The Oriental Pearl TV & Radio Tower is probably one of the oddest looking skyscrapers in the world. Took me some time to warm up to it, and I remember that upon first look I thought it’s utterly ugly and that it destroyed the Shanghai skyline, but when you think about it – it’s actually far better than just having the usual skyscraper office building monstrosities radiating commercials or carrying huge neon LCD signs of brainwashing company names. Atleast it’s special, with its own unique esthetically-challenged way. "Like the French have the Eiffel" a Shanghai-nese recently said to me.
One thing for sure, though, it’s definitely fun to take photos of…
The Oriental Pearl was my third skyscraper in Shanghai, the first being to Jinmao in 2010 and the second to the World Financial Center in 2011. I can’t believe I’ve been to Shanghai three times already. Unfortunately, this visit to the TV tower resembled my first visit to Jinmao, Shanghai was experiencing the usual boring grey weather and pollution was the average "extremely hazardous" "high risk" disaster. Looking down at Shanghai with air like that always manages to make me feel depressed and although I try my hardest to congratulate the Chinese for their accomplishments in developing China and Shanghai to be a world class, there’s no avoiding the feeling that the cost is just too high – atleast for me. How could one choose to live in a place like this for long, I wonder, even if the food is great and the city has style.
But, let’s put that aside for now. Since I was already there, might as well share some of the polluted views…
Wonderful, isn’t it? Tried Lightrooming the hell out of those photos, but no luck, pollution grey looks ugly grey no matter how much you play with it.
The one great thing you have in the Oriental Pearl that other skyscrapers don’t have is this "sky walk" feature with transparent floors…
Lots of funny stuff going around there. My dad was also very pleased to pose with this background but I have a feeling he won’t appreciate those photos being posted here 🙂
If you’re curious about the insides…
then it’s quite glamorous.
Note that there are some other attractions there, like the Shanghai Municipal History Museum I previously wrote about. There’s a combination ticket for the attractions for a discounted rate, mind you.
Overall, I’d say your best bet is the world financial center building. But, ofcourse, as far as you can control it – try and do it on a lower pollution day, if you manage to find one.