China · VIEWPOINTS & OBSERVATION DECKS
The 15 best viewpoints & observation decks tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Visit Shanghai Tower’s Top of Shanghai observation deck on floors 118 and 119, with optional access to floors 125 and 126 and the musical light show. PANDA144 handles the booking, but you must send your passport name and number in advance. Choose daylight for river views or evening for glowing city lights.
“We went in the evening and had amazing views of the city lights at night time.”
Walk Hong Kong Island with a licensed guide such as Joe, Amy, Grace, Monica, or Gary. See Tai Kwun, PMQ, Cat Street, Man Mo Temple, and Sheung Wan, then eat dim sum with an egg tart and tea or coffee. Depending on your option, add the Peak Tram and Star Ferry.
“Monica was very knowledgeable about HK history bringing each location to life. The stories about the history of the food shops was fantastic. Great introduction to HK for a quick stopover or to begin a more thorough journey.”
Enjoy a 3 to 4-hour private evening tour with hotel pickup, a driver, English-speaking guide, VIP seating on the Huangpu River cruise, and optional entry to Shanghai Tower’s 118th-floor deck. Guides such as Cassie, Lucy, Lea, Roy, and Annie are praised for clear explanations and helpful photos. Dinner is optional and served at a local restaurant.
“The experience was excellent. Lucy was an excellent tour guide. The food was amazing. 100% recommended!”
Spend about six hours seeing Hong Kong from Victoria Peak to Man Mo Temple, Hollywood Road, Tai Kwun, and Victoria Harbour. Your guide handles transport, Peak Tram tickets, and directions. Choose a Tim Ho Wan meal with 10 dim sum dishes. Afternoon departures add a 45-minute sunset cruise. Guides such as Simon, Ricky, Rex, and Ken are noted for clear organization and friendly commentary.
“Excellent day with Simon. We covered so much and I met fabulous ppl. So glad we were guided and had transportation point to point. The lunch at Tim Ho was a highlight and I highly recommend!”
Pre-book entry to Shanghai Tower and show the required QR code at the entrance. You will ride one of the world’s fastest elevators at 18 meters per second, visit the 125th and 126th floors, and look across Shanghai from China’s highest building. Plan for one to three hours. No guide or transport is included.
“A great view from the top of Shanghai. Very enjoyable and unforgettable experience. Will definitely recommend to friends and colleagues.”
You’ll enter Shanghai Tower at 501 Yincheng Middle Road, ride the 65 km/h elevator to the 118th-floor observation deck, then eat on the 119th floor. Choose afternoon tea, weekend lunch, or dinner. The $85 package includes entry to both floors, with a meal, soft drink, and wine included for lunch and dinner.
“A beautiful city. The view from the observation deck is very impressive. The meal was also nice. We did enjoy our meal with a very nice view.”
Spend two to four hours seeing Guangzhou after dark with a private English-speaking guide. Depending on your package, you can visit Canton Tower’s 108th-floor observation deck, take a VIP top-deck Pearl River cruise, walk Huacheng Square, and enjoy Cantonese dim sum. Guides such as Damon and Zack can also help shape the evening around your interests.
“This tour was amazing! First we had wonderful dim zum at a traditional tea house and later we walked around the city to see the beautiful bridge and the Guanzhou tower. It was definitely worth it!”
Visit Shanghai Tower in Pudong and ride its ultra-high-speed elevator to the 118th-floor observation deck, 546 meters above the ground. You get panoramic views of Shanghai, admission to the Tourism Hall, and souvenirs at the B2 Shanghai Tower Collection. No named guide is provided, but Chinese and English assistance is listed.
“A fost o experienta sa urcam cu liftul super rapid. Ne-am.bucurat de view 180 grade si am.primit.si cadouri la iesire.”
Ride the historic Victoria Peak Tram from Central to The Peak, then head to Sky Terrace 428 for wide views over Hong Kong, Victoria Harbour, and the surrounding hills. Choose a one-way or return tram ticket with terrace entry. Allow three to four hours, and go early for shorter queues.
“The team was quite an experience with a very stale gradient, provided good views as we climbed to top. The observation deck was good too for more views of Hong Kong.”
You’ll explore Shanghai by private car with a local guide, visiting Yu Garden Bazaar, Shanghai Tower, and the Huangpu River. Lunch or dinner includes Shanghai favorites such as soup dumplings and red-braised pork. Guides such as Kalvin, Snow, Alana, and Charlie have been praised for clear English, local insight, and family-friendly help.
“We had an amazing tour with our guide Alana yesterday. She is a enthusiastic and professional guide. She arrived at our hotel before picking up time and she’s knowledgeable to answer any questions we asked. We appreciated her guide. We will recommend her to our friends when they visit to Shanghai. Thanks Alana!”
Visit Shanghai’s 468-meter Oriental Pearl Tower with a phone QR code, then see the city from the 263-meter gallery and 259-meter transparent observatory. Three-ball tickets may include the 351-meter Space Capsule. Add the revolving buffet for city views over Western food and seafood. No guide or transport is provided.
“Easy to book tickets in advance for this attraction when visiting Shanghai. The views are incredible when weather permitted.”
Visit Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower at your own pace with a 2-sphere or 3-sphere ticket. See the city from 263 m, step onto the 259 m glass floor, watch the Updating City media show, and visit the Shanghai History Museum. The 3-sphere option adds express entry and the Space Capsule at 351 m. A digital English PDF guide is included.
“Terrible experience. They are not organized in the least, given the large influx of people who show up. It almost seemed to suffocate people so much! Tickets should be sold with the schedules so that people can stagger in the various time slots. You couldn’t even walk, you were crushed! Terrible”
Visit Guangzhou’s Canton Tower on a self-guided ticket with access options at 433m, 450m, or 488m. See the Pearl River through indoor glass walkways, step onto an open-air deck, or add the Crystal Ferris Wheel. Bring your passport and use the correct e-voucher, since redemption instructions can vary.
“Incrivel! Foi o mais alto que já subi na vida e a vista de lá é de tirar o folego! Recomendo se vier a cidade!”
Visit Shanghai’s Bund with a private guide and door-to-door hotel transfers, then choose a 50-minute Huangpu River cruise or a Shanghai Tower observation visit. Guides such as Alana, Mary, Berlin, Queena, and Xin have helped guests make the most of short schedules, including early starts, night views, and easy pacing for older visitors.
“My experience has been AMAZING, Berlin has always been attentive and very knowledgeable. Worth every penny! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!”
Take Hong Kong’s famous Peak Tram up to The Peak Tower, then enjoy sweeping city, harbour, and sea views from Sky Terrace 428 if your ticket includes it. Allow 4 to 5 hours, bring photo ID, and check the weather before booking. Your ticket grade determines which attractions are included.
“Was not great due to bad weather. Could not see much. Tram was lovely. Restaurant food was too lovely.”
Pick a wall, a palace, a river or a kitchen.
