The Oriental Pearl Tower – longer name is Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower – was at 468m the one-time tallest structure in China, until 2007 when it was surpassed by new skyscrapers just beside it. Unlike many of the skyreaching towers which can house business offices and/or hotels, the Pearl Tower seems to primarily function as a sightseeing spot and also broadcast tower, with a small hotel sandwiched in between the spheres. The tower has a very distinctive appearance – there are eleven spheres, with the sightseeing floor at a height of 263m – and the tower sits on three huge column legs. The tower was completed more than two decades ago in 1994, and is also starting to show its age: with its relative lack of use of modern styling in the external facade, and also that the interiors look very 1990-ish too.
The main sightseeing floor actually comprises two sections: a typical observation deck that permits 360 degree views of the city, and also a lower floor which has an floor ring with transparent glass. Those who are suffer from acrophobia, e.g. me, will probably not want to go near it!
Next post on the Shanghai Municipal History Museum!
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