Yan Zhou
You're standing at the base of the Oriental Pearl Tower, camera ready, gazing up at those iconic pink spheres. But beyond the observation decks and the glass-floored walkway, there's a whole other world inside this Shanghai landmark: shopping. I've lost count of how many times I've been up there, often with visiting friends in tow, and I can tell you the shopping experience is a mixed bag. It's not just a cluster of generic gift shops. Done right, you can find genuinely memorable items. Done wrong, you'll walk away with overpriced trinkets and a sense of regret. This guide cuts through the noise. I'll show you exactly what's worth your money, where to find it inside the tower, and where to look just outside its shadow for better deals and more unique finds.
What's Inside This Guide
Why Shop at the Oriental Pearl Tower?
Let's be honest. You don't come here for a mall experience. The primary draw is the novelty. Buying a souvenir inside the Pearl Tower itself carries a story. "I got this from the 263-meter observation deck" sounds better than "I got this at the airport." The selection is curated, albeit heavily tourist-focused. You'll find items themed specifically to Shanghai and the tower that you simply won't see in the cheaper markets elsewhere. It's about convenience, too. After your visit, you can grab a memento without going anywhere else. But the biggest reason I recommend a browse? The quality control. While prices are higher, the trinkets are generally sturdier than the absolute bottom-tier junk sold on Nanjing Road. You're paying for the location and a slightly better guarantee that your snow globe won't leak on the flight home.
A quick reality check: The tower shops are not for bargain hunters. If your sole mission is to get the cheapest possible Shanghai magnets, take the metro to Yu Garden or the Shanghai Old Street. The Pearl Tower is for those who value the experience and context of their purchase as much as the item itself.
What Can You Buy Inside the Tower?
Shopping is spread across different levels, and what you find changes with altitude. I've found the best concentration is on the main lobby level (the big hall where you buy tickets) and the upper spheres.
The Main Lobby & Ticketing Floor Shops
This is your first and last chance. Several medium-sized stores flank the entrance and exit areas. They stock the broadest range. Expect to see:
- Tower-themed everything: This is the heart of it. Crystal models of the tower, snow globes with the tower inside, keychains, pens, postcards. The craftsmanship on the crystal and glass models can be quite good.
- General Shanghai souvenirs: Silk scarves with Shanghai skyline prints, painted fans, miniature Chinese opera masks, and blue-and-white porcelain style items.
- Higher-end gifts: Some shops have sections for jewelry (often pearls, fittingly) and jade carvings. Tread carefully here unless you know your gems.
The exit shop, in particular, is strategically placed. It's where they get you when you're buzzing from the view and your willpower is low. I've bought more than one impulsive magnet there.
The Shops in the Upper Spheres (263m & 350m)
These are smaller, more boutique-like. The selection is narrower but often more unique. At the 263-meter main observation deck, there's usually a small counter selling exclusive, higher-quality items. I've seen beautiful art books featuring Shanghai photography, limited-edition commemorative coins, and elegant silk boxes. The prices reflect the exclusivity.
The 350-meter "Space Module" level sometimes has a tiny shop with space-themed toys and gadgets—think mini astronaut figurines and glowing orbs. It's gimmicky but fun for kids.
Pro Tip from a Local: Don't buy heavy items at the top. You have to carry them all the way back down. If you see something you love on an upper floor, make a mental note and check if it's available in the larger lobby shops on your way out. It often is, and you'll save yourself the hassle.
My Top Picks for Souvenirs and Gifts
After countless visits, here’s what I think is actually worth the money and shelf space back home.
- The Crystal Tower Model: Yes, it's cliché. But the clear, laser-cut crystal models that catch the light are genuinely pretty. They range from small, palm-sized ones to large, impressive paperweights. Get one with a built-in LED light base if you can—it looks spectacular on a shelf at night.
- Shanghai Skyline Silk Scarf: The ones inside the tower use better quality silk than many street vendors. The print is sharp, featuring a tasteful artistic rendering of the Bund and Pudong. It's a wearable, useful souvenir.
- Commemorative Postcard Set & Stamps: Buy them at the top, stamp them with the special Oriental Pearl Tower postmark available at the counters, and mail them right from the tower's own mailbox. It’s a classic, personal touch that digital photos can't replace.
- Local Food Gifts: Look for nicely packaged boxes of Shanghai-style candied nuts or green tea from nearby Zhejiang province. They're easy to transport and offer a taste of the region. Avoid the generic "Chinese sweets" boxes.
What to skip? The mass-produced plush toys (unless for a very young child) and the cheap metal keychains that tarnish in a month. The "I ♥ SH" t-shirts are also of mediocre quality; you'll find better ones in Tianzifang.
Shopping Outside the Tower: The Immediate Vicinity
Once you exit the tower complex, your shopping options expand dramatically. The Lujiazui area is Shanghai's financial heart, but it caters to tourists and affluent locals alike.
