19 Dec 2017 - Shanghai Day 5: Oriental Pearl TV Tower (东方明珠电视塔)

When we left Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, the sky was already dark.  We took the metro back to Lujiazui (陆家嘴) station where Oriental Pearl TV Tower (东方明珠电视塔) is just a stone's throw away.

This 468 meters (1,536 feet) high tower is the world's sixth and China's second tallest TV and radio tower. However, even more alluring than its height is the unique architectural design that makes Oriental Pearl TV Tower one of the most attractive places anywhere. Its base is supported by three seven-meter wide slanting stanchions. Surrounding the eleven steel spheres that are 'strung' vertically through the center are three nine-meter wide columns.

Right at the foot of the tower, we realized that at both sides of the stairs, there are two drain-like structure which we suspected they could be slides.  Regardless, Jerlene and Javier decided to give it a try.  :-)
Visitors travel up and down the Oriental Pearl TV Tower in double-decker elevators that can hold up to fifty people at the rate of seven meters per second.

We bought the tickets that allow us to travel to the highest observatory (known as the Space Module) at 350 m (1148 ft).

There were a few capsules here where we can enter to watch a short 3D animation.

The night view of Shanghai from the observatory was superb.

The Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower has 3 main sightseeing floors where tourists could enjoy the city view from different heights. Below the Space Capsule (the 3rd sphere) is the major sightseeing floor, the 2nd sphere at 263 meters. There are 2 outdoor sightseeing floors. One is 259 meters off the ground (in the 2nd sphere) and the other is 90 meters from the ground, in the 1st sphere.

The glass-bottomed sightseeing corridor on the upper ball is absolutely the most attractive part in the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. You can experience a 360-degree view of Shanghai while standing on the corridor. You can also challenge yourself by walking through the 150-meter-long corridor and keeping your eyes looking down through the transparent glass floor.

Initially we thought Javier would not dare to step on the glass floor but we were wrong.  In fact, he's the most daring one.  :-)

The large lower sphere has a futuristic space city and a fabulous sightseeing hall. From here, on a clear day a visitor can see all the way to the Yangtze River. The base is home to a science fantasy city.

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