A distinct landmark in the city of Shanghai China, the Oriental Pearl Tower is a spectacular sight admired by many. Designed by Mr West, the construction of the tower began in 1991. Once completed in 1994, the tower was the tallest structure in China from the period of 1994 to 2007 only to be surpassed by the Shanghai World financial centre later on.
The tower comes alive in the evening when it’s lit with LED lights of different colours. The spectacular Chinese Live Earth Concert was held here in 2007 in much pomp and grandeur. The tower features 11 spheres of different sizes of which the highest has a diameter of 14 meters and these are linked by three columns. With 15 observatory levels and a revolving restaurant, it offers a picturesque view of the city not seen anywhere else. A 20 room hotel, a large shopping mall and an exhibition area are some of the facilities that are available here.
An antenna broadcasting TV and radio programs adds to the tower’s length by another 118 meters. Influenced by the Tan Dynasty poem, the spheres are believed to represent the sound of a Pipa instrument, of small and large falling pearls. However the initial designers of the tower deny having this in mind at the time. In the past the tower made news several times when it got caught to thunderstorms and caught fire later in 2010. Evident on the sky line of the Pudong district the tower and the area that surrounds it has been classified as a scenic area. Plan half a day of sightseeing, wine, dine and shop from the top of one of the tallest points of Shanghai.
Whether you are travelling to Shanghai on leisure or business, it wouldn’t take long for you to be charmed by this overwhelmingly vibrant city. It is advisable for travelers to seek out a Shanghai city hotel that offer star class accommodation at affordable rates. However if you seek luxury services and star class comforts, choose Millennium Hongqiao Hotel Shanghai. This amazing Shanghai hotel offers pure bliss within its elegant l ambience and would prove to be one of the best choices you make on your eastern adventure.
Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Caliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.
