Roavina

Viewpoint · Shanghai

Jin Mao Tower

金茂大厦

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Photograph

A photograph of Jin Mao Tower
Photograph · Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0
Today
Open today, 08:00 – 22:00
Visit duration
20 min
Accessibility
Partly step-free
Price
CN¥120.00 per person
Standing
Must see
Rank
Rank 27 of 10,894

Place details and sources

It opened in 1999. It was built in the neo-futurism style. It is built of glass.

Established
1998 Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Architectural style
neo-futurism Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Material
glass Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Height
420.5 m Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Opened
1999 Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Wikipedia article
Jin Mao Tower Wikipedia · Checked 2026-09-09

About Jin Mao Tower

Jin Mao Tower is a landmark skyscraper in the Lujiazui financial district of Shanghai's Pudong area. The building stands among the tallest structures in the city and has become an identifiable element of the skyline. It houses office space, the Grand Hyatt Shanghai hotel, and observation facilities. The tower represents an era of rapid development in Pudong during the 1990s. Its design incorporates traditional Chinese architectural motifs with modern engineering. Visitors typically associate the building with panoramic city views and its distinctive tiered profile visible from across the Huangpu River.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

What's inside

The tower contains multiple functions across its floors. The Grand Hyatt Shanghai occupies upper floors with an atrium extending through much of the building height. An observation deck provides visitors with elevated views of the surrounding cityscape. The lower levels include commercial and retail spaces. The building's design features a postmodern interpretation of traditional pagoda forms, with setbacks creating a stepped silhouette. Interior public areas include lobbies and circulation spaces serving the various tenants. The hotel atrium is a notable architectural feature that visitors may observe.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

How long to spend

Visitor duration at Jin Mao Tower varies considerably based on individual interests. Those primarily seeking observation deck views might spend approximately one to two hours, including queue time and viewing. Guests with hotel dining reservations or accommodation bookings would spend longer accordingly. Photography enthusiasts often extend their visit to capture different lighting conditions. The surrounding Lujiazui area contains additional attractions that visitors frequently combine with a tower visit. A comprehensive visit incorporating nearby sites such as the Shanghai Tower or Oriental Pearl Tower would extend to a half day. Personal pacing and crowd levels significantly affect timing.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Season and crowds

Daily 08:00–22:00 The official schedule has no weekday exceptions or routine closure day. Shanghai public bodies were actively promoting visits in June 2026. Generally, observation deck visits benefit from clear weather conditions for visibility. Evening hours offer illuminated cityscape views, though this depends on actual operating schedule. Morning visits may experience reduced crowding. Seasonal weather patterns in Shanghai include hot humid summers and cool winters, affecting comfort at height where wind exposure increases. Holiday periods and weekends typically draw larger visitor numbers. Advance verification of access availability is advisable, particularly for any special events or maintenance closures that may affect public entry.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Tickets

Standard adult admission is CNY 120. Daily 08:00–22:00 Payment methods and booking procedures require direct verification. Group rates, child policies, and any free-entry categories need confirmation from operators. Online pre-purchase possibilities and their terms should be checked officially. Budget-conscious visitors may compare observation deck options among Lujiazui's multiple towers to determine preferred value. Currency and refund policies require direct operator confirmation.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Getting there

The address is No. 88 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area. Take Shanghai Metro Line 2 or Line 14 to Lujiazui Station. The Shencheng Sightseeing Double-decker Bus also serves the named Huayuan Shiqiao Road/Dongtai Road (Jin Mao Tower) stop. This is the named approach for an independent visit. Jin Mao Tower occupies a central position in Lujiazui, Pudong. The area connects to Shanghai's metro network, with Lujiazui station serving the vicinity on Line 2. Additional transit options include bus services and taxi access. The tower stands within walking distance of other major Pudong landmarks, facilitating multi-site itineraries. From Puxi, the historic center west of the Huangpu River, visitors cross via tunnel, bridge, or ferry connections. The Bund ferry offers a scenic approach. Traffic conditions vary significantly by time of day. Signage in the Lujiazui area generally includes English. Pedestrian navigation among the closely clustered towers requires attention to specific building identification.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

What to watch out for

Two high-speed elevators provide direct access from below street level to the indoor observation deck on the 88th floor. Official visitor information does not document a continuous step-free route from the street entrance or identify an accessible toilet. The outdoor Jin Mao Skywalk is a separate experience from the indoor observation deck. The access description applies to the documented visitor route. Visitors should exercise standard precautions appropriate to major tourist destinations. Crowded conditions may affect personal space and queue experiences. Weather at observation levels differs from ground conditions; appropriate clothing is advisable. Photography restrictions may apply in certain areas; visitors should observe posted guidance. The tower's multiple functions mean public and private zones require attention to access permissions. Children require supervision near heights and in crowded elevator situations. Air quality in Shanghai occasionally affects visibility from observation levels. Emergency procedures and exit routes merit brief familiarization.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Photography

The tower offers extensive photographic possibilities of the Shanghai urban landscape. Views encompass the Bund's historic architecture across the river, the Oriental Pearl Tower, and the evolving Pudong skyline including the Shanghai Tower. Interior photography of the hotel atrium presents vertical composition challenges. Window reflections and glare affect exterior shots from enclosed observation areas. Evening photography depends on operating hours and interior lighting conditions. The building exterior itself serves as photographic subject from multiple vantage points including the Bund and surrounding streets. Weather and atmospheric clarity significantly affect result quality. Equipment security deserves attention in crowded viewing conditions.

Checked 2026-08-31 · Source

Common questions

How high is the observation deck?

The indoor observation deck is on the 88th floor, 340.1 metres above ground, and covers 1,520 square metres.

How long does the elevator ride take?

Two sightseeing elevators travel at up to 9.1 metres per second and reach the 88th floor from below street level in about 45 seconds.

What can visitors see from the deck?

The panorama includes both banks of the Huangpu River and, in suitable visibility, the Yangtze River estuary.

Which children enter free?

Children under 1 metre tall or aged three and younger enter free when accompanied by a guardian.

Is the Jin Mao Skywalk part of the indoor observation deck?

No. The Skywalk is a separate outdoor experience attached to the tower; the 2026 China Tourism Day ticket promotion explicitly excluded it.

Is advance reservation required?

The Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism classifies the attraction as requiring real-name ticket purchase rather than a separate admission reservation.

Where it is

Nearby

Within 9 min on foot
  • Shanghai Tower 45 min
    3 min walk

    Shanghai Tower

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  • Shanghai World Financial Center 45 min
    3 min walk

    Shanghai World Financial Center

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
  • Shanghai Ocean Aquarium 1 hr 30 min
    9 min walk

    Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

    • Must see
    • Family attraction

Last updated:

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·