The Oriental Pearl Tower rises in Lujiazui on the Pudong bank, and staying there puts you next to the tower and China’s most foreigner-friendly hotels. The trade-off is the view: from the Bund you watch it; from Lujiazui you stand beneath.
Where the tower actually is
The Oriental Pearl sits on the Pudong side of the Huangpu, in Lujiazui, the cluster of supertall towers that defines Shanghai’s modern face. The nearest Metro is Lujiazui on Line 2, a few minutes’ walk from the tower base. Across the river, The Bund and People’s Square are a short subway ride or a tunnel-crossing taxi away. So “near the tower” means Pudong, while “near the view of the tower” means the west bank — two distinct bases a river apart.
Unlike a sight you walk to from a city centre, the Pearl is best appreciated both up close and from across the water at dusk, which is why your hotel bank matters.
Lujiazui: under the tower
Staying in Lujiazui means international hotels — the big brands with reliable foreigner licences, card terminals that work, and concierges used to overseas guests. You are a walk from the Pearl, the Shanghai Tower, and the riverside promenade where you watch the light show reflect on the water. For a first Shanghai trip focused on the skyline, this is the plush, predictable base, and registration is the smoothest in the country here.
The downside is that Pudong’s Lujiazui is a business district: excellent hotels, but quieter and pricier after dark than the west bank, with fewer low-key local restaurants and more polished malls. You cross the river for the older city feel.
The Bund: across the river
The Bund, covered in our guide to where to stay near the Bund in Shanghai, is the west-bank strip of colonial buildings facing the Pearl. Staying there gives you the postcard view of the tower lit at night, plus walkable access to Nanjing Road and the old city. The hotels are also heavily foreigner-licensed and take cards without fuss, so you lose nothing on the compliance front — only on proximity to the tower’s base.
For many visitors the Bund is the more atmospheric base, because you get the skyline as a backdrop every evening rather than as a short walk, and you are closer to the classic Shanghai streets.
People’s Square and the centre
Between the river and the west, People’s Square and Nanjing Road are central, transit-rich bases a few Metro stops from Lujiazui. They are handy if you want the whole city, not just the tower, and the hotels there are reliably licensed too. They sit a bit further from the Pearl than either riverbank, so you trade some proximity for a more central launching point. Our 4-day Shanghai plan uses the centre as the hub for exactly this reason.
Comparing your bases
| Base | To Oriental Pearl | Foreigner licence reliability | Vibe | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lujiazui (Pudong) | At the tower | Very high | Modern, business | Tower-at-door, plush |
| The Bund (west) | Across river, 5 min Metro | Very high | Historic, views | Skyline backdrop |
| People’s Square | 3-4 stops | Very high | Central, transit | Whole-city base |
Licence status is strong across all three; Pudong and the Bund are the safest for a first foreign stay.
Getting to the tower
From Lujiazui you walk; from the Bund or People’s Square you take Line 2 across the river (or the pedestrian tunnel, a novelty ride under the Huangpu). Taxis cross the bridges or the tunnels, but the Metro is fastest at rush hour. Bring your passport: the tower ticket is tied to ID, and your hotel registers you on check-in regardless, under the same public-security rule that applies citywide.
Foreigner check-in in Pudong
Shanghai’s international hotels register foreign guests as routine, and Lujiazui’s brands are the gold standard — passport scan, done, no questions. Smaller west-bank boutiques are also fine but vary slightly, so confirm if you book an indie property. Our guide to passport registration at Chinese hotels explains the desk step, and for booking peace of mind our guide to foreigner-friendly hotels in China lists what to look for in a property that will take you and your card without friction.
Paying, cards, and the deposit
Pudong’s international hotels are where foreign cards work most reliably in China, deposits hold cleanly, and concierge can help with everything from SIM cards to train tickets. That is a real advantage for a first visitor. Our guide to hotel deposits for foreign guests covers the hold-and-return so you are not caught out, and it pairs well with our guide to using foreign credit cards at Chinese hotels if you want the card specifics before you book.
A one-day plan from a Lujiazui base
- Morning at the tower or Shanghai Tower observation deck.
- Midday riverside walk, lunch in a Lujiazui mall.
- Afternoon Metro to the Bund and Nanjing Road.
- Dusk back across the river for the light show from Pudong’s promenade.
This keeps the tower on your doorstep while still giving you the west-bank classics in a single day.
Best time of day at the tower
The Pearl lights up after dark, so the best view is from the Bund or the Pudong promenade at night, while the best up-close photos are by day from the base. From Lujiazui you are under it anytime; from the Bund you watch it glow. Either way, plan the river crossing for dusk, because the skyline show is the memory most visitors keep, and a riverside hotel makes that effortless.
Combining with the rest of Shanghai
Shanghai rewards a central or riverbank base more than a single-sight one, because the city is huge and the Pearl is one stop among many. Lujiazui or the Bund both work as a home; keep your hotel on a Line 2 or Line 1 axis so the whole map opens up. A Pudong base also puts you closer to the airport Maglev, which matters on departure day.
Family and accessibility notes
The tower and the skyline malls are elevator-rich and easy with strollers and wheelchairs, and Lujiazui’s hotels are the most accessible in the city. Pick a room with a river view for the kids’ wow factor, and confirm the observation-deck step situation at the desk. The Bund’s riverside is flat and strollable; avoid the tunnel novelty ride with very small children if queues are long. Carry the passport for every ticket and registration.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay in Lujiazui or on the Bund?
Lujiazui for the tower at your door; the Bund for the skyline view across the river. Both are foreigner-friendly.
How do I get from the Bund to the Oriental Pearl?
Line 2 across the river, a short taxi over a bridge, or the pedestrian tunnel; the Metro is fastest at rush hour.
Are Pudong hotels licensed for foreigners?
Yes, Lujiazui’s international brands are among the most reliably licensed and card-friendly in China.
Will my foreign card work in Lujiazui?
Very reliably — Pudong’s international hotels are where foreign cards work best in the country.
Do I need my passport at the tower?
Yes, the ticket is tied to your passport, and the hotel registers you on check-in regardless.
Is the Bund or Pudong better for first-time visitors?
Either works; the Bund gives more atmosphere and old-city access, Pudong more tower proximity and plush hotels.
How far is the tower from People’s Square?
About three to four Metro stops on Line 2, roughly 15 minutes, so the centre is an easy base too.
