Best Expo Views
Want to be part of the great firework-watching hoard Friday night? Head for Lupu Bridge. Otherwise, here are our recommends for bird's eye views of the Expo site now through October.
Lupu Bridge
Address: No. 909 Luban Lu, Luwan. [Take Line 4 to Luban Lu station and walk left to the base of the Lupu Bridge: Note: make sure that if you take a taxi to tell your driver to drop you at the base of the bridge not to drive over it]
Admission: RMB80
Expo View: Probably the premier place to get a view of the entire Expo site, the Lupu Bridge climb is Shanghai’s most inexpensive and panoramic way to see the Expo and the city. Though lorded as the world’s longest arch bridge, you don’t need to be a tri-athlete to make this climb. Once reaching the observation platform, friendly staff will explain each Expo site and can even point out your own country’s pavilion for you. From the platform you can see the entire Expo site both on the Pudong and Puxi side of the Huangpu River. The most striking sight from the platform, however, is the China Pavilion that sticks out like a red lantern in a sea of grey mist so it’s definitely worth the climb.
Recommended: The premise of physical exertion deters many visitors from this little known tourist spot. At a leisurely pace the climb can be done in about 20 minutes and the observation deck has plenty of room to maneuver. With the best views of the entire Expo site, if you’re up for a little cardio and strapped for cash this is the place to head to.
Oriental Pearl Tower
Address: Fenghe Lu near Lujiazhui Huan Lu, Pudong [Take Line 2 to Lujiazhui]
Admission: RMB150 (includes entry to both observation decks and Shanghai Municipal History Museum)
Expo View: With two observation decks wrapped in multi-coloured orbs, the Oriental Pear Tower is the kitschiest way to view the Expo. Expect to mingle and go elbow to elbow with both locals and other visitors to catch a glimpse of the Expo site from the north side of the tower. Though situated right on top of the American, European and joint African pavilion the Space Module at the top Oriental Pearl Tower offers the best site to get a sweeping gaze of the Enterprise Pavilion as well as taking the view of the Huangpu River and the Bund. The glass floor observation deck located on the second orb though not as scary as the Grand Canyon Skywalk still derives squeals of both delight and terror from young and old and is a great place to hit when you’ve done seeing the Expo.
Recommended: As one of Shanghai’s most recognizable tourist spots, this is definitely one for those who don’t mind crowds. Entry to the Shanghai Municipal History Museum is also covered in the cost of admission so those bringing the kids to Expo might want to check this out to get a glimpse of both old and contemporary Shanghai.
Shanghai World Financial Center
Address: Century Avenue, Pudong New Area [Take line 2 to Lujiazhui and head towards Super Brand Mall]
Admission: Adults RMB150 Children 75RMB (94, 97, 100 Floor)
Expo View: As the world’s third tallest building, the Shanghai World Financial Centre is worth a look for the spectacular views you can get of Shanghai as well as the vertigo experienced on the 1,555 ft observation deck. For views of the Expo, the location of the tower places it in the background behind the Oriental Pearl Tower and Jinmao Tower so don’t expect to see anything up close but its overarching position enables visitors to get an across-the-board view of all the north and east section of the Expo.
Recommended: Open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. (admissions close at 10 p.m.), this is probably the best place to see the Expo site at night. Though a little pricey, the high-tech elevators and extensive use of neon lights in the tower gives it a fun arcade/dance-party feel. The observation decks are generally quieter than the alternatives, which gives you a little more wriggle room and time to gaze.
Jinmao Tower
Address: 88 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area [Take Line 2 to Lujiazhui and head towards Super Brand Mall]
Admission: Adults RMB70, Children RMB35 and Students and Seniors RMB60.
Expo View: Though scooped by its neighbour for bragging rights in Pudong’s Skyline, the Jinmao Tower still offers a great place to view the Expo (plus it's cheaper). From the 88th-floor observation deck, visitors can see the American, European and African Pavilions and a view of the Enterprise Pavilion across the Huangpu River. Make sure to go up on a clear day.
Recommended: It's cheaper than the SWFC and Oriental Pearl Tower with comparable views.
Grand Hyatt
Address: 54-87F Jinmao Tower, 88 Century Avenue Pudong New Area [Take Line 2 to Lujiazhui and walk towards Super Brand Mall] Listing
Admission: N/A
Expo View: If you fancy waking up every morning to the site of the Expo this is the place for you. The Grand Hyatt offers its guests a room with a view for the Expo. The Hotel Lobby, Grand Café 54F, Cloud 9 87F and Club Jin Mao 86F all have great site views. Most of the guest rooms have views of the Expo sites but double check when making your reservations.
Recommended: For any visitors who want to be close to the Expo action without being in the thick of it. The hotel will be running a shuttle bus service with a bus tour of the World Expo site, limousine service to the World Expo site and VIP transportation to the World Expo site’s interiors that guests can purchase upon arrival.
Vue Bar (Hyatt on the Bund)
Address: 32-33F Hyatt on the Bund, 199 Huangpu Lu near Wuchang Lu.
Expo View: Wine and dine while you have a looksy? Located on the northern end of the Bund, Vue Bar offers a 260-degree view of the Huangpu River, giving you a straight down the barrel view of both the Puxi and Pudong side of the Expo (albeit at a distance). Make sure to check this place out at night for views of the Expo light show.
Recommended: If you want to combine Expo gazing with a night of classy cocktails and fine wines, this is the place to go. With its prime position on the Bund and its sit down, chill out atmosphere, Vue Bar is definitely the place for a more sedate Expo experience.