Where vertigo meets wonder—step onto glass platforms floating 300m above the city, sip cocktails beside glowing skyscrapers, and ride Ferris wheels mounted on industrial relics. This is Shanghai’s sky-high renaissance.
From glass floors above the Huangpu to Ferris wheel sunsets and art terraces floating over the river, Shanghai’s new rooftop experiences mix thrill, beauty, and culture. Whether you want skyline cocktails, open-air art, or a breezy ride under the stars, the city’s rooftops will take you higher.
🏙️ Iconic Viewpoints: Sky Decks & Observation Decks
1. The Stage at White Magnolia (白玉兰观景台)
-Height & Vibe : 320m rooftop with 360° views of the Bund + Lujiazui. Features a 5-act immersive theater journey (materials, scents, sounds change per section).
-Best Time : Sunset (6-7 PM) for golden-hour photography; night for LED cityscapes.
-Tickets : ¥230 (adult), includes ¥30 shop voucher; book via WeChat "The Stage 白玉兰观景台" or on-site.
-Address : B1, 501 East Daming Rd, Hongkou (enter via White Magnolia Plaza).
2. West Bund Dream Center - Cloud Dream Terrace (西岸梦中心·云梦天台)
-Industrial Chic : 270° views from a transformed 1920s cement silo. Climb orange steel walkways for shots framing Lujiazui through rusty beams.
-Night Magic : Silo glows orange after dusk; free weekend jazz (Fri-Sat 7-9 PM).
-Free Entry : Open until May 31; reserve via "West Bund Dream Center" mini-app 6.
-Address : 4F, Bldg 12, 2266 Longteng Ave, Xuhui.
3. Pudong Art Museum Rooftop (浦东美术馆露台)
-Architectural Perk : Jean Nouvel-designed terrace with reflective pools mirroring the Oriental Pearl Tower.
-Secret Spot : Northwest corner for crowd-free selfies with Waibaidu Bridge backdrop.
-Access : Free with MAP ticket (¥100); open till 9 PM for night views.
🎡 Adrenaline Heights: Sky-High Activities
1. SKY RING Ferris Wheel (静安大悦城)
-China’s First Rooftop Suspended Wheel : 60m high, 30 glass cabins with customizable LED lighting.
-Night Ride : ¥120/cabin (fits 4); sync cabin lights to your playlist via Bluetooth.
-Address : 8F, Joy City Mall, 198 Xizang North Rd, Jing’an.
2. Changtan Sightseeing Tower - "Golden Cudgel" (长滩观光塔)
-180m High Challenge : Walk the Cloud Trail on the tower’s outer rim (88m loop). Only 1% dare to lean outward hands-free with double harnesses!
-Requirements : Height >1.3m, weight <120kg; no heart conditions. Closed in rain/wind.
-Tickets : ¥180; includes glove + phone lanyard. Combo tip : Buy with 1F Garden coffee (¥58) for 20% off.
-Address : Intersection of Yangtze & Huangpu Rivers, Baoshan (Metro Line 3 → Youyi Rd Station)
🍸 Dining in the Clouds: Rooftop Bars & Restaurants
| Venue | Specialty | View | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| FLAIR (Ritz-Carlton) | Truffle dumplings + chrysanthemum gin | Pudong skyline from 58F | +86 21 2020 8888 (mention "window seat") |
| Cloud 9 (Columbia Circle) | "Jade Dragon" cocktails (¥128) | Sun Ke Villa spire + pool | WeChat "ColumbiaCircle" |
| M on the Bund | Foie gras mooncakes (¥88) | Historic Bund waterfront | www.m-restaurantgroup.com |
🎨 Culture at Altitude: Sky Galleries & Theaters
Power Station of Art Sky Garden (PSA顶楼花园)
Free Film Screenings : Thu nights (Aug 2025) featuring Wong Kar-wai classics. Bring picnic mats!
Address : 678 Miaojiang Rd, Huangpu.
🚉 Visitor Toolkit
Payment: Most rooftop venues take WeChat/Alipay; higher-end bars/restaurants
Dress code: Some bars enforce smart-casual—no sportswear.
Weather: Rooftop experiences may close in heavy rain/high winds; always check before heading out.
Crowds: Sunset slots and weekends are busiest; weekday afternoons are calmer.
⚡ Insider Hacks: Skip Lines, Snap Wins
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Timing is Everything :
The Stage : Book 3-4 PM slot—stay for sunset + night views without re-entry.
SKY RING : Queue at 8:30 AM opening—cabins cleanest for photos.
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Free Alternatives :
Hyatt on the Bund’s Vue Bar : ¥100 drink minimum ≈ 1/3 ticket price of The Stage.
Cloud Dream Terrace : Wednesdays = 50% off craft beers.
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Photo Secrets :
FLAIR Bar : Use wine glass to refract Lujiazui lights (place near lens).
Changtan Tower : Ask staff to activate "Golden Hour" LED rail lights at dusk.
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Avoid :
Weekends at SKY RING (2-hr waits); heels on silo walkways (grip-less!).
Shanghai’s rooftops aren’t escapes—they’re portals. One moment you’re tracing the Bund’s Gothic spires from 320m; the next, you’re leaning into the wind on a rusted silo, the Huangpu’s cargo ships glinting like fallen stars below. Carry home not just photos, but the city’s heartbeat echoing in your bones.
Shanghai’s rooftops aren’t just views—they’re moments: champagne against a sky of steel and glass, laughter inside a glowing Ferris wheel, a quiet bench over the river. Up here, the city slows down, and every glance reminds you—you’re in one of the most beautiful skylines on earth.