Shanghai Tower: 120 floor Highest restaurant in the world

Shanghai Tower’s 120th floor feels unreal. This experience centers on a Guinness World Record restaurant set high above the city, 556.36 meters up, with a set luxury meal and top-tier views. I love the best viewpoint in Shanghai feeling you get up there, and I also love that your lunch is built around a proper menu, not just snacks. The one catch: the cocktail stop is great, but extras like spirits may cost extra, and the bar view may not cover a full 360 degrees.

For $250 per group up to 2, in about 2.5 hours, you get a private setup with an English or Chinese host or greeter, plus skip-the-line access via a separate entrance. Just plan on reserving at least a day ahead and checking your email for elevator guidance.

Key points before you go

• Guinness record at 556.36 meters: the restaurant is claimed as the tallest in a building
• Shanghai Tower scale: 632 meters tall, 127 floors above ground, 5 below, and a landmark in Lujiazui
• 2.5-hour private experience: sightseeing, sunset time, then a cocktail moment
• Lunch is a set menu: five blessing snacks plus dishes like truffle fresh abalone and catfish, seasonal vegetables, golden rice
• Skip-the-line entry: you use a separate entrance for faster access
• English or Chinese support: host or greeter, with wheelchair access

Shanghai Tower Tianzhijin: why the 120th floor matters

Shanghai Tower is not just tall. It is engineered to be a destination. The building rises to 632 meters, with 127 floors above ground and 5 floors underground. That scale matters because it changes how the city looks: instead of “standing in a street scene,” you see Shanghai as a grid of light, lanes of traffic far below, and layers of buildings fading into distance.

The big headline is the restaurant. Shanghai Tower Tianzhijin Restaurant is listed with a Guinness World Record for the tallest restaurant in a building, at an absolute height of 556.36 meters from the ground. The record is a big deal because it also signals that they expect attention. You are not going for a quick bite and leaving. You are going for the setting as part of the meal.

And the 120th floor location is a sweet spot. It is high enough for dramatic skyline views, but it is still close enough to feel like a real dining experience rather than a far-off observation deck. You will treat the time like a long lunch with scenery, not like a rushed ticket ride.

Meeting at Lujiazui and the smooth ride upward

You meet at Shanghai Tower, 501 Yincheng Middle Rd, Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai. This is right where you want to be for views, since Lujiazui is the area built for skyscrapers and wide open sightlines.

One practical perk is the skip-the-line arrangement. You enter through a separate entrance, which usually means less wandering, fewer queues, and a quicker move to elevator access. Before you go, you will get a confirmation email with elevator guidance. Do not ignore it. At this kind of height, the logistics matter because everything runs on timed flow.

Another practical note: the restaurant requires reservations, so you should book this product at least one day in advance. The whole point is getting your meal at the set location, at the right time for sightseeing and sunset.

Lunch spread: what you actually get for $250

Let’s talk value in plain terms. This is priced at $250 per group up to 2, and the duration is 2.5 hours. That price covers a luxury lunch on the 120th floor plus a set menu and two cups of tea.

If you have two people sharing the group price, the meal works out to a reasonable amount for a fine-dining level experience in one of the world’s highest restaurants. If you are coming alone, you might feel the cost more, because the group pricing is built for couples.

Here is what the included menu includes:

• Five blessing snacks
• Matsutake meat ball
• Crab powder tofu, jade hibiscus
• Spicy crispy beef ball
• Truffle fresh abalone and catfish
• Seasonal vegetables
• Golden rice
• Fruit and snacks
• Two cups of tea

A few of these items tell you what style of dining to expect: a sequence of small-to-medium plates, with a focus on seafood and refined flavors. Truffle fresh abalone and catfish is the kind of dish that signals you are getting more than “standard restaurant Cantonese.” The five blessing snacks and the repeated “ball” items also suggest playful presentation, not just heavy courses.

Also, tea is included. That matters because at places like this, the drinks menu can be tempting, and the cost can move fast once you start ordering beyond what is included.

Sightseeing during the ascent and the sunset window

Your experience includes sightseeing and also a sunset stop. That combination is where the memory usually gets made. Midday views can be sharp, but sunset is when the city turns cinematic. Even if weather is hazy, the light changes your whole sense of the skyline.

From the 120th floor, you should expect expansive views across Shanghai. The experience is described as one of the best viewpoints in the city, and that tracks with the height. You will have that “from above” feeling, where you can see the city structure rather than just individual buildings.

