Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Television tower in Lujiazui, Shanghai, China

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is a television and observation tower in Lujiazui, Shanghai. It consists of three main spheres and five smaller ones attached to three tall columns, with a total height of 468 meters (1,535 feet).

Construction began in 1991 and the tower opened in 1994, becoming a symbol of Shanghai's rapid development. It was built to improve television reception and was part of the first major projects in Pudong.

The tower's design, with its spheres and columns, is meant to look like pearls falling into a jade plate, a classic image in Chinese culture. Visitors often gather at the lower sphere's outdoor corridor to take in the view of the Bund and the skyscrapers of Lujiazui.

The tower is easy to reach by metro or taxi, and the entrance is on Century Avenue. Once inside, follow the signs to the elevators that take you to the different observation levels.

The tower's foundation uses a unique system of three hollow columns and diagonal supports that help it withstand earthquakes and strong winds. Its antenna mast, weighing 450 tons, was lifted into place in one piece, a first in China.