Shanghai Tower:118th Floor Sightseeing Adult Ticket[limited]

Shanghai Tower gets you high above Shanghai in a hurry. Three high-speed elevators carry you to the 118th-floor observation deck in 55 seconds, where the Oriental Pearl Tower and Jin Mao Tower sit below your eye line. On a clear day, you can also pick out Expo Park, City God Temple, and Hongqiao Airport in the distance.

I like the quick lift ride and the useful exhibits, especially the 100-second animation showing Shanghai’s growth since 1840. I also like that the ticket includes more than a window view, with displays about sky gardens, dampers, green systems, and the tower’s construction. The main catch is simple: this ticket only covers the 118th floor, and at $51 it can feel costly if haze blocks the far view.

Key points to know before you go

• The 55-second elevator ride takes you from the lobby to the 118th floor at remarkable speed.
• The 118th floor is the included viewing level, with no option in this ticket to add higher floors.
• The B1 exhibition hall explains Shanghai’s development and the tower’s engineering through films, models, and interactive displays.
• The best views depend on weather, and haze can limit what you see beyond central Shanghai.
• Entry is split into two time periods, 16:30 to 18:30 or 18:30 to 20:30, and you choose one.
• This is a self-guided visit, since the ticket includes admission only and no guide.

Reaching the 118th floor in 55 seconds

The visit begins at the main entrance of Shanghai Tower in East China. You scan your e-ticket there, so keep your passport or ID card ready. The ticket is tied to your selected date, and you must buy it at least one day before use.

The lift is part of the attraction, not just a way to get upstairs. Three high-speed elevators take you to the observation deck in 55 seconds. That brief ride gives you a sense of the tower’s scale before you even reach the windows.

This speed also helps the visit move along efficiently. You are not spending a long stretch in a lift, and the ticket is designed for a focused sightseeing stop rather than a full-day tour. The overall ticket validity is one day, but your admission is tied to one of the two stated entry periods.

Choose either:

• 16:30 to 18:30
• 18:30 to 20:30

You can enter during only one of these periods. Check the available option carefully before paying, especially if you are trying to time the visit with an evening view.

What you see from the 118th-floor observation deck

The main reason to come is the city view. From the 118th floor, Shanghai’s major towers and landmarks take on a different order. The Oriental Pearl Tower and Jin Mao Tower appear beneath you, giving you a clear sense of how the city’s high-rise center has developed around Shanghai Tower.

The view also reaches toward Expo Park, City God Temple, and Hongqiao Airport when conditions allow. Those distant sights help you connect the glass-and-steel center with older parts of the city and its wider reach.

Weather matters here. Haze can make the view less satisfying, even from this height. One available rating of the experience was 3 out of 5 because the air was hazy and the visitor could not see far. That is an important warning at this price: a high floor does not guarantee a wide view.

I would treat the observation deck as a weather-sensitive stop. On a clear day, the height is the whole point. On a hazy day, the nearby towers may still be impressive, but the distant sights can fade into the gray.

The ticket does not give access to higher floors. You receive admission to the 118th floor only, and there is no stated add-on option for going higher. If you are booking because you expect a multi-level tower visit, adjust that expectation before you go.

The B1 exhibits put the skyline in context

The B1 exhibition hall gives the visit more substance than a quick photo stop. It focuses on how Shanghai changed from 1840 onward, using a 100-second animation to show the city’s growth.

That short film is useful because the view above can otherwise feel like a collection of towers. The animation helps explain how Shanghai developed into a major modern city. It gives you a quick timeline without requiring a guide or a long lecture.

The Shanghai Center exhibit looks at the city’s buildings through dynamic and static displays. This is a good section for you if you enjoy architecture, urban planning, or the story behind the skyline. It also gives you something to study if the air is too hazy for a long look outside.

The Skyscraper Dream exhibit follows the development of the world’s tallest buildings through 2020. This places Shanghai Tower within a broader race for height. You can compare the building’s place in modern construction with earlier record-holders, rather than seeing it as an isolated engineering feat.

The Gene Bank section covers Shanghai Tower’s planning, construction, and design ideas. It includes information about sky gardens and dampers, two features that point to the problems of making a very tall building comfortable and stable.

A damper helps manage movement caused by forces such as wind. The exhibit gives you a look at that technical side without requiring you to understand the full engineering behind the tower. The sky gardens show how the building uses open planted areas as part of its design.

The Vertical City display and hands-on features

The Vertical City exhibit uses 3D printing to show the tower’s green and intelligent features. Its model-based approach can make a complex building easier to understand. Instead of only looking at the outside shell, you get a sense of how systems and spaces work inside the tower.