How to make your time work:

• If you care about light and color, show up ready and do not let the first part of your meal start too late.
• Bring something simple for photos, and set expectations that the experience is dining first, viewing second.
• If you are the type who likes to look around calmly, you will appreciate the 2.5-hour pace. It gives you time to settle in rather than snapping pictures and rushing out.

One caution from past diners is that not every part of the venue gives a full 360-degree panorama. That does not ruin the experience, but it does mean you should not assume every corner of the bar is equally wide-open.

Cocktail time: enjoy the bar, but watch for add-ons

The itinerary includes a cocktail moment after sightseeing and sunset. Even so, the included items are clearly set around lunch and tea. The menu lists tea twice, and it lists the food courses. That is your anchor.

So here is how I’d handle it to avoid surprise spending: treat cocktails and spirits as extra unless you confirm what is included at the time of ordering. One diner lesson is that spirits were not included with their package, even though the setting was gorgeous. Another lesson is that the view from the bar might not cover the full panorama you expect.

Translation for you: if cocktails are part of your plan, pick one drink you really want, enjoy the atmosphere, and keep an eye on what is charged. The goal is to enjoy the moment, not to regret it after the bill.

Also, the bar is likely the best place to linger. Just remember that the wider the view you want, the more you should focus on how the room is laid out and where you are seated.

Service, pace, and what private means here

This is set up as a private group, and your host or greeter speaks English and Chinese. That is useful if you want quick help with the flow of the meal and timing of the sightseeing parts. It also tends to make the whole experience feel calmer. You are not navigating the group chaos of a big crowd tour.

The total duration is 2.5 hours. That is long enough to eat comfortably and still have time for sunset atmosphere. It is not so long that you feel stuck. In my view, this is a sweet spot for people who want a skyline “wow” without turning the day into a half-day chore.

Wheelchair access is listed, which is a big plus for travelers who need accessibility planning. If you have mobility needs, you should still confirm any specific route details with the provider, but the activity is stated as wheelchair accessible.

Price and logistics: where this tour really fits

At $250 per group up to 2, this is not a budget ticket. It is a value play for the right kind of traveler.

This setup fits you if:

• You want a high-end meal in one of the tallest restaurant spaces in the world.
• You care about skyline views and want to time part of the experience around sunset.
• You prefer private pacing and separate-entry convenience over big group lines.
• You want a set menu so the meal part is straightforward, with tea included.

This setup might not fit you if:

• You want all drinks included, including spirits. The included tea is clear, but additional bar items can cost extra.
• You are obsessed with an all-around 360-degree view from every angle. Some sections may not deliver the full panoramic coverage.

Who should book Shanghai Tower Tianzhijin

If you are visiting Shanghai for the first time, this is a strong “big building, big moment” choice. You get a landmark experience tied to the building itself, and the meal is a real dining event with multiple courses.

Couples often love it because the private group format and set-menu lunch feel like a planned date. Foodies will like the mix of refined seafood and the more specific dishes like truffle fresh abalone and catfish.

Families can sometimes enjoy it too, but the information provided is framed around a luxury lunch format. If you have kids who get impatient, check whether the 2.5-hour dining pace will work for your family rhythm.

Should you book this? My practical decision guide

Book it if you want a luxury lunch with skyline views and you are okay treating cocktails as potential add-ons. The Guinness record height and the set menu make this more than a “ticket to look around.” You are buying a meal experience in a dramatically high setting, with time built in for sunset.

Skip or compare if your top priority is cheapest price or unlimited drinks. Also consider comparing viewpoint options if you are specifically chasing a full 360 panorama from the exact place you will be sitting.

If you do book, do these two things to get the best outcome: reserve at least one day ahead, and read your confirmation email for the elevator guidance. That small step is what helps everything feel smooth once you arrive.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Shanghai Tower, 501 Yincheng Middle Rd, Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai.

How long does the experience last?

The duration is 2.5 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is $250 per group up to 2.

What is included in the luxury lunch?

The included lunch menu includes five blessing snacks, Matsutake meat ball, crab powder tofu (jade hibiscus), spicy crispy beef ball, truffle fresh abalone and catfish, seasonal vegetables, golden rice, fruit and snacks, and two cups of tea.

Is tea included?

Yes, two cups of tea are included with the menu.

Do I need a reservation?

Yes. The restaurant requires reservations, so you should book at least one day in advance.

Do you skip the line?

Yes. You use a separate entrance for skip-the-line access.

What languages are available for the host or greeter?

The host or greeter offers English and Chinese.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.