Location:Shanghai

Shanghai World Financial Center

Standing in the center of Lujiazui Finance & Trade Zone in Pudong and neighbouring Shanghai Tower and Jinmao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) was completed in August 28, 2008, being the second tallest skyscraper in mainland China. Having 101 floors with a height of 492 meters (about 1,614 feet), it ranked the top in the heights of roof and usable floor by the time when it was built, announced by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).

Aiming to be a magnet of the world’s finance, the building boasts functions of first class financial centers, able to showcase monetary talents, cultural and art exhibitions and information from all over the world. Modern office facilities, sightseeing floor at 474 meters (about 1,555 feet) above the ground, luxury hotel and multi-function meeting facilities are all available here, and over twenty multinational financial institutions will move into the ultra-modern building. More than forty enterprises from Japan and American invested together to construct this high-rises building.

The construction started in 1997 and continued after a six-year shutdown caused by the Asian financial crisis. With the intention to be the tallest building in the whole world, seven more floors were added after revisions to the previous design. Basement two to F3 is maintained for shopping malls. Meeting facilities and offices are distributed on F3-5 and F7-77. The Park Hyatt Hotel is located on F79-93 and F94-100 is used for sightseeing. The sightseeing hall was opened to public on August 30. It ranked the tallest sightseeing hall in the world by the time it was built.

Like all skyscrapers in the world, security is a major issue of particular concern. The capability to withstand fire, wind, impacts, earthquakes and thunder is considered thoroughly at the very beginning of the design. SWFC can survive a massive 8 magnitude earthquake. There are fireproofed floors for escape; a dozen sets of obstacle indicator lights to warn low flying aircraft, as well as two wind dampers to reduce wind acceleration by 40%. In addition to lightning conductors covering the building, its glazed glass skin also protects against lightning and looks good too.

The entrance of the observatory is in Basement 1 on the west side of the building (just opposite the Jinmao Building). Tickets are sold here and visitors can take the elevator directly to the sightseeing platform. Sky arena on F94 provides a perfect and extensive view of Shanghai along the Huangpu River. The 750-square-meter (about 897-square-yard) sightseeing hall is also suitable for exhibitions. Parapets in the window on F97 provide a place to take pictures. The open skylighted ceiling shows ingenuity in design. In good weather, it can be opened, turning the hall into an overpass in the air. The Sky Walk on F100 is a 55-meter (180-foot) corridor. While wandering on the floor made of transparent glass, you can see the top of the Oriental Pearl Tower just in front and feel as if you are walking in the air above the roof of the Jinmao Building. Vehicles, pedestrians and even the whole city seem to be far away, down below.

There is also a beautiful sight of the whole city from the Park Hyatt Hotel. The hotel’s lobby, with cocktail bar, is on the 87th floor, overlooking Pudong. Overlooking the entire city from the 100 Century Avenue Restaurant on the 91st floor appeals to all senses, with a perfect perspective to see the top of the near neighbor Jinmao Building, the full extent of Pudong and the Oriental Pearl Tower as well as many symbolic landmarks of Shanghai.

To be completed in 2010 before the opening of Shanghai World Expo, a two-storey pedestrian corridor being constructed in the city’s Lujiazui area is a big project in the vicinity of the SWFC. It will connect the financial center with the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jinmao Tower, several other symbolic skyscrapers, roads, subways and city center gardens are linked together. It will provide good access to SWFC with parts of the corridor given over to tea houses and cafes. The circle of the overpass to be built in the first phrase will connect the Oriental Pearl Tower and SWFC, providing a shortcut for people to shuttle between the two buildings.

Tips:
There are many elevators leading to different parts of the building. Elevators to the Observatory can be found in the entrance on Basement 1. It takes about a minute from the entrance to reach the 95th floor. The Park Hyatt Hotel has its own guest elevators from the south side of the building.

SWFC-Observatory ticket price: F94: CNY120; F94, F97 and F100: CNY150 (Half of the price for children below 140cm tall and free of charge for kinds below 80cm tall)
Normal Opening Hours: 08:00-23:00 every day (last entry at 23:00)

Transportation:
By bus:
Take bus 1, 85, 454, 584, 783, 798, 799, 992, Tunnel Line 3 or Tunnel Line 4 and get off at Century Ave. East Hospital Station. Walk about 300 meters to SWFC;
Take bus 455, Shangchuan Line, Cailu Line or Airport Shuttle Bus Line 5 and get off at Lujiazui Ring Road East Hospital Station;
Take bus 86, 795 or Hunan Line and get off at Pucheng Rd/Dongchang Rd Station;
Take bus 85, 313, 630, 774, 783, 797, 799, 935, 981, 983, Tunnel Line 6, 8 or 9 and get off at Pudong Ave. East Hospital Station;
Take bus 82, 314, 339, 454, 584, 607, 783, 796, 798, 818, 977, Taigao Line or Tunnel Line 3 and get off at Pudong South Rd/Dongchang Rd Station;
Take bus 82, 583, 875, 961 or 985 and get off at Lujiazui Ring Rd/Pucheng Rd Station.

By regular shuttle bus:
Every 8 to 10 minutes from Monday to Friday, free buses are available from 11:30 to 13:30 between SWFC and Zhengda Plaza. In addition, there are regular shuttle buses between SWFC and the HSBC Building. These are also free of charge and leave every 60 minutes (30 minutes at noon).

By subway:
Subway Line 2: get off at Dongchang Road Station, get out of the station from Exit 4; or get off at Lujiazui Station and get out of the station from Exit 6. Then walk 10 minutes towards the building.

By Ferry:
Take ferry to Dongchang Road Pier and then walk 20 minutes to the building.

By Tunnel:
Take Sightseeing Tunuel at the Bund and walk 20 minutes from the exit at Pudong side to SWFC.

Shanghai World Financial Center

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