The visit also includes several interactive projects:

• Air Mail
• Wishing Tree
• Step Over the Sky

The supplied information does not explain every activity in detail, so you should think of these as optional interactive stops rather than plan the whole visit around them. They add variety after the technical displays and the main view.

The Shanghai Tower Sky Shop sells souvenirs on the 118th floor and on B2. That gives you two chances to browse for a keepsake without needing a separate shopping stop. The ticket does not include purchases, and there is no guide to explain the displays or lead you through the building.

How much value do you get for $51?

At $51 per adult, this is not a cheap city viewpoint. The price makes the most sense when you plan to use both parts of the visit: the 118th-floor view and the exhibits below.

If you only want a quick look through the windows, the cost may feel high, especially if haze limits the distance. The available rating was 4.1 out of 5 from seven ratings, but the individual 3 out of 5 assessment points to the key value problem: the view can be ordinary when conditions are poor, and the ticket remains limited to the 118th floor.

The exhibits improve the calculation. You get a 100-second city-development animation, displays on Shanghai architecture, a skyscraper timeline, construction information, and a 3D-printed model of the tower’s systems. Those sections turn the visit into an introduction to Shanghai’s urban growth and the building’s design.

I would also factor in the short duration implied by the time periods. You have a selected entry window, not unlimited open-ended access at any time. The ticket is valid for one day on the selected date, so it works best when you already know where Shanghai Tower fits into your schedule.

There is no guide included. That keeps the visit flexible and avoids paying for a guided format you may not want, but you will need to read and interpret the exhibits yourself. The product information describes the group type as private, yet the included service is still entrance admission only. Do not expect a named guide, commentary, or organized sightseeing route.

Timing, age rules, and practical limits

This adult activity is listed for people aged 18 to 60. Age is calculated from the birthday on the date of travel. It is not suitable for children under 18 or people over 60, so check the rules carefully when booking for a mixed-age party.

It is also listed as unsuitable for pregnant women and people with high blood pressure. The high-speed ascent and great height may be relevant concerns, although the supplied information does not give further medical guidance. If either condition applies to you, do not assume the ticket is appropriate.

You must provide your passport number when booking and bring your passport or ID card. The purchase limit allows up to five copies with the same valid ID on the same date of use.

The experience is wheelchair accessible. You scan the e-ticket at the main entrance, and the visit ends back at that meeting point. Alcohol, drugs, fireworks, and making fire are not allowed.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans change: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later when that option is available during booking. Those terms help if your city schedule or weather plan is still moving.

Who will get the most from this visit?

I would choose this for an adult who wants a clear look at Shanghai’s modern center and enjoys a bit of building science along with the view. The B1 exhibits are especially useful if you want context about the skyline rather than only a high photo stop.

It suits a self-guided visit. You can move through the displays at your own pace, spend more time at the windows, or keep the visit short. Since no guide is included, it is less suitable if you want detailed spoken commentary or someone to answer questions on the spot.

The visit also fits a first look at Shanghai’s tall-building district. Seeing the Oriental Pearl Tower and Jin Mao Tower from above helps you understand the city’s vertical scale. The distant view toward City God Temple and Expo Park adds a wider sense of the city, provided the air cooperates.

I would be cautious if your schedule is tight and your only goal is a guaranteed sunset panorama. Your entry window must be selected in advance, and haze can spoil the far view. The supplied information also does not guarantee a particular sunset condition or clear visibility.

Should you book Shanghai Tower’s 118th floor?

Book it if you want a high city view plus thoughtful building exhibits, and you are comfortable paying $51 for an adult admission with no guide. The fast elevator, clear sight lines to Shanghai’s famous towers, and B1 displays give the visit more depth than a simple lookout.

Skip it if you want access to several upper levels, a guided tour, or a low-cost viewpoint. The ticket is limited to the 118th floor, and poor visibility can reduce its value. Before booking, check the weather, confirm that every member of your party is between 18 and 60, and choose the right entry period.

FAQ

Where does the Shanghai Tower visit begin?

You begin at the main entrance of Shanghai Tower by scanning your e-ticket.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day on the selected date of use.

What entry times are available?

You choose one of two entry periods: 16:30 to 18:30 or 18:30 to 20:30.

How quickly does the elevator reach the observation deck?

One of three high-speed elevators reaches the 118th floor in 55 seconds.

Which floor does this ticket include?

This ticket includes admission to the 118th-floor observation deck only. It does not provide access to higher floors.

Is a guide included?

No. The price includes the entrance ticket only, with no guide.

What identification should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card. You must provide your passport number when booking.

Who can take this activity?

The activity is listed for people aged 18 to 60, with age calculated by birthday on the travel date.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.