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Views & landmarks

Shanghai World Financial Center

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Shanghai World Financial Center

Shanghai World Financial Center

Located in the Pudong New Area, this 494-meter skyscraper is a primary landmark of the city skyline. Travelers visit the building primarily to access the observation deck, which provides a high-altitude view of Shanghai's urban landscape and the surrounding river.

Getting There

The tower is accessible from the city center via the Shanghai Metro. Depending on your starting point in the central districts, the journey typically takes 20 to 40 minutes. The nearest stations are within walking distance of the building.

Duration of Visit

Allow approximately 1.5 to 3 hours for a visit. This includes time for the elevator ascent, exploring the observation deck, and the descent.

When to Visit

Late afternoon is a common time to visit to see the city in both daylight and evening lights. The site gets crowded during national holidays and weekends. Visibility can be affected by smog or fog, which may obscure the view from the top.

Nearby Attractions

Due to its location in the financial district, several other landmarks are within walking distance:

  • Jin Mao Tower: 0.1km
  • Shanghai Tower: 0.2km
  • Shanghai IFC: 0.5km
  • Bank of China Tower, Shanghai: 0.6km

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

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Stays near Shanghai World Financial Center

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

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Shanghai World Financial Center Nearby stays

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Itineraries including this place

Good to visit alongside

Jin Mao Tower

Views & landmarks

Jin Mao Tower

Jin Mao Tower is a skyscraper in Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai, standing 421 meters tall with 88 floors. Completed in 1998, it offers sweeping views over the city center.

0.1 km away

Shanghai Tower

Views & landmarks

Shanghai Tower

A towering skyscraper in Shanghai's Pudong New Area, standing 632 meters tall with 128 floors. From this world-class high-rise, visitors can look down over Shanghai's skyline.

0.2 km away

Shanghai IFC

Views & landmarks

Shanghai IFC

Shanghai IFC is a skyscraper complex in the Lujiazui financial district of Pudong, Shanghai, commonly known as Shanghai IFC. It's a separate building about a block away from the similarly named Shanghai World Financial Center, so take care not to confuse the two.

0.5 km away

Bank of China Tower, Shanghai

Views & landmarks

Bank of China Tower, Shanghai

A skyscraper in Pudong, Shanghai, rising 53 stories and reaching 258 meters including its antenna. It plays a role similar to the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong and forms part of the city's skyline.

0.6 km away

Lujiazui

Shopping & districts

Lujiazui

A financial hub on the Pudong side of the Huangpu River, facing the Bund across the water to form a dazzling skyline. With over 100 major skyscrapers, it offers a striking view of Shanghai's development.

0.6 km away

Bocom Financial Towers

Views & landmarks

Bocom Financial Towers

The Bocom Financial Towers are twin skyscrapers rising side by side in Shanghai's Pudong district, home to the headquarters of the Bank of Communications. At 230 meters tall, they offer a magnificent view of the skyline.

0.6 km away