Lujiazui

Lujiazui

Shanghai Lujiazui
Shanghai Lujiazui

Lying on the east bank of Huangpu River and facing the Bund, Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone occupies 28 square kilometers (10.8 square miles) and is studded with around 100 high-rise buildings. Many are landmark buildings of Shanghai, making the area a great place to experience the modern flavor of this metropolis.

Often called the 'Wall Street of China', Lujiazui is the largest financial zone in mainland China, with more than 400 banks and financial institutions from both home and abroad, including HSBC, Citibank, and Standard Chartered Bank. In addition, it is home to the headquarters of over 70 international giants and about 5,000 companies engaged in trade, investment, and intermediary services. The sum of transactions in the Shanghai stock market ranks it the 2nd in the world only behind the New York Stock Exchange.
 

Shanghai Lujiazui
Morden Skyscrapers

Since the reform and opening-up policy carried out in 1978, Shanghai has enjoyed a great economic boom, and Lujiazui is gradually becoming more widely known. However, few know the origin of the name (Lu Jia Zui in Chinese), which literally means Lu family dwelling on a mouth-shaped alluvial beach. In fact, the name is associated with Lu Shen, a noted scholar of Imperial Academy in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). After Lu retired, he lived on this land until his death. Today, you can still find Lu Shen's calligraphy in Shanghai Museum. His former residence and family cemetery are located in this area.

In Lujiazui, the charm of the city as an international metropolis is unfolded to the largest degree. One can admire the modern skyscrapers along Binjiang Avenue as well as various buildings of different architectural styles across the Huangpu River. The four tallest landmarks of the city - the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Shanghai Tower are constructed next to each other. When night comes, all the buildings are decorated with shining colorful lights, presenting a gorgeous scene before your eyes. The Bund, facing this financial zone across the river, is the most wonderful place to enjoy the night view.
 Oriental Pearl Tower, measuring 468 meters (1,536 feet) in height, has three viewing floors. An exhibition hall, demonstrating the history of the city, is at the base of the tower. The lower sphere has a viewing hall at a height of 90 meters (295 feet), providing a wonderful position to see the Bund and the graceful scenery along the Huangpu River. Visitors can also have a panoramic view of the whole city on the transparent observatory at 259 meters (850 feet) or the Capsule Sightseeing Floor at 351 meters (1,152 feet).
Pudong Nightpiece
Pudong Nightpiece
 
Jin Mao Tower, with a height of 420.5 meters (1,380 feet), is also a good place to view the city. The superfast elevator takes only 45 seconds to take visitors from the basement to the viewing hall on the 88th floor, providing visitors magnificent metropolitan cityscapes along Huangpu River, and views of the distinctive rosy dawn and sunset.
 As the tallest flat-roof building in the world, it is 492 meters (1,614 feet) high with 101 stories. Sightseeing area occupies storeys from the 94th to the 100th floor. The viewing hall on the 100th floor is at a height of 474 meters (1,555 feet). The sightseeing bridge on the 97th floor seems to be constructed in the air. It would give you an illusion that you are wandering in the sky.
 At present, it is the tallest building in China, measuring 632 meters (2,073 feet) in height. The exterior of the building spirals upward to the top with one degree twist per storey to reduce the wind effect.
 

Central Parkland

Lujiazui Central Parkland
Central Parkland
Apart from the grand architectural complex, there is a parcel of parkland in the core area of the financial zone, infusing a bit of natural beauty into the busy city. Covering an area of 100,000 square meters (25 acres), it is the largest open lawn in the city, and is nicknamed as 'a green lung in the city'. The parkland is adorned by exquisite sculptures, rockeries, and pools. Weeping willows, magnolia trees, maidenhair trees, cedars and other trees are seen throughout the grassland, injecting vitality to the area. In contrast with the busy life style there, the quiet park is a good place to relax.

 

How to get to Lujiazui?

 By metro
Take metro line 2, and get off at Lujiazui Station.

 By bus
1. Take bus Lujiazui Financial City Line 4, 81, 85, 313, 779, 798, or 992, and get off at Lujiazui Subway Station.
2. Take bus Lujiazui Financial City Line 1 or 3, 583, 870, 939, 961, 985, Pudong 100 or Pudong 62 and get off at Lujiazui Loop Line Mingshang Road Station.
4. Take City Sightseeing Bus Line 2, and get off at Dongfang Mingzhu (Oriental Pearl) Station.
Shanghai Bus / Metro Search

 Watch Lujiazui Video.
 

Further Reading:
 Where to Stay in Shanghai
15 Free Things to Do in Shanghai
 

- Last updated on Feb. 07, 2024 by Kate Liu -