For a brief moment in time the Shanghai World Financial Center was the world’s 2nd tallest in the world. For a brief moment in time, it also had the world’s tallest hotel. For the briefest of moments it even held the title for the tallest observation deck and China’s tallest tower. But, with the skyscraper craze in the middle east and China there was just no way of winning this. For now, till 2014, it will still stay the tallest in Shanghai.
But, I’ve been to three towers in Shanghai, and theirs is the nicest observation deck and it’s absolutely gorgeous during the night. I was very lucky to have a local soon-to-be-married friend who I adore grab us some free tickets at the local police station. Can’t beat that.
Behold! Shanghai at night!
In case you’re interested in irrelevant history, I aim to please (source) :
Standing in the center of Lujiazui Finance & Trade Zone in Pudong, Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) was completed in August 28, 2008, being the tallest skyscraper in China surpassing its neighbor Jinmao Tower. Having 101 floors with a height of 492 meters (about 1,614 feet), it ranked the top in the heights of roof and usable floor by the time when it was built, announced by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). […]
The construction started in 1997 and continued after a six-year shutdown caused by the Asian financial crisis. With the intention to be the tallest building in the whole world, seven more floors were added after revisions to the previous design. Basement two to F3 is maintained for shopping malls. Meeting facilities and offices are distributed on F3-5 and F7-77. The Park Hyatt Hotel is located on F79-93 and F94-100 is used for sightseeing. The sightseeing hall was opened to public on August 30. It ranked the tallest sightseeing hall in the world by the time it was built.
Some parts of the floor are transparent. Not as nice as at the TV tower, but still…
As for the observation deck…
All very nicely done.
Of all the towers, I’d say make this one your Shanghai observation spot. The bottle opener awaits.
Unbelievably gorgeous !!!
“Paris of the Orient”. Hope you had a chance to visit the Peace Hotel and the legendary (and quite ‘jurassic’) Jazz Band. The history of the Peace Hotel is quite interesting.
And a photo for your next tower… Quite nice but the view… well… it’s not Shanghai! 🙂
Thanks, Anabela. Yeah, I know about the Peace Hotel, ofcourse, and the local wealthy Jewish families. that is fascinating stuff. ^^
Not only; There was a time in history where the biggest René Lalique collection (the crystal collection) was part of the Peace Hotel; The pieces themselves were placed on niches on the walls built exclusive for that. By the time the Cultural Revolution happened, the staff of the Hotel covered those niches with a piece of wood, painted them over and were able to save them. I do wonder what happened to that collection…
Anabela – yep, i heard something along these lines. there’s even a dedicated section on that in the lonely planet, surprisingly. it’s very interesting history.