The Super Brand Mall: This is the giant mall directly across the circular pedestrian overpass from the Pearl Tower. It's a full-scale, modern Chinese mall. Head here for:
- International & Chinese brand clothing: Zara, Uniqlo, local brands like Li-Ning.
- Electronics: A large Suning store for gadgets.
- Food courts and supermarkets: In the basement, a great place to grab a casual meal or pick up snacks and drinks. The City'super grocery store is excellent for premium imported and local foods to take back to your hotel.
Shanghai IFC Mall & Shanghai Tower Mall: A short walk west will bring you to these ultra-luxury malls (near the Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Center). This is where you'll find Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dior, and other high-end brands. The architecture and atmosphere are an experience in themselves.
The Hidden Gem: Walk along the Binjiang Avenue (the riverside promenade) towards the Shanghai International Cruise Terminal. On weekend afternoons, you might find small, temporary art and craft markets set up, where local designers sell handmade jewelry and prints. It's hit or miss, but you can find truly unique items.
How to Plan Your Shopping Trip
A little strategy makes a big difference. Here’s a practical breakdown.
| Aspect | Details & Advice |
|---|---|
| Best Time to Shop | Weekday mornings are least crowded. Avoid Chinese national holidays (Golden Week in October, Spring Festival) at all costs—the shops are packed. Evening visits offer a nice vibe with the tower lit up, but the upper sphere shops may have limited selection. |
| Payment Methods | All major shops accept AliPay, WeChat Pay, and international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard). Cash (RMB) is also fine but less convenient. Street vendors outside will prefer mobile pay or cash. |
| Budgeting | Set a souvenir budget. Small items (keychains, magnets): 30-80 RMB. Medium items (crystal models, scarves): 150-400 RMB. High-end items (jade, art books): 500 RMB+. Mall shopping outside varies wildly. |
| Getting Your Purchases Home | Shops provide bags. For fragile items like crystal, ask for extra bubble wrap (paomodian). The mall department stores often offer professional packing services for delicate goods. |
| Tower Entry & Shopping | You DO NOT need a ticket to the observation decks to access the main lobby shops. You can enter the tower's ground floor lobby freely. Only the shops in the spheres require an observation deck ticket. |
One more thing I learned the hard way: wear comfortable shoes. You'll be doing a lot of standing and walking, both in the tower and navigating the sprawling plazas and malls outside.
Your Shopping Questions Answered
Can I bargain at the Oriental Pearl Tower shops?
Almost never. The shops inside the tower are fixed-price retail outlets, much like any museum gift shop in the West. You might get a small discount if you buy multiple items—it doesn't hurt to ask politely, "Any discount for three?"—but don't expect the haggling culture of a street market. Outside, with independent vendors near the riverside, there might be some flexibility.
What's the one souvenir most tourists overlook but is actually great?
The official commemorative stamp and postmark. Everyone takes photos, but few take the time to send a physical postcard from the tower. There's a designated mailbox, and the postmark features a tiny drawing of the Pearl Tower. It's a piece of functional history that costs very little. The staff at the postcard counter are usually happy to show you how it works.
I'm short on time. Which single shop has the best overall selection?
Head to the largest shop on the ground floor lobby, near the exit turnstiles. It's usually the most well-stocked with a mix of tower models, Shanghai-themed gifts, and food items. You can cover 80% of the tower-specific souvenir options there in 15 minutes. It's my go-to when I'm guiding time-pressed visitors.
Are the prices in the Super Brand Mall different from other city malls?
For chain stores (Zara, Uniqlo, H&M), the prices are standardized nationwide. You won't pay a "tourist tax." For the food court and supermarket, prices are normal for a high-end mall in central Shanghai. Where you might see a mark-up is in the small kiosks selling souvenirs inside the mall itself—they're still cheaper than the tower but pricier than Yu Garden.
Is it worth going to the Pearl Tower just to shop?
If you have zero interest in the views, then no. The shopping inside, while decent, isn't a destination unto itself. However, if you're already in Lujiazui to see the skyscrapers, popping into the tower's lobby shops for 20-30 minutes is absolutely worth it. Combine it with a visit to the Super Brand Mall across the street, and you have a satisfying half-day shopping and sightseeing circuit.
The Oriental Pearl Tower shopping scene is a microcosm of Shanghai itself: modern, convenient, slightly pricey, and full of surprises if you know where to look. It’s more than a pitstop; it’s the final chapter of your visit to the landmark. Focus on items that capture the memory of the place, don't be afraid to explore the immediate area, and you'll leave with something far better than a generic trinket.
This guide is based on personal, repeated visits and observations. Details like shop layouts and specific product availability can change, but the core principles and locations remain consistent.
No comments yet.