Viewing platforms, observatories, sky decks: where would the modern Asian megalopolis be without them, eh? Whatever you want to call them, they’re a must for the urban traveler and a game in which Shanghai has some serious form – three crowd pleasing spots (the Jinmao, the SWFC and the Oriental Pearl) compete hard for the tourist dollar in the Lujiazui area alone. Think that’s market saturation? Don’t count on it.
The slinky Shanghai Tower, second tallest building on earth (damn you, Dubai!) is about to launch her very own contender, ‘Top of Shanghai’, to shake things up a little. It’s all still in super soft opening at the moment so unless you’re a member of Team Bespoke (or a Russian free climber with balls of steel) chances are you’ve not enjoyed this particular view yet.
It’s actually a rather impressive experience, we must say. Tickets, when they go on sale, will come in at 180RMB per person and include an introduction inside a well-executed exhibition on the city’s development and the history of the skyscraper. If you’re into architecture or engineering there is plenty to geek out on here – with detailed explanations of the building’s conception and construction alongside some funky holograms, videos and models all captioned in almost perfect English – hallelujah!
But that’s not really what we’re here for now, is it? It’s all about getting to the ‘Top of Shanghai’. The elevators are incredible – the fastest, we’re told, in the world at 18 meters per second and a silky smooth ride that is over in a flash.
Emerging onto the viewing area itself we suggest you take things slowly, especially if, like Bespoke, you are prone to the odd bout of vertigo. The views are knee-knockingly high and offer the best vista of Pudong we’ve ever come across. In fact, as the Shanghai Tower fills the area’s last undeveloped plot of land, it marks the completion of the plan for the area laid out in the early 1990s and is likely to remain the tallest building in town for the foreseeable future. At least that’s what the story they’re going with for the moment.
Some of the features have yet to be completed, interactive LED screens should be fully fitted by the time of the grand opening, and management tells us they’re working on a terrifying glass-tiled floor which will actually jut out from the building’s exterior, though that is several years away – hard pass on that one from us, guys.
Exit is, as one might suspect, through the gift shop, where the obligatory range of official merchandise (as well as the slightly random – virtual reality headset or Old Shanghai face cream anyone?) awaits. Quick shout out, though, to the designer of the custom-made Shanghai Tower water bottles also available here. Rather beautiful and, at only 8RMB each, one of the best value Shanghai souvenirs we’ve seen in a while!
Currently only a handful of tour companies (including Bespoke) can access Top of Shanghai, and you’ll need to hire a guide to accompany you. Want to be amongst the first up? Drop us an email! A full public opening is expected at the end of June (TBC) with tickets priced at 180RMB per person.