Shanghai Tower

Shanghai, China

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Shanghai Tower is a spiraling marvel of glass and steel that pierces the clouds above Shanghai’s Lujiazui financial district. Soaring to 632 meters (2,073 feet), it’s the tallest building in China and the third tallest in the world. Designed by Gensler and completed in 2015, the tower’s twisting form isn’t just for show—it reduces wind loads by 24%, making it both elegant and aerodynamic.

Inside, it’s a vertical city. The tower houses offices, luxury retail, cultural spaces, and the J Hotel, the world’s highest hotel, occupying floors 86 to 98. The “Top of Shanghai” Observatory on the 118th and 119th floors offers jaw-dropping 360° views of the city from 546 meters up.

You’ll get there via one of the world’s fastest elevators, which rockets upward at 18 meters per second. But Shanghai Tower isn’t just about height—it’s a beacon of sustainability. With a double-skin façade, sky gardens, and LEED Platinum certification, it’s one of the most eco-conscious skyscrapers ever built.