Lujiazui: Shanghai's Futuristic Financial District (2026 Guide)

Lujiazui: The Face of Modern China

Lujiazui (陆家嘴) is Pudong’s financial heart and the skyline you see in every Shanghai postcard. Home to the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center, this cluster of supertall buildings represents China’s economic ambitions made physical.

📅 Last Updated: January 2026 (verified on location)

Quick Facts	Details
Location	East bank of Huangpu River
Key Towers	Oriental Pearl, Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao, SWFC
Character	China’s financial center
Night View	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Landmark Towers

1. Oriental Pearl Tower (东方明珠)

Spec	Details
Height	468m
Character	Shanghai’s original icon, pink spheres
Observatory	259m / 350m levels
Ticket	¥220 (includes city history museum)
Hours	8:00 AM - 9:30 PM

2. Shanghai Tower (上海中心大厦)

Spec	Details
Height	632m (China’s tallest)
Design	Twisting spiral form
Observatory	118th floor (546m)
Ticket	¥180
Hours	8:30 AM - 9:30 PM

💡 Our Pick: If you only visit one observation deck, Shanghai Tower offers the best value—highest views, newest building.

3. Jin Mao Tower (金茂大厦)

Spec	Details
Height	420.5m
Design	Chinese pagoda-inspired
Observatory	88th floor
Ticket	¥120
Hours	8:30 AM - 9:00 PM

4. Shanghai World Financial Center (环球金融中心)

Spec	Details
Height	492m
Nickname	”The Bottle Opener”
Observatory	100th floor (474m)
Ticket	¥180
Hours	8:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Getting There

By Metro

Station	Line	Exit	Destination
Lujiazui	Line 2	Exit 1/6	Financial district center
Dongchang Road	Line 2	Exit 3	Near IFC Mall

From The Bund

Method	Time	Cost	Experience
Bund Sightseeing Tunnel	5 min	¥55	Retro light show
Metro Line 2	10 min	¥4	Most efficient
Ferry	15 min	¥2	River views
Taxi	15 min	¥25-35	Convenience

💡 Pro Tip: The ¥2 ferry offers authentic Shanghai vibes and great views—far better value than the tourist tunnel.

Comparing the Observation Decks

Tower	Height	Price	Wait Time	Best For
Shanghai Tower	546m	¥180	30-60 min	Highest views
SWFC	474m	¥180	20-40 min	Glass sky bridge
Oriental Pearl	350m	¥220	60-90 min	Families, museum
Jin Mao	340m	¥120	20 min	Budget option

Which Should You Choose?

Goal	Recommendation
Highest possible	Shanghai Tower
Best value	Jin Mao Tower
Sunset views	Shanghai Tower (west-facing)
Night photography	SWFC (glass floor)
With kids	Oriental Pearl (museum included)

IFC Mall Shopping

The IFC Mall connects to Lujiazui’s towers underground:

Layout

Floor	Contents
B2	Supermarket (Ole), food court
B1	Fast food, cafes
L1-L2	Luxury brands
L3	Restaurants

Recommended Dining

Restaurant	Type	Price Range
Din Tai Fung	Xiaolongbao	¥100-150/person
Waiba	Shanghainese	¥150-200/person
Starbucks Reserve	Premium coffee	¥50-80

Night Photography Spots

Viewing The Bund from Pudong

Most people photograph Lujiazui from The Bund. But flipping the perspective—viewing The Bund from Lujiazui—offers a different kind of magic.

Location	Character	Rating
Binjiang Avenue (滨江大道)	Riverside promenade, direct Bund views	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Super Brand Mall Plaza	Wide square, three towers visible	⭐⭐⭐⭐
IFC Rooftop	Skyline panorama	⭐⭐⭐⭐

Binjiang Avenue Walk

This riverside promenade offers the best ground-level view of The Bund’s illuminated historic buildings.

Section	Character
Oriental Pearl → IFC	Classic Bund view
IFC → Convention Center	Quieter walk

💡 Pro Tip: The Bund’s lights are most dramatic from 7-9 PM.

Suggested Itineraries

Half-Day Route (4 hours)

Time	Activity
3:00 PM	Arrive Lujiazui, IFC Mall coffee
4:00 PM	Shanghai Tower observatory (sunset)
6:00 PM	Binjiang Avenue evening walk
7:00 PM	Dinner at IFC Mall

Bund + Lujiazui Full Day (6 hours)

Time	Activity
2:00 PM	The Bund daytime stroll
3:30 PM	Sightseeing Tunnel to Lujiazui
4:00 PM	Shanghai Tower observatory
6:00 PM	Binjiang Avenue night walk
7:00 PM	IFC dinner
8:30 PM	Ferry back to Bund (river night views)

Practical Tips

Observatory Advice

Tip	Details
Book online	Skip ticket counter lines
Arrive early	1 hour before sunset for best light
Check weather	Clear days only—smog ruins the view
Bring layers	Observation deck AC is strong

Payment

Method	Acceptance
WeChat/Alipay	Everywhere
Visa/Mastercard	Most locations
Cash	Everywhere

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to visit multiple observation decks?

One is enough. They all offer similar views—the main difference is height and price.

What if it’s cloudy?

Skip the observation deck and focus on ground-level activities: IFC Mall, Binjiang Avenue walk. Save the tower for a clear day.

Which side has better night views—Bund or Lujiazui?

The Bund looking at Lujiazui is the classic shot. But Lujiazui looking at The Bund offers a less-seen perspective worth experiencing.

Is Lujiazui good for families?

Yes—Oriental Pearl has a children’s museum, IFC Mall has family restaurants, and the riverside walk is stroller-friendly.

Related Guides

• The Bund Complete Guide - The view from across the river
• Shanghai Tower Guide - Detailed observatory info
• 48-Hour Itinerary - Full trip planning

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This guide was last updated in January 2026. Ticket prices and hours may change.

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