The Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower[a] is a TV tower in Shanghai. It is located on the banks of the Huangpu River, in Lujiazui, Pudong, opposite of the Bund. Since its opening in 1995, the tower has become a major tourist attraction and a cultural icon of Shanghai.
An initial idea of building a new TV tower in downtown Shanghai in order to increase capacity and replace older infrastructure was introduced in a broadcast on August 25, 1983. On November 17 of the same year, the plan was refined and presented in Shanghai Media Group's sixth five-year plan. The tower was planned to be 400 metres (1,300 ft).[5]
On March 25, 1984, the idea was formally proposed to the Shanghai Congress, which was approved later that year. After investigation, the site of the new tower was chosen in Lujiazui, an area that was rapidly developing due to economic reform. The decision was made official by the Shanghai Radio and Television Bureau on August 23 of the same year.[5]
In October 1986, the final proposal, which included a raise in the tower's planned height to 450 metres (1,480 ft), was submitted to the National Planning Commission, who approved the finalized proposal in January of the following year.[5]
In September 1988, three design firms submitted 12 designs for the tower. The "Oriental Pearl" design, created by the East China Architectural Design Institute, was selected.[5] The design featured three large spherical platforms and nine smaller observation decks, connected with three pillars and an elevator. According to the firm, the design was inspired by "Pipa xing" by Tang poet Bai Juyi and represented the culture of Shanghai.[6]
The lowest and largest sphere contains a museum and shopping center. Inside the middle sphere is a revolving restaurant. The highest sphere features a panoramic glass floor.[7]
On July 30, 1991, the tower's foundation laid and construction began.[8]
On December 14, 1993, the tower's body, which measured 350 metres (1,100 ft), was capped. On Labour Day of the following year, the steel antenna with a length of 110 metres (360 ft) and a weight of 450 metric tons (500 short tons) was installed after 11 days of ascension.[6] On October 1 of the same year, the ground floor interior was completed and various facilities began operating. Construction was marked as completed.[5][8]
A year later, the ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, and the tower was officially opened to the public.[9] Later that day, the tower made its first broadcast, which contained five TV programs and radios.[6]
In 1995, 15 foreign heads of government visited the tower.[9] A year later, another 35 foreign heads of government and 30 groups of foreign minister-level government officials visited the tower.[9]
The tower has been included in numerous lists, including "Top Ten New Landscapes in Shanghai",[10] "Top Ten New Landmarks in Shanghai",[11] and the list of AAAAA Tourist Attractions of China.[12]
The tower has fifteen observatory levels. The highest (known as the Space Module) is at 351 metres (1,150 ft). The lower levels are at 263 metres (863 ft) (Sightseeing Floor) and at 90 metres (300 ft) (Space City). There is a revolving restaurant at the 267 metres (876 ft) level. The project also contains exhibition facilities and a small shopping center. There is also a 20-room hotel called the Space Hotel between the two large spheres. The upper observation platform has an outside area with a 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) glass floor.[13]
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Geographic data related to Oriental Pearl Tower at OpenStreetMap