Antenna spire 467.9 m (1,535 ft) Height 468 m | Completed 1994 Top floor 350.0 m (1,148 ft) Floors 14 | |
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Type Communication, hotel, observation, restaurant Construction started July 30, 1991 (1991-07-30) Architects Jia Huan Cheng, Zhang Xiulin, Lin Benlin Similar The Bund, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai World Financial, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden | ||
Oriental pearl tower shanghai china
The Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower (Chinese: 东方明珠塔; pinyin: Dōngfāng Míngzhūtǎ; : Tonfon Mintsyta, official name: 东方明珠广播电视塔) is a TV tower in Shanghai. Its location at the tip of Lujiazui in the Pudong district by the side of Huangpu River, opposite The Bund, makes it a distinct landmark in the area. Its principal designers were Jiang Huan Chen, Lin Benlin, and Zhang Xiulin. Construction began in 1991, and the tower was completed in 1994.
Contents
- Oriental pearl tower shanghai china
- Oriental pearl tower elevator pudong district shanghai china asia
- Observation levels
- Antenna spire
- Chinese symbolism in the design
- 2010 fire
- References
At 468 m (1,535 feet) high, it was the tallest structure in China from 1994–2007, when it was surpassed by the Shanghai World Financial Center. It is classified as an AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration. The tower is brightly lit in different LED sequences at night. On 7 July 2007, Oriental Pearl Tower was host to the Chinese Live Earth concert.
The tower features 11 spheres, big and small. The two largest spheres, along the length 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) in diameter. The highest sphere is 14 m (46 ft) in diameter.
The entire tower is supported by three enormous columns that start underground.
Oriental pearl tower elevator pudong district shanghai china asia
Observation levels
The tower has fifteen observatory levels. The highest (known as the Space Module) is at 350 m (1148 ft). The lower levels are 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 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 inch glass floor.
Antenna spire
An antenna, broadcasting TV and radio programs, extends the construction by another 118 m (387 ft) to a total height of 468 meters (1,535 ft).
Chinese symbolism in the design
It is said to be based on a verse of the Tang Dynasty poem Pipa Song by Bai Juyi about the wonderful sprinkling sound of a pipa instrument, like pearls, big and small falling on a jade plate (大珠小珠落玉盘/大珠小珠落玉盤/dà zhū xiǎo zhū luò yù pán). However, the designer Jiang Huancheng says that he did not have the poem in mind when designing the tower. It was the chief of the jury board who said it reminded him of that poem.
2010 fire
On April 13, 2010 the antenna at the top of the 468m tower caught fire at around 2:00 a.m. The fire was then put out by firefighters. Prior to the fire there was a series of thunderstorms.