Lujiazui Shanghai: Pudong’s Skyscraper Kingdom

Lujiazui

Lujiazui lies along the eastern banks of the Huangpu River, across from the Bund. This is the main financial district of Shanghai—often referred to as China's Wall Street. The scrum of high-rises is dense, with over 100 buildings, including three of the tallest in the country. More than 500 financial institutions are present, ranging from Chinese mega-banks to international banks like HSBC and Citibank. The region spans about 28 square kilometers and is increasingly the most recognized contemporary landmark for Shanghai. Most people visit for the observation deck, but there are also good shopping malls, riverside walks, and enough neon at night to light up half the city.

Quick Facts about Lujiazui

What Makes Lujiazui Famous? More Than Just Tall Buildings

The Bund

From Mudflats to Manhattan - The Lu Family Legacy

Lujiazui literally means "Lu family's riverbank." A scholar Lu Shen from Ming dynasty retired here in the 1500s, and his family were the farmers here for generations. If you do some research you might even find Lu's calligraphy in the Shanghai Museum. As recently as the 1980s this was still farmland—there were vegetable plots and small houses near the river bend. Then in 1990, the central government announced plans for Pudong. Locals were shocked by the decision. Many thought it ridiculous to try and build a financial center on farmland.

Thirty years made all the difference. The first tower, Jin Mao, was finished in 1999. Now the lujiazui area shanghai has over 100 skyscrapers. In 1990 maybe 100,000 people lived there. Now it’s closer to half a million, with another million commuting there daily. This transformation took place faster than most cities have the ability to transform.

China's Wall Street - Why Global Finance Chose This Spot

Lujiazui isn't just tall buildings for show. Over 500 financial institutions operate in the lujiazui financial city zone—everything from Bank of China headquarters to HSBC regional offices. The Shanghai Stock Exchange sits right here, trading volumes that rival Tokyo some days. People compare it to Manhattan or London's Canary Wharf, though the density is higher. You can walk between three of China's tallest towers in under ten minutes.

The Three Giants of Lujiazui: Which Tower Deserves Your Time?

People often inquire about the three giants of Lujiazui: Shanghai Tower, World Financial Center, and Jin Mao Tower. They are typbically bunched together and viewed from the Bund. But which one to go up? Each has a different feel to it and of course price point. It is entirely up to you. I have been up all of them at different times, and honestly it depends on what you are looking for.

Shanghai Tower (632m) - The Record Breaker

Shanghai Tower opened in 2015 and became the tallest building in China immediately after. The observatory is located on the 118th floor - about 546 meters. Tickets cost about ¥180. It is open most days from 8:30 AM to 9:30 PM, but again - check before a holiday.

Once you go up, the elevator is the exciting part. They claim the fastest elevator in the world - 18 meters per second. You definitely feel this as your ear pops on the way going up. It takes about 55 seconds for the whole elevator ride, but you hardly feel it until you see the numbers flashing. The tower is also twisted, not just for looks; the designer had intended it to reduce wind loads by around 24%. This allows for less sway and therefore less energy to stabilize the building. Smart - and makes for some cool photographs.

If you have the chance, go on a clear day. The smog takes away the view faster than you think. Early in the day, probably around 9 AM, is usually one of the more clear times of visibility than afternoon. It also gets very busy on the weekends. Expect a wait of about 30-40 minutes even if you have already purchased tickets.

Shanghai World Financial Center (492m) - The Skywalk Thrill

The SWFC is the structure that resembles a bottle opener. The observation deck covers the 94th to 100th floors, with the lujiazui skywalk located on the 100th floor as the key highlight. That was the clear glass floor walkway 474 meters up in the air. Tickets run about ¥180 for a full package to the observation areas and the Skywalk. It is closer to ¥120 if you skip the Skywalk and just do the 94th floor.

Walking on that glass is one of the more peculiar experiences I have had. You know you will be fine based on object weight capacity testing—silly naysayers and their concerns—but your brain does not care. When you look straight down through 100 floors of empty air, your stomach definitely flips. There are times whole groups freeze up completely. However, kids can hardly wait to walk out on it. For a busy Sunday in October, it was a 45-minute wait just for the Skywalk. Weekdays around 10 AM was much less waiting.

The building opened in 2008, so it is not as old as Shanghai Tower, and appears well-maintained. The views are about the same, and in some instances a bit lower. If you just want coffee and views, the Park Hyatt hotel occupies floors 79-93.

Jin Mao Tower (420.5m) - The Elegant Elder

Jin Mao finished in 1999, making it the grandparent of the three. The design uses the number 8 repeatedly—eight sections, 88 floors, proportions based on multiples of eight. In Chinese culture, eight sounds like "prosperity" (发 fa), so it's everywhere in the architecture. The observation deck on the 88th floor costs ¥120 and honestly gives you about 85% of the experience for less money and fewer crowds.

