OrientalPearl Tower, the Symbolic TV Tower of Shanghai

The Oriental Pearl Radio & TelevisionTower is a TVtower in Shanghai. Its location at the tip of Lujiazui in the Pudong New Areaby the side of Huangpu River, opposite The Bund, makes it a distinct landmarkin the area. Its principal designers were Jiang Huan Chen, Lin Benlin, andZhang Xiulin. Construction began in 1991, and the tower was completed in 1994.

Surrounded by the Yangpu Bridge in thenortheast and the Nanpu Bridge in the southwest, it creates a picture of 'twindragons playing with pearls. The entire scene is a photographic jewel thatexcites the imagination and attracts thousands of visitors year-round.

The antenna which broadcasts TV and radioprograms, extends the construction by another 118 m (387 ft) to a total heightof 468 m. This 468 meters (1,536 feet) high tower is the world's sixth andChina's second tallest TV and radio tower. However, even more alluring than itsheight is the unique architectural design that makes Oriental Pearl Tower oneof the most attractive places anywhere. Its base is supported by threeseven-meter wide slanting stanchions. Surrounding the eleven steel spheres thatare 'strung' vertically through the center are three nine-meter wide columns.

There are three large spheres including thetop sphere, known as the space module. Then there are five smaller spheres andthree decorative spheres on the base. The entire structure rests on rich greengrassland and gives the appearance of pearls shining on a jade plate.

It was the tallest structure in China from1994–2007, when it was surpassed by the Shanghai World Financial Center. It isclassified as an AAAAA scenic area by the China National TourismAdministration. The tower is brightly lit in different LED sequences at night.On 7 July 2007, Oriental Pearl Tower was host to the Chinese Live Earthconcert.

The entire tower is supported by threeenormous columns that start underground. The two largest spheres, along thelength of the tower, have diameters of 50 m (164 ft) for the lower and 45 m(148 ft) for the upper. They are linked by three columns, each 9 m (30 ft) indiameter. The highest sphere is 14 m (46 ft) in diameter.

In 1995, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower wasrated as one of the top ten new landscapes in Shanghai. In 1999, the OrientalPearl TV Tower won the first prize of Shanghai Excellent Survey and DesignAward and the Zhan Tianyou Award of China Civil Engineering. On May 8, 2007,the Oriental Pearl TV Tower was approved by the National Tourism Administrationas a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction.

Observationlevels

The tower has fifteen observatory levels.The highest (known as the Space Module) is at 351 m (1148 ft). The lower levelsare at 263 m (863 ft) (Sightseeing Floor) and at 90 m (295 ft) (Space City).There is a revolving restaurant at the 267 m (876 ft) level. The project alsocontains exhibition facilities and a small shopping center. There is also a20-room hotel called the Space Hotel between the two large spheres. The upperobservation platform has an outside area with a 1.5 inch glass floor.

Chinesesymbolism in the design

The chief of the jury board said that thedesign reminded him of a verse of the Tang Dynasty poem "Pipa Song"by Bai Juyi about the wonderful sprinkling sound of a pipa instrument, likepearls, big and small falling on a jade plate (大珠小珠落玉盘). However, the designer Jiang Huancheng says that he did not havethe poem in mind when designing the tower.

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai

Oriental Pearl Tower

Visitors travel up and down the OrientalPearl Tower in double-decker elevators that can hold up to fifty people at therate of seven meters per second. The elevator attendants recite an introductionto the TV Tower in English and Chinese during the rapid 1/4-mile ascent. Onceyou reach your destination, you will be amazed at the variety of activitiesavailable as the various spheres and columns actually house places of interest,commerce, and recreation.

The inner is a recreational palace, whilethe Municipal History Museum is located in the tower's pedestal. The largelower sphere has a futuristic space city and a fabulous sightseeing hall. Fromhere, on a clear day a visitor can see all the way to the Yangtze River. Thebase is home to a science fantasy city. The five smaller spheres are a hotelthat contains twenty-five elegant rooms and lounges. The pearl at the very topcontains shops, restaurants, (including a rotating restaurant) and asightseeing floor. The view of the city from this height fills you with wonderat the beauty that surrounds you. When viewed from the Bund at night, thethree-dimensional lighting makes it a delight of brilliant color.

It is amazing that this ultra-modernOriental Pearl TV Tower combines ancient concepts such as the spherical pearls,with 21st Century technology, commerce, recreation, educational and conferencefacilities. It really is a TV and radio tower that services the city with morethan nine television channels and upwards of ten FM radio channels. Truly,'oriental pearl' is the most suitable name for it.

Revolving Restaurants

There is a revolvingrestaurant inside the second sphere of the Oriental Pearl Tower. The restaurantmainly offers buffet of western style. While dining, customers can appreciatethe beautiful scene of the city. Besides, customers of the revolving restaurantcan enjoy free visit of the tower, including the three spheres and theMunicipal History Museum. The cost of the restaurant is listed here for yourreference: