Lujiazui Guide

Lujiazui is the financial district on the east bank of the Huangpu River, and it is the part of Shanghai that most people picture. The decision to develop Pudong turned it into a forest of towers within a generation. The result is one of the best-known skylines on earth, and it is easy to walk because the key sights stand within a few minutes of each other.

The towers that matter

Four buildings do most of the work. The Oriental Pearl Tower features the pink-and-silver spheres that appear on every postcard. Jin Mao Tower steps upward in a pagoda-like profile. The Shanghai World Financial Center has a trapezoid opening at the top and is known locally as the bottle opener. The Shanghai Tower twists as it rises and is the tallest of the group. Seeing all four together is the whole point.

Walk the ring

The most useful local detail is the elevated circular walkway at the foot of the Oriental Pearl Tower. It lets you cross the busy roads on foot, with clear views of the towers and the river, and it links the nearby malls. A short walk from there takes you to the riverside promenade, which gives a flat view of the Bund across the water. The same stroll shows you how the two banks face each other.

Where to see it from

The best view of Lujiazui is not from inside it. The The Bund frames the whole skyline across the water, and a huangpu river cruise shows it from the middle of the river. Once you are in the district, the riverside promenade and the central green park give calm spots for photographs. If you want height, pick one observation deck rather than three. Late afternoon works well, because you see the glass in daylight and then watch the towers switch on one by one.

Choosing a viewing deck

You can go up the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Shanghai Tower or the World Financial Center, and each gives a different view. The Pearl is the most notable from outside and has glass floors for thrills. The Shanghai Tower is the highest, and the lift ride is part of the show. The World Financial Center is lower than the Shanghai Tower and has an opening at the top. Pick the one that matches your budget and your head for heights, and book a clear day and a timed slot.

Eating and resting

The district is built for office workers, so lunch options are plentiful but pricey, and the best value is in the basement food courts of the big malls. For a more local bite, take the metro to a neighbourhood outside the towers. If you need a rest, the green space in the centre of Lujiazui is a pleasant place to sit, and it shows the towers in a calmer light. Cafes in the malls are a reliable escape from summer heat or winter damp, and most have free toilets and charging points.

Planning your time in Lujiazui

Allow two to three hours for the walk and one viewing deck, or half a day if you add the ring walkway, a river stroll and a meal. The district is quieter on weekday mornings and much busier at weekends and holidays.

Arriving in Lujiazui

Lujiazui station is on metro line 2, and it puts you at the foot of the Pearl Tower. You can also cross by ferry from the Bund area, which makes an inexpensive and scenic arrival.

Parts to skip

You do not need to go up every tower. One deck is plenty, and the best skyline views are from the other side of the river. If you dislike crowds, skip the busiest evening hours and go in the morning instead.