Jin Mao Tower: A Legendary Journey of Chinese Skyscrapers Touching the Sky

Jin Mao Tower: A Legendary Journey of Chinese Skyscrapers Touching the Sky

Overview: A vertical city that defines Shanghai's skyline
The Jin Mao Tower, standing in the heart of the Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone in Pudong, Shanghai, is a 420.5-meter-tall, 88-story skyscraper. It was China's first building to exceed 400 meters in height and was the "tallest building in China" when it was completed in 1999.

Key Highlights at a Glance
Identity Labels: China's tallest building (1999-2007) / The opening piece of the Lujiazui "three-piece set" / A paradigm of Neo-Chinese skyscraper aesthetics
Key experiences: "Skywalk" on the 88th floor observation deck, Jin Mao Cloud Walk (outdoor walkway), Grand Hyatt Hotel's "Heavenly Court" afternoon tea, and panoramic views of both sides of the Huangpu River.
Recommended visit time: 2-3 hours. Climbing the tower at dusk is highly recommended for a panoramic view of both day and night.
Address: No. 88 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai

  • Jin Mao Tower: A Legendary Journey of Chinese Skyscrapers Touching the Sky-1
  • Jin Mao Tower: A Legendary Journey of Chinese Skyscrapers Touching the Sky-2
  • Jin Mao Tower: A Legendary Journey of Chinese Skyscrapers Touching the Sky-3
  • Jin Mao Tower: A Legendary Journey of Chinese Skyscrapers Touching the Sky-4

Origin: Ambition of the Times and Architectural Poetry

Furong Ancient Town

The Meaning Behind the Name "Jinmao"
The name "Jinmao" embodies the builders' beautiful vision and firm confidence in the development of this building and even the Pudong New Area. "Jin" symbolizes wealth and prosperity, implying that the building will become a golden place for gathering global financial resources; "Mao" represents prosperity and flourishing, expressing the expectation that enterprises here will thrive and flourish. Since its inception, this name has been closely linked to Shanghai's ambition as the forefront of China's reform and opening up and its determination to become an international economic center.

The Road to Rise – From Farmland to World Landmark
The birth of the Jin Mao Tower is one of the most exciting chapters in the epic history of Pudong's development and opening up.
- The Call of the Times (Early 1990s): With the launch of the national strategy for the development and opening up of Pudong, Lujiazui was planned as China's financial center and needed a super high-rise building with global landmark significance to announce its ambition.
- International Bidding (1993-1994): The project was open to global design competitions, and ultimately, the design by the American architectural firm SOM was selected. Its design was inspired by ancient Chinese pagodas, perfectly blending traditional cultural imagery with modern technology.
- Pinnacle Construction (1994-1999): The construction process overcame numerous technical challenges, such as ultra-deep pile foundations in soft soil and high-altitude construction. In less than 5 years, it was fully completed and opened to the public on August 28, 1999, stunning the world as the third tallest building in the world at the time.
- Timeless Classic (1999 to present): Although it has been surpassed by the Shanghai World Financial Center and Shanghai Tower, the Jin Mao Tower’s elegant tower shape and profound cultural connotations have made it one of the most beloved and recognized city symbols in Shanghai, receiving more than one million visitors annually.

In-depth understanding: Explore more modern architectural wonders of China >> [Shanghai Tower] | [Guangzhou Tower]

Must-see spectacle: Steel behemoths and views from the clouds

Furong Ancient Town Furong Ancient Town Furong Ancient Town

The charm of Jinmao Building lies in its culminating architectural art and unparalleled spatial experience.

Architectural Wonders – A Symphony of Digital and Aesthetics
Viewed from afar and up close, Jinmao Building is a three-dimensional poem worth reading.

- Elegant silhouette of cascading points: Its most striking exterior feature is the tower that shrinks layer by layer at an angle of about 1.5 degrees. This is not a simple geometric shape, its design is inspired by ancient Chinese dense eaves pagodas (such as the Xi'an Big Wild Goose Pagoda), showing a sense of upward growth and the unique elegant rhythm of the East, in stark contrast to the uprightness of Western skyscrapers.
- "Spire" and "Crown": The top of the building is extremely well designed. The stepped scoring structure composed of the number "8" (hair) not only symbolizes auspiciousness, but also forms the iconic "crown" image. The stainless steel mast at the top is 51 meters high, shining in the sun, like a needle piercing the sky.
- Ingenuity and Details: The building façade is made of high-grade aluminum alloy, stainless steel and glass curtain walls. In particular, the 24K gold-plated hollow pattern decoration is cleverly used in the entrance canopy, indoor railing, etc., faintly revealing the luxury and sophistication of Chinese classics in the modern appearance.

