck and photography. If you visit around sunset, allow additional time because this is one of the busiest periods.
3. Lujiazui Riverside – See the Skyline at Street Level
The Lujiazui Riverside offers a completely different perspective from Shanghai Tower. Instead of looking down on the city, you stand among the skyscrapers and look upward. This makes the area particularly useful for Shanghai skyline photography.
From around Lujiazui, you can see major landmarks including:
- Shanghai Tower
- Jin Mao Tower
- Shanghai World Financial Center
- Oriental Pearl Tower
The close distance makes the buildings appear much larger than they do from the Bund.
Why Visit Lujiazui Riverside?
The area works especially well if you want to photograph the architecture itself.
You can experiment with:
- low-angle shots of skyscrapers
- reflections
- architectural details
- wide-angle compositions
- people-and-skyline photographs
- evening city lights
A useful way to experience the area is to combine a visit to Shanghai Tower with a walk along the riverside. The two experiences show the same skyline from completely different scales.
4. Huangpu River Cruise – Experience Shanghai Skyline from the Water
A Huangpu River cruise gives you a river-level perspective that neither the Bund nor Shanghai Tower can provide. Instead of standing opposite the skyline or looking down from above, you move directly through the landscape.
Prices vary by route and season. As a current reference, the classic Huangpu River sightseeing cruise is listed at around CNY 120 for daytime sailings and CNY 150 for night sailings during the peak season. Check the current departure and ticket price before booking.
Day Cruise vs Night Cruise
Day Cruise
A daytime cruise is useful if you want to see the architecture and river clearly. It can also be a good option for travelers who prefer a quieter sightseeing experience.
Night Cruise
A night cruise focuses more on the illuminated skyline. Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower and other buildings become part of a constantly changing city-light panorama.
What Can You See from the River?
Depending on the cruise route, you can see different sections of:
- The Bund
- Lujiazui
- Shanghai Tower
- Oriental Pearl Tower
- Historic waterfront buildings
- Modern skyscrapers along the Huangpu River
The main advantage is movement. Instead of photographing the skyline from one fixed location, you get a series of changing views as the boat travels along the river.
How Long Does a Cruise Take?
Many classic Huangpu River sightseeing cruises depart from Shiliupu Piers near the Bund. Check the departure pier and sailing time when booking, as routes and schedules can change.
For travel planning, allow additional time for getting to the pier, boarding and disembarking rather than counting only the time spent on the boat.
5. Other Shanghai Skyline Viewpoints
Beyond the Bund, Shanghai Tower and river cruises, several other locations can add variety to your skyline experience.
Waibaidu Bridge
Waibaidu Bridge is particularly useful for photography because it provides a foreground element for the skyline.
It works well for:
- Photography
- Architecture
- Bridge-and-skyline compositions
- Evening views
It is also close to the northern end of the Bund, making it easy to include during a waterfront walk.
North Bund
The North Bund provides another perspective toward the Pudong skyline.
It is useful for:
- Wide skyline views
- Sunset photography
- Night photography
- Waterfront walks
Because the viewing angle differs from the central Bund, it can be worth visiting if you want more than the standard skyline photograph.
Rooftop Bars & Restaurants
Rooftop bars and restaurants offer a more relaxed way to experience the Shanghai skyline.
They are particularly suitable for:
- Couples
- Special occasions
- Dinner with a view
- Night skyline photography
If you choose this option, check the venue’s current opening hours, reservation requirements and minimum spending policies before visiting.
Shanghai Skyline Experience: Day, Sunset or Night?
The best time for a Shanghai skyline experience depends on what you want to see.
| Time | Experience | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Bund / Riverside | Fewer crowds and soft light |
| Afternoon | Shanghai Tower | Daytime city views |
| Sunset | Bund / Shanghai Tower | Photography |
| Blue Hour | Bund | Day-to-night transition |
| Night | Cruise / Bund | Illuminated skyline |
Is Sunset the Best Time?
Sunset is especially useful for photographers because it gives you several different scenes within a relatively short period.
You can see: daylight → sunset → blue hour → night
However, sunset is also a popular time to visit. If you want fewer people, an earlier daytime visit or a later evening visit may be more comfortable.
Shanghai Skyline at Night
Shanghai’s skyline is particularly recognizable after dark because many of the major towers and waterfront buildings are illuminated.
