Things to do in the Oriental Pearl TowerThe Oriental Pearl Tower is the pride of Shanghai's financial district in the city's Lujiazui in the Pudong New Area. It overlooks the Huangpu River and is famous for its ultracontemporary streamlined exterior with several pearls. Inside, you'll find a host of different activities, including a revolving restaurant, museum, virtual roller coaster, and jaw-dropping observation platforms that allow you to soak in the whole of Shanghai.

It's the city's third-tallest structure and easily one of the most interesting buildings in the downtown core. The city's other tallest towers, the Shanghai Tower (632 meters) and the Shanghai World Financial Center (492 meters), are both nearby and well worth seeing. Since modernity is the name of the game at the Oriental Pearl Tower, visitors can zip around to the different floors on super-speedy 50-person capacity elevators that move at seven meters per second. Swallowing frequently on the elevator will make this ride much more pleasant.

Visitors can grab a bite to eat before ascending the tower at the sophisticated Old Shanghai No. 8 Restaurant or the Coca-Cola Happy Restaurant, which offers a wide array of different types of cuisine, including traditional Chinese, European, American, and Japanese. You'll also find plenty of cafes and restaurants scattered throughout the tower's many floors, so you can always grab a quick coffee or a delicious dessert to break up your journey.

The Shanghai History Museum is also on the ground floor of the Oriental Pearl Tower and contains a fabulous array of artifacts and relics through six comprehensive exhibition halls. This museum tells the story of Shanghai through precious work and life-sized figures featuring some of the city's most important luminaries.

The Oriental Pearl Tower's Dynamic Ring Multimedia Show lets you jump 70 years in the future to see how the city will develop over time. An immersive and innovative look at projected scientific developments and what's on the horizon for mega-cities like Shanghai projected on a 240-degree screen complete with an additional ground screen, you'll feel fully transported to a time in the distant future.

Make your way up to the next level for a one-of-a-kind experience: a virtual reality roller coaster that will give you plenty of thrills without moving an inch. You'll soar over Shanghai in this full-body virtual reality experience. It's one of the most interesting levels of the Oriental Pearl Tower and certainly at the top of most people's lists. There are height requirements for this coaster. Children under 1.3 meters tall cannot ride, and children between 1.3 and 1.4 meters tall must be accompanied by an adult. Those over 1.4 meters tall may ride by themselves.

Do you dare to tread on the Oriental Pearl's see-through observatory, which offers a completely panoramic view of the city? Made of fully tempered and safe glass, this unique observatory gives visitors a bird's-eye view of everything happening below. At 150 meters long, it is vast and a great place to take some unique pictures.

This gallery is one of the best spots to see the Huangpu River, Pujiang River, and Pujiang Shuangqiao in their full glory and get a glimpse of the Shanghai skyline and the complete financial district. It's also an excellent spot to go for sunset when the setting sun bathes Shanghai in rich hues of orange and gold.

The Oriental Pearl Restaurant proudly hosts the tallest revolving restaurant in all of Asia, where you can dine at over 250 meters up and see Shanghai spread out in its glory as the restaurant slowly turns to offer you more views. With buffet and off-the-menu dining featuring the finest in Chinese, European, Southeast Asian, Japanese, and American cuisine, you're bound to have a beautiful meal as you take in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

At the very top of the Oriental Pearl Tower, you'll find the Space Capsule Sightseeing Floor. This particular area is decorated with an out-of-this-world ship, a stark white and illuminated futuristic design, and giant windows that allow you to see far down into Shanghai.

Shanghai Original Pearl Tower

Since the Oriental Pearl Tower is an indoor experience, it's good to visit all year round. Plan on spending at least two hours exploring the tower, and add a little extra time if you want to dine at the revolving restaurant. The views from the observation platforms are especially impressive at sunset or dusk and on bright, sunny days.

The Oriental Pearl Tower's exterior is equally impressive; consider seeing it from a short Huangpu River cruise, which will also offer you a fabulous view of The Bund. You can also get great tower views from nearby Pudong Park or The Bund. The tower lights up at night.

• Location: No. 1 Century Avenue in the Luijiazui Financial Trade Zone Pudong New Area. The tower is quite easy to get to by public transportation or taxi. It's right on bus routes 82, 939, and 314, and Metro Line 2, exit 2.
• Opening hours: The tower is open between 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., and the Shanghai History Museum is open between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• Entrance Ticket: Ticket costs start at 199 RMB. If you want to visit just the Shanghai History Museum, you'll pay 35 RMB. The observation decks are highly popular, so booking your ticket ahead of time is a good idea.

The Original Pearl Tower at night

If you're in Shanghai for New Year's Day, why not join the locals in climbing the Oriental Pearl Tower? It's an excellent symbolic way to start the New Year fresh and a great way to get your steps in.

This iconic destination is also home to cultural exhibits in the lobby and celebrities' Earth Hour every year. It's also been illuminated in blue for autistic awareness and pink for women's support.