Cloud humanities - the sublimation of space and experience
Entering the interior of the building, especially on the high floors, is a completely different kind of shock.

- 88th floor sightseeing hall: Wind speed experience platform: Located on the 340-meter-high main light floor, it has a 360-degree panoramic glass curtain wall with no dead ends. There is an air post office here that can send blessings from the clouds. The most exciting thing is to walk on the glass corridor, look directly at the model-like city streets and vehicles under your feet, and experience the feeling of "levitating" in the air.
- "Jinmao Cloud Walk": This is China's first and the world's tallest barrier-free outdoor skywalk. Outside the 88th floor tourist hall, the total length is 60 meters, the width is 0.8 meters, and the ground is 340.6 meters. Participants fasten their safety ropes, walk at the waist of the building under the guidance of professional coaches, and face the high-altitude wind speed, which is definitely a testing ground for the brave.
- The "Heavenly Court" Wonder on the 53rd Floor: Located in the atrium of Grand Hyatt Shanghai Jinmao. This cylindrical space, which is 152 meters high and 27 meters in diameter, runs from the 54th floor to the top of the hotel and is surrounded by 555 rooms. Take the high-speed elevator through it, or look up at the café on the 53rd floor, and you will be shocked by the spatial scale of this futuristic world, which has been selected for the Guinness Book of World Records.
- Inlay of cultural details: Chinese elements can be seen everywhere inside the building. From the octagonal red marble parquet in the lobby (symbolizing "hair"), to the algae-style ceiling in the banquet hall, to the conference hall named after a Chinese province, all reflect the design philosophy of "Chinese and Western".

Photography cheats:
> The best external panoramic camera is located on the Bund viewing platform or Pudong Binjiang Avenue, which can take classic photos of Jinmao and other "two-piece sets" in the same frame;
> Interior shooting: Creative photos of people blending with the city using glass reflections in the 88th floor Tourist Hall; the shocking depth of the "Heavenly Court" on the 53rd floor;
> Night scene shooting: The lights of Jinmao Building itself outline its tower-like structure and are the protagonists of Lujiazui night scenes. Use a tripod for long exposures to capture dynamic images of traffic and light tracks surrounding the building.

Core Experience: An Immersive Guide to Urban Excellence

Furong Ancient Town Furong Ancient Town Furong Ancient Town

Five things you must do to unlock the complete peak journey
1. Take on the challenge of "walking in the clouds".
- Experience: Take a step without railings at a height of 340 meters. This not only requires courage, but also rewards you with a unique panoramic view and an unforgettable certificate.
- Note: This project is highly susceptible to weather conditions and requires advance reservation and confirmation of opening conditions.
2. Collect a "Sky Imprint"
- Location: Sky Post Office inside the 88th-floor observation deck.
- Action: Purchase a unique postcard, have it stamped with the commemorative postmark of "Jin Mao Tower 88th Floor Observation Deck," drop it into the mailbox, and let this greeting from the clouds fly to your distant or future self.
3. Enjoy a "sky lunch or afternoon tea".
- Options: The hotel café on the 54th floor or the Nine Heavens Lounge on the 87th floor (formerly the world's highest hotel lounge).
- Essence: Order afternoon tea or a light meal, sit by the window, watch hundreds of boats race on the Huangpu River, and slowly unfold the Bund's collection of international architecture before your eyes, enjoying a luxurious moment in Shanghai.
4. Shoot a series of "time-space dialogue" blockbuster photos.
- Time: One hour before and after sunset. As the city lights begin to twinkle and the sky turns blue, it's the perfect time to photograph the Jin Mao Tower and the Bund, a blend of ancient and modern beauty.
- Clothing: Modern, minimalist or stylish attire that complements the skyscraper backdrop perfectly.
5. Read through "Architectural Code" carefully.
- Method: Take a guided tour or rent an audio guide to learn about the cultural metaphors in the building's design (such as the 13 tower sections symbolizing the months and the lotus shape at the top), upgrading sightseeing from "watching the spectacle" to "understanding the essence".

Suggested tour routes
Half-day "Peak Experience" tour (suitable for most tourists):
Arrive at 3 PM → Purchase tickets on the first floor and take the high-speed elevator (9 meters per second) directly to the 88th-floor observation deck (experience changes in ear pressure) (1.5 hours) → Experience the glass inner corridor, visit the sky post office, and wait for the sunset → Around 6 PM, witness the magical moment when the lights on both sides of the Huangpu River gradually illuminate → Descend to the 54th or 87th floor to enjoy a dinner or drinks in the clouds (reservations required) → End of tour.
IntoTravelChina Tip: This tour maximizes your experience of Jin Mao's height and stunning views. Observation deck tickets can be purchased online in advance to avoid queuing.