For a classic night view, consider: The Bund → Huangpu River Cruise → Lujiazui
This combination provides three different perspectives on the same skyline.
Best Shanghai Skyline Experience for Different Travelers
There is no single itinerary that works for everyone.
| Traveler | Suggested Combination |
|---|---|
| First-time visitors | The Bund + Shanghai Tower |
| Photography lovers | Bund + North Bund + Waibaidu Bridge |
| Couples | Sunset + Huangpu River Cruise |
| Families | Shanghai Tower + Bund |
| Short on time | The Bund |
| Night-view lovers | Bund + River Cruise |
| Architecture lovers | Bund + Lujiazui |
If you are planning a longer Shanghai trip, you can also connect this experience with other attractions through a Shanghai tour.
How to Plan Your Shanghai Skyline Experience
A good skyline itinerary does not require a full day. For most travelers, 3–5 hours is enough to combine two or three viewpoints. If you want to include the Bund, Shanghai Tower and a Huangpu River cruise, plan for approximately half a day or one evening, with some flexibility for transportation and queues.
How Much Time Do You Need?
- 2–3 hours: Choose one major viewpoint, such as the Bund, or combine the Bund with a short waterfront walk.
- 3–5 hours: Combine the Bund, Lujiazui and Shanghai Tower.
- Half day or evening: Add a Huangpu River cruise, especially if you want to see the skyline after dark.
How to Get Around?
Metro
The metro is generally the most practical way to move between major areas. Lujiazui is served by Metro Line 2 and Line 14, making it convenient for reaching Shanghai Tower and the surrounding financial district.
Walking
Walking is ideal for the Bund, where the waterfront promenade connects several viewpoints. It is also useful around Lujiazui once you arrive by metro.
Ferry
A public ferry can provide a different river-level view while crossing the Huangpu River. Shanghai’s official tourism site specifically highlights ferry views as part of the city’s waterfront experience.
Taxi
Taxis or ride-hailing can be convenient when traveling with luggage, children or a group, particularly when moving between areas after dark.
Shanghai’s waterfront skyline is also part of the city’s expanding nighttime tourism program. Seasonal events such as the Shanghai International Light Festival can add temporary lighting installations and night photography opportunities.
Event dates and locations change each year, so check the latest Shanghai government tourism announcements before your visit.
Practical Photography Tips
Use a wide-angle lens
Useful for fitting several skyscrapers into one composition.
Bring a tripod for night photography
A tripod can help when using slower shutter speeds after dark, where permitted.
Avoid shooting through dirty glass
At observation decks, fingerprints, reflections and interior lighting can affect image quality.
Check visibility and weather
Clear atmospheric conditions can matter more than the exact time of day.
Arrive before sunset
You can secure a good viewpoint and photograph the skyline as the light changes.
Try different heights
The Bund, Lujiazui Riverside and Shanghai Tower create completely different compositions of the same buildings.
A Shanghai skyline experience is best understood as a combination of viewpoints rather than a single attraction.
If you have limited time, start with the Bund. If you want a high-altitude perspective, add Shanghai Tower. For night views, consider finishing with the Bund or a Huangpu River cruise.
Most importantly, leave some flexibility in your schedule. Weather, visibility, sunset timing, crowd levels and attraction schedules can all affect the experience.
❓People Also Ask
Should You Visit Shanghai Tower and The Bund on the Same Day?
Yes. These two experiences complement each other because one shows the skyline from across the river, while the other lets you see it from above. A simple combination is: The Bund → Lujiazui → Shanghai Tower
If you continue into the evening, add a Huangpu River cruise for a third perspective.
Is Shanghai Tower worth visiting for skyline views?
Shanghai Tower is particularly useful for travelers who want to see Shanghai from above. The Top of Shanghai Observatory is on the 118th floor, 546 meters above the ground, and provides a 360-degree panoramic view.
How long is a Huangpu River cruise in Shanghai?
Cruise durations vary depending on the operator, route, and type of sightseeing service. Check the current schedule and route when booking because operating times can change.
How much time should I spend experiencing the Shanghai skyline?
Allow about 3–5 hours for a core skyline experience. A longer afternoon and evening allows you to combine The Bund, Lujiazui, Shanghai Tower, and a Huangpu River cruise.
Do You Need a Passport for Shanghai Tower?
International visitors should bring their passport when visiting Shanghai Tower. The observation deck currently uses real-name ticketing, and the official site advises visitors to carry their ID or passport.