I’ve always been fascinated by skyscrapers. At 7, I remember watching King Kong scale the Empire State Building onscreen and wishing I could do the same. Years later, during a trip to New York City, I took an elevator to the top of the World Trade Center and marveled at the helicopters and small planes flying below.
When I visited Shanghai last month, I had to see the city from the top of one of its landmark skyscrapers. I picked the 88-story Jin Mao Tower, home of The Grand Hyatt Shanghai hotel and one of the tallest buildings in China. A sign at the ticket window for the observation deck said “visibility poor,” but I decided to take my chances and paid 150 yuan ($24) for a ride to the top.
It turned out to be the worst 150 yuan I’ve ever spent. Clouds completely obscured the view. With nothing to see, I put down my camera and stared into the mist, wishing King Kong was around to part the clouds.
View from the observation deck, looking down into the lobby . This turned out to be the best view of the day.
The 88-story Jin Mao Tower is located next to the Shanghai World Financial Center (left).
The only blue skies I saw that day were in the elevator.
Visibility was less than 100 meters at the top.
Hey Jimmy,
Looks like the Chinese are great for building…maybe they will work on the environment next! blessings! Charlie
I certainly hope so. The pollution over the weekend was the worst I’ve seen since moving to Beijing.
It’s the price paid for a “money is everything” philosophy.
Or a progress “by any means necessary” philosophy.