Interesting facts about the Oriental Pearl Tower

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The Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower is a TV tower in Shanghai.

It is commonly known as Oriental Pearl Tower.

The tower is located in Pudong Park in Lujiazui, Shanghai.

Construction began in 1991, and the tower was completed in 1994.

The Oriental Pearl Tower is the world’s sixth tallest TV and radio tower.

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It was was the tallest building in China from 1994 to 2007 when it was surpassed by the Shanghai World Financial Center.

Total height of tower from base including antenna, 468 meters (1,535 feet).

The tower features 11 spheres, big and small.

There are 3 large spheres including the top sphere, known as the space module.

The two largest spheres, along the length of the tower, have diameters of 50 meters (164 ft) for the lower and 45 meters (148 ft) for the upper. The space module sphere is 14 meters (46 ft) in diameter.

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The largest sphere is linked by three columns, each 9 meters (30 ft) in diameter.

Then there are 5 smaller spheres and 3 decorative spheres on the base.

The entire structure rests on rich green grassland and gives the appearance of pearls shining on a jade plate.

The tower has fifteen observatory levels. The highest is the space module is at 351 meters (1,148 ft). The lower levels are at 263 meters (863 ft) and at 90 meters (295 ft).

There is a revolving restaurant at the 267 meters (876 ft) level.

The tower also contains exhibition facilities and a small shopping center.

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There is also a 20-room hotel called the Space Hotel between the two large spheres

Visitors travel up and down the Oriental Pearl Tower in double-decker elevators that can hold up to 50 people at the rate of 7 meters per second.

The Oriental Pearl Tower is brightly lit in different LED sequences at night.

An antenna, broadcasting TV and radio programs is 118 meters (387 ft) high.

The tower is supposed to make the viewer think that pearls are dropping onto an jade plate.

The entire scene is a photographic jewel that excites the imagination and attracts thousands of visitors year-round.