A one-day tour of the classic Lujiazui area (highly recommended):
Morning: Visit either Shanghai Ocean Aquarium or Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower (choose one).
Lunch: Enjoy lunch at Zhengda Plaza or IFC Mall.
Afternoon: In-depth tour of Jin Mao Tower (refer to the above half-day itinerary, with a focus on the Cloud Walk challenge).
Evening: Stroll along the Pudong Riverside Park and enjoy the dazzling night view of the "three-piece set" from the ground, or take a Huangpu River cruise to see the panoramic view of Lujiazui from the water.
IntoTravelChina's advantages: We can book the most suitable accommodations for you, arrange all the connections between activities, and provide detailed hiking route maps and safety guidelines.

Professional Guide: IntoTravelChina offers personalized itineraries, including a dedicated guide, transportation, and activity arrangements, ensuring a worry-free and in-depth travel experience. >> [Inquire Now for a Customized Itinerary]

Travel Guide: Transportation, Accommodation and Seasons

Furong Ancient Town Furong Ancient Town Furong Ancient Town

How to get there: The heart of the metro is direct
Jinmao Building is located in the core of Lujiazui, and the subway network is extremely developed.
- The most recommended way: Take Metro Line 2 to "Lujiazui Station", exit from Exit 6, look up and see Jinmao Building, about 3 minutes walk to it.
- Alternative subway: Metro Line 14 "Lujiazui Station" can also be directly accessed.
- Self-driving tips: Parking in the Lujiazui area is expensive and parking spaces are tight, so it is strongly not recommended to go by car. The building itself has underground parking, but it mainly serves hotel and office customers.

Best time to visit
The Jin Mao Building is suitable for all seasons, but the landscape is significantly affected by the weather and time of day.
- Sunny and cloudless dates: the best premise for visiting. When the visibility is high, you can see Chongming Island from the 88th floor, and the view is extremely wide.
- Twilight (1 hour before sunset to half an hour after sunset): The golden hour of gold. With one ticket purchase, you can enjoy three completely different spectacular scenes: daytime, sunset and night view.
- Holiday nights: The Bund and Pudong are all lit up, and the night view is the most gorgeous, but the sightseeing hall is also the most touristy.

Accommodation options
- The ultimate experience:
    Grand Hyatt Shanghai Jinmao: Stay directly on the 53rd to 87th floors of the building. Not only can you enjoy the high-altitude view at any time, but you can also deeply experience the wonders of "Heavenly Court" and top-notch service, and the bathroom windows of some rooms face the Bund.
    Ideal for: Travelers seeking the ultimate high-altitude check-in experience and celebrating special anniversaries.
- Lujiazui Core Area (convenient choice):
    It is surrounded by many super five-star hotels such as Shanghai Pudong Shangri-La, The Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental, etc., all of which are close to Jinmao Building, sharing invincible river views and core locations.
    Suitable for: Tourists who want to explore Lujiazui in depth and have extremely high requirements for accommodation quality.
- The Bund and City Center (View):
    Choose a hotel near the Bund or People's Square, you can look at the magnificent figure of Jinmao Building from the other side, experience the feeling of "living in a landscape painting", and it is also very convenient to cross the river through the subway.

IntoTravelChina accommodation booking suggestions:
Top hotels in Lujiazui and the Bund are in short supply, especially landscape rooms. By booking with us, you can not only ensure that you can lock in your favorite room type, but also package and plan accommodation, Jinmao sightseeing tickets, cloud walking experience and surrounding itineraries, and often get exclusive package discounts, so as to achieve one-stop hassle-free booking. >> [Click to contact IntoTravelChina Travel Consultant]

Extended Journey: Connecting the Past and Future of Greater Shanghai

Furong Ancient Town

The Jin Mao Tower is the starting point for experiencing the modern charm of Shanghai. From there, a travel network covering the essence of Shanghai can be woven.

