Oriental Pearl TV Tower
Completed on October 1, 1994 and standing on the east bank of the Huangpu River, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower (东方明珠电视塔) is 468 meters high, ranking first in Asia and third in the world in height, next only to those in Toronto and Moscow. It is generally recognized as one of the most famous landmarks of Shanghai.
The tower consists of 11 spheres of different sizes at different levels, symbolizing a conception of "big and small pearls dropping onto a jade plate," a verse written by Du Fu, the famous Tang Dynasty poet.
At the height of 90 meters, there is an outdoor sightseeing corridor located inside the lower sphere, for sightseeing and recreation.
At 263 meters, there is a sightseeing floor located inside the upper sphere. Visitors standing there can enjoy a very good bird's-eye view of Shanghai.
At 267 meters there is a revolving restaurant, the highest of its kind in Asia.
At 271 meters is a KTV Zone, with 20 Karaoke rooms in all.
And finally, at 360 meters there is yet another sightseeing floor and a luxurious conference room.
Between the upper and the lower spheres there is a hotel with 250 suites and rooms.
