Shanghai Tower - a symbol of modern China

Modern China is growing and developing at a rapid pace. This is especially true of the city of Shanghai, in connection with which it is often called Eastern Paris. Over the past few decades, it has acquired the status of a major financial and economic center not only in China, but throughout the world. In one of its business districts, like mushrooms after the rain, dozens of modern skyscrapers with offices and banks have grown, each of which can be safely called a true architectural masterpiece. Whatever it was, against their backdrop, one building, which has become a local symbol, stands out - the Shanghai TV tower, known as the "Oriental Pearl". Among all other similar structures in Asia, it has the greatest height.

general description

The construction of the facility, the project of which was designed by the Chinese engineer Jia Huanchen, lasted four years. The Shanghai Tower is located in the heart of the business district, on the eastern shore of Huangpu and is surrounded by bridges. Their silhouettes are somewhat like giant reptiles. The building was commissioned in 1995. Its highest point is at the level of 468 meters, and the approximate weight is 120 thousand tons.

Be that as it may, the imagination is not so much the size of the building as its architectural design, which is not repeated anywhere else on the planet. In the external appearance of the skyscraper, traditional Chinese concepts are harmoniously combined with modern technologies. At its base lie reinforced concrete cylinders, whose diameter is equal to nine meters. The tower is as if strung eleven huge spheres, which are meant as pearls. The three largest of these balls have a functional purpose.

Structure

The lowest floor of the skyscraper is allocated for the historical museum of Shanghai. His amazing interior and wax figures located inside very clearly and vividly reflect the life of local people. Genre episodes from real life are recreated by emeralds, agates, pearls, jade and jasper on a huge screen made of natural stone.

In each of the spheres, which are one of the main constructive elements, there are galleries and shops. In the lowest one, the "Space City" is functioning - an entertainment center, whose visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of science fiction and assess what advanced technological achievements have made modern China. The middle part of the building is allocated for a business hotel complex, which includes conference rooms and 25 rooms. Above the second sphere is the restaurant "Pearl of the East", which is the highest institution of its kind in Asia. Another of its features is that it rotates around its own axis (one revolution per hour). The third sphere is set at an altitude of 267 meters. It is used mainly in the form of a viewing platform. Together with this there is a concert hall, a club and shops.

Functional purpose

Like other television towers of the world, the "Oriental Pearl" primarily should provide television and radio broadcasting. With this task, she copes flawlessly. At present, it broadcasts the broadcasts of nine TV channels and ten radio stations. The signal propagation radius is about 44 miles.

Immediately after its erection, the tower became the main symbol of the city. In this regard, no wonder the huge tourist importance of the skyscraper, which attracts an average of 2.8 million travelers a year. For visitors inside the optimal conditions are created: there is a museum, shops, souvenir shops, restaurants and other institutions that allow for a great leisure time.

The highest viewing platform

As already noted above, the Shanghai Tower has several viewing platforms. The highest of them is at the level of 360 meters. Unforgettable impressions can be obtained even from the very process of ascent. Only three elevators from six functioning here are lifted here. Two of them are able to transport at the same time no more than 30 people. Their speed is 7 m / s. The last of the elevators, called the space module, is two-story and develops 4 m / s. Two of its decks can hold 50 passengers in total.

From the highest point, a unique, breathtaking view of the city of Shanghai opens. As evidenced by the reviews of tourists, it is much more beautiful than the metropolis looks in the evening. At the same time, it should be noted that, with clear and clear weather, the Yangtze River can be well seen .

Interesting Facts

The cost of entrance ticket, giving the right to visit all the observation platforms on the tower, is 200 yuan.

When visiting a building, it is forbidden to carry not only stabbing and cutting objects, but also water and lighters.

Initially, the Shanghai Tower was to be executed in a pale green color. Later, designers rejected this idea due to the fact that the city itself is bright and dynamic. In other words, the building would have looked dull and lost on its background.

Depending on the time of day, the color of the building can vary from light pink to pearly, and at night its illumination turns on.

All six elevators are accompanied by female flight attendants.

When riding an elevator you can just look at the ceiling. There is a monitor that broadcasts the movie about the rise to the height.