The interior atrium is worth seeing even if you don't go up. It's a cylindrical void that drops from the 88th floor down to the lobby—kind of dizzying to look into. The Grand Hyatt hotel fills much of the tower, and their bar on the 87th floor is an alternative if you want views with a drink instead of a ticket line.

Performance-wise, Jin Mao delivers. You're high enough to see everything that matters. It's cheaper than the other two. Less crowded. The only downside is you're looking UP at Shanghai Tower and SWFC instead of down at them. Depends whether you care about that.

Oriental Pearl Tower(468m) - Love It or Hate It

The Oriental Pearl Tower (东方明珠) is that one with the pink spheres on top of each other. Built in 1994, it was the symbol of Shanghai for many years. The locals have mixed feelings about the place now. Some think it's cheesy. Others defend its place as nostalgic. But tourists continue to come because of its recognizability from photos.

You can expect ticket prices ranging from ¥160-220, depending on which level of spheres you can access. The tower is the shortest of the three—approximately 468 meters. If you are really into retro architecture, and particularly if you're gunning for the whole "I've seen everything in Lujiazui" checklist, it's worth going, but otherwise I'd probably skip it. The other towers offer a much better view once you're on top, and feel grander once you step inside.

One advantage of the Oriental Pearl Tower is that they have the Shanghai History Museum at the base of the place, which is included in certain packages. If you're interested in this, it seems like a reasonable package deal.

Quick Comparison Table

What to Do in Lujiazui Beyond Staring Up at Towers

The Riverside Promenade Walk

The Binjiang Dadao runs for about 2.5 kilometers next to the Huangpu River. It's essentially an extra wide pedestrian walkway—the benches are about every 50 meters or so. Most people walk from the Oriental Pearl Tower area north toward the ferry terminals. Takes about 30-40 minutes at a leisurely pace. The benches facing west toward the Bund are the best benches to sit on—get them if they are empty.

The best time is probably about an hour before sunset. The light is nice, not too many people are around, and the "golden hour" lighting comes into play with the water. Morning also works if you wake up at 7 AM anyway because of jet lag. A reasonable number of joggers, and older folks doing tai chi. The path is flat, paved really well, not really that special. Great after clearing your head while sitting inside malls and observation decks.

IFC Mall & Super Brand Mall - Two Very Different Vibes

IFC Mall connects directly to the metro and sits right next to the three towers. It's luxury brands—Hermès, Gucci, that tier. Mostly useful for air conditioning and bathrooms if you're not shopping. There's a Starbucks on the second floor that gets packed by 11 AM. The restaurants lean expensive. I've walked through plenty of times but rarely buy anything.

Super Brand Mall (正大广场 Zhengda Guangchang) is more practical. Ten floors of mid-range stores, a big food court on the basement level, and an IMAX cinema. Din Tai Fung on the 6th floor does solid xiaolongbao—expect to wait 20-30 minutes during lunch. Shanghai Xiao Nan Guo is another option for local dishes, though it's pricier than the food court. Budget maybe ¥80-150 per person depending where you eat. The mall stays open until 10 PM most nights.

When It Rains - Shanghai Ocean Aquarium Backup Plan

The aquarium is located right next to the Oriental Pearl Tower. It is one of the larger aquariums in Asia and has 9 different zones spanning across South America to polar regions. The highlight is the 155-meter long underwater tunnel where guests move on a moving sidewalk while the sharks and rays swim overhead. It takes about three minutes to walk through if you don't stop.

Tickets are around ¥160 for adults and ¥110 for kids who are less than 1.4 meters. The overall time to visit the aquarium could range from 90 minutes to two hours depending on how long you take. It is a good backup plan when the weather cancels your plans at the observation deck. However, is it worth a trip to the aquarium? Probably not unless you are traveling with kids, or you are really into marine life. The underwater tunnel is interesting for about five minutes, and then it is just another fish tank.

Night Scene - Lujiazui Becomes a Different Experience

Lujiazui is a different experience when you get there at night. The towers light up starting around 7 PM, and there is a synchronized light show that lasts until about 10 PM. Each night is not the same. It can be very subtle one night, and then colorful the next night. The best spot to see the towers light up is along the riverside promenade, anywhere between the Oriental Pearl and the ferry terminals.

Even in the summer, you should bring a jacket. The wind coming off the Huangpu River picks up after dark and it is much colder than you expect. I once saw people who were wearing t-shirts standing along the promenade and were shivering after just 20 minutes. The promenade is still lit and feels safe with plenty of other tourists and couples walking around. If you like to take photos, a good time to take reflections off the water is around 8 PM when it is fully dark, but the lights have not dimmed yet. After spending an hour or two watching the light show, you'll probably work up an appetite—here's where to find authentic late-night food in Shanghai.