- Classic "Shanghai Heights" 1-Day Route: Jin Mao Tower (classic landmark) → Shanghai Tower (top of China sightseeing) → Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower (old landmark). This is an ultimate route that ascends vertically, allowing you to experience Shanghai from different eras and perspectives.
- "The Grandeur of the Huangpu River" 2-Day Itinerary: Lujiazui (Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Tower, and other modern architectural complexes) → Cross the river by ferry or sightseeing tunnel → The Bund's collection of international architecture → Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street → Yu Garden. This is a complete Shanghai experience that traverses a century of history, from the modern financial center to the bustling Bund of the past. >> [Explore Shanghai: A 2-Day Journey Through Time](link)
- The Yangtze River Delta "Urban Lights" tour connects Shanghai (Jin Mao Tower, The Bund) with Hangzhou West Lake/Qianjiang New City and Suzhou Industrial Park/Ancient City, allowing you to experience the diverse landscape and amazing vitality of the Yangtze River Delta urban cluster, from classical gardens to modern new cities. >>Contact us to customize the above related itinerary

Join hands with IntoTravelChina to unlock your pinnacle perspective

Furong Ancient Town

The story of Jinmao Building is related to a nation's dream of climbing to the heights of the world, the translation of traditional culture in modern times and the never-ending upward spirit of a city. IntoTravelChina focuses on creating a deep, personal, and hassle-free Chinese travel experience. Our travel experts can help you:
- Tailor-made itinerary: Design the perfect route to include Jinmao Tower and other Shanghai landmarks based on your interests (architecture, photography, urban exploration).
- One-stop service: Get ticket reservations for popular attractions (such as walking in the clouds), special high-altitude accommodation, private car transfers and exclusive guided tours.
- Exclusive Experience: Arrange the best viewing time slot, professional architectural interpretation, niche camera position guidance, etc.

Let your trip to Jinmao Building not only climb high and look far, but also an in-depth dialogue to understand the spirit of Shanghai and the vitality of contemporary China.
> Start planning your journey today
> Welcome to contact our professional travel consultants, we will provide you with an exclusive itinerary plan and quotation within 24 hours. >> [Click to contact IntoTravelChina Travel Consultant]

Recommended Tours

Top 3 tours chosen by most customers to explore in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

Zhangjiajie Tour
Beijing Guilin Shanghai 9-Day Tour

9 Days  |  Beijing-Guilin-Shanghai

Zhangjiajie Tour
9-Day Shanghai-Zhangjiajie-Guangzhou Adventure

9 Days  |  Shanghai - Zhangjiajie - Guangzhou

Zhangjiajie Tour
The Imperial Triad: Shanghai, Luoyang & Beijing

8 Days  |  Shanghai - Luoyang - Beijing

What Our Clients Say?

Based on 10,000+ traveler reviews

...
Daniel Dorothea
Canada
Reviewed on April 29,2025
Shopping on Nanjing Road in Shanghai was just amazing! It's truly the "First Commercial Street of China", where tradition and modernity blend perfectly. You can find awesome souvenirs and experience the trendy vibes in cool stores. The neon lights at night are just spectacular, shining bright like Times Square in New York. The food here is incredible too. I had a feast for my taste buds. Shanghai, I'll definitely be back!
Destination(s): Shanghai
Date of Experience: May 08,2024
...
...
Elvis Eva
Canada
Reviewed on June 20,2025
As a solo traveler from Canada, I was nervous about navigating China alone—but this 11-day tour was PERFECT! From hiking the Great Wall at sunrise (Day 3) to gasping at the Terracotta Army (Day 5), every day delivered ‘pinch-me’ moments. The real showstopper? Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains (Day 7)! Our guide made the stone pillars come alive with stories. Massive thanks for handling all logistics—bullet train tickets, entry passes, car! And the 4-star hotels surprised me.
Destination(s): Beijing Xian Zhangjiajie Shanghai
Date of Experience: June 02,2025
... ... ...
...
Simon
America
Reviewed on May 29,2025
Our 2-day Zhangjiajie tour was beyond spectacular! As someone who’s visited Beijing and Shanghai for work, this trip revealed China’s wild, magical heart. Day 1 in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park felt like stepping onto Pandora—I’m a huge Avatar fan, and Yuanjiajie’s floating peaks left me breathless. The misty pillars and lush valleys like pure movie magic! Then came Fenghuang Ancient Town, we eat dinner beside the thundering waterfall. It seems Unreal! The night views of stilt houses glowing over the river were straight from a fairy tale. For fellow Avatar lovers and adventure seekers: Don’t miss this bucket-list experience! 10/10 would return. A Well-Traveled Film Buff, May 2025
Destination(s): Zhangjiajie
Date of Experience: May 08,2025
... ...

Ask a Question

Question Summary (100 characters)
Details (optional) (2,000 characters)
Name
Country
Email