Instagram Gold: Where to Actually Photograph Lujiazui

The Bund Side

The Secret Exit 8 Viewpoint

Most individuals go to Exit 6 of Lujiazui Station, where there is a well-known escalator bridge that specifically provides direct, frontal views of the three towers. It becomes crowded. Exit 8 is more peaceful and gives you a slightly distinct view—the towers appear closer together, which is better for phone cameras that have limited zoom. The walkway is less crowded, so you are not competing for space.

Morning hours between 9-10 AM are ideal, as the sun is coming from the east so you aren't shooting into a direct glare. Light in the afternoon washes everything out. If you take photos with your phone, you may want to try leaning against a railing if you have shaking hands. You can turn on HDR mode, it helps set a proper exposure for the bright sky and darker building bases.

From The Bund Side - Classic Postcard Shot

This is a unique perspective from the eastern waterfront, where you see all of lujiazui skyline spread across the river. A good position is near the Meteorological Signal Tower, around address number 中山东一路外滩, which you can walk to from East Nanjing Road station heading north. The barrier is made of stone and is right at water level, near where everybody sets up their shots. The timing of the sunset changes by season too. In the summer (June-August) the sunset time is around 6:30-7:00 PM.

In the winter (December-February), it is closer to 5:00-5:30 PM. Again, spring and fall are in the middle. You could always check your weather app for exact times. Weekends are brutal with everyone having selfie sticks in the way, and jeepers standing with the group blocking the viewpoint right at the barrier. The evenings during the week around 4-5 PM are possible, as too is very early around 7:00 AM when you get only a few joggers and street cleaners.

FAQ about Lujiazui

Q: How do you pronounce Lujiazui correctly?

It's "loo-jya-dzway" with the emphasis on the first syllable. The "jia" sounds like "jya" not "jia" like in "jeans." Most English speakers mess up the "zui" part—it's closer to "dzway" than "zoo-ee." Locals won't correct you if you get it wrong, but taxi drivers sometimes look confused when foreigners mangle it. Just show them the Chinese characters (陆家嘴) on your phone if pronunciation fails.

Q: What's the best time to visit Lujiazui?

Weekday mornings between 9-11 AM are quietest. The observation decks open at 8:30 AM but don't get crowded until after 10:30 AM. Sunset is popular but packed—everyone wants the golden hour photos. If you're doing the towers, I'd pick a clear weekday morning. Weather matters more than time of day. Smog kills visibility. Check the AQI before going. Anything above 150 and you're basically staring at grey haze.

Q: How much does it cost to visit Lujiazui observation decks?

Shanghai Tower costs ¥180. The World Financial Center runs ¥120-180 depending on whether you do the Skywalk. Jin Mao is ¥120. Oriental Pearl ranges ¥160-220 based on which levels you access. Budget around ¥150-200 per tower including incidentals. If you're doing multiple towers, that adds up fast. Most people pick one or two maximum. Combo tickets exist but don't save much money.

Q: Can I visit all three towers in one day?

Technically yes, but it's exhausting. Each tower takes 90 minutes minimum including queue time, elevator rides, and actually looking around. Three towers means 4-5 hours just for observation decks, not counting travel between them or breaks. Most people burn out after two. I'd recommend picking one main tower (Shanghai Tower or SWFC) and maybe adding Jin Mao if you've got energy left. Save something for other parts of Shanghai.

Q: Is Lujiazui safe for tourists?

Very safe. It's a financial district with heavy security and constant police presence. Pickpocketing is rare compared to European cities. The biggest risk is getting lost in underground metro connections or overpaying at tourist-trap restaurants near the towers. Watch your belongings in crowded areas like the observation deck queues, but violent crime basically doesn't happen here. I've walked the riverside promenade past 10 PM multiple times without issues.

Q: Where can I eat in Lujiazui on a budget?

Super Brand Mall's basement food court has meals for ¥30-50. There's a Yoshinoya (吉野家) near Exit 2 of the metro—beef bowls around ¥25-35. Avoid restaurants inside IFC Mall unless you're fine with ¥100+ per person. Family Mart and Lawson convenience stores sell ready-made bentos for ¥15-25. If you want sit-down dining without breaking the budget, walk five minutes away from the towers. Prices drop noticeably once you leave the immediate lujiazui area.

Q: Do I need to book tickets in advance?

For weekends and holidays, yes. Tickets can sell out or have 60+ minute queues at the counter. Weekdays are usually fine to buy on arrival, especially if you go before 11 AM. Trip.com and the official tower websites let you book ahead. Some people report slight discounts booking online versus at the door, though it varies. I've done both—advance booking mainly saves time, not money. If your schedule is tight, book ahead.

Q: What's the difference between Lujiazui and The Bund?

The Bund is the western riverbank with historic European-style buildings from the 1920s-30s. Lujiazui is directly across the river on the eastern side—it's all modern skyscrapers built after 1990. The Bund is where you go to see colonial architecture and photograph the Pudong skyline. Lujiazui is where you go up into those towers. They're opposites architecturally but only 500 meters apart. Most people visit both in the same trip since they complement each other.