Shanghai World Financial Center in Shanghai

Since people have the opportunity to build skyscrapers, they are engaged in this indefatigably. Architects of all countries strive to design and erect a building that would break all records. One of such giants is the Shanghai World Financial Center. It is also called "the miracle of China." And this is really so, because at the first glance at the photo you can see the beauty of the skyscraper, and the aesthetic side has a big significance in the full-fledged shape of the city.

Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) is the fourth tallest building in the world, which is inferior to the legendary Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Abraj al-Baitu in Mecca and Taipei in Taiwan. It is also worth noting that China is developing in every way in the direction of building skyscrapers. And already now it can form a healthy competition for the leader in this issue - the UAE.

Design and construction history of SWFC

Shanghai Chinese World Financial Center began to build Chinese in late summer 1997. However, in the following year, the construction of the skyscraper slowed due to the financial crisis. Thus, the project was extended for 10 years. Active funding resumed only in 2003. Then they started the interior decoration of the premises, which took 12 months. Initially, the planned construction of a 460-meter building in 94 floors. But in 2003 the project revised and adjusted these figures to 492 and 101, respectively.

In 2005, they again amended the previously developed construction plan. This time, it was the "window" at the top of the skyscraper. Now, as you can see, it has a trapezoidal shape, but was originally round, 46 m in diameter. The revision of the project this time insisted the Chinese themselves, including the Mayor of Shanghai. Running a little forward, we note that the erected skyscraper - Shanghai World Financial Center - the Japanese construction company Mori Building Corporation. And it was a kind of a commemoration of the renewal of friendly relations between the two countries. But still, the Mayor of Shanghai refused the round "window" in the skyscraper, because he believed that it resembles the rising sun - the symbolism of Japan. So I had to do it trapezoidal shape. This concurred, especially since such changes have benefited: the project's amount has decreased and its implementation has become simpler.

The investment company wanted to install a spire on the building so that the SWFC could break the record of the Taiwan tower. However, the developer and architect categorically rejected this idea. Perhaps they had their own reasons, but in the comments the authors of the project said that for SWFC there are enough existing sizes to be a beautiful and majestic skyscraper. Shanghai World Financial Center, the date of construction of which falls for 2008, on the whole has a previously planned height and number of storeys. Its total internal area is almost 378 thousand square meters. It is also equipped with 33 escalators and 31 high-speed elevators.

Features of the financial center and security measures

The main feature of the skyscraper is that it can withstand an earthquake of 7 points. The necessary checks were carried out, which document this fact. In order to increase the stability of the building, two shock absorbers were equipped under the observation platforms.

Every twelfth floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center is protected. That is 12, 24, 36 and so on. They are designed to protect people during a fire or other emergency before the rescuers arrive. The floors have reinforced reinforced concrete frame, dividing the structure into sections and increasing its strength. The introduction of this type of protection in the project increased the total cost of the skyscraper by 200 million US dollars. But considering that the terrorist attack in New York, when the Twin Towers were destroyed, occurred during the SWFC construction period, the Japanese designers, unwilling to repeat the sad experience of the Americans, decided to do everything to protect citizens as much as possible from possible threats.

Also there are elevators installed on the sides of the building, and a ladder, again, protected. In the event of a terrorist attack or other unforeseen circumstances threatening the lives of people, they will be able to take advantage of all this for their salvation.

Records SWFC

Shanghai World Financial Center has not received the title of the highest building in the world. But he has other achievements, no less pleasant:

1. The title of "The best skyscraper of the world" (2008).
2. The owner of the highest observation platform in the world. It is located at a level of 472 meters above the ground.

"Building-opener": why do you need such an unusual window on top?

Shanghai World Financial Center, whose height is exactly with this "window" is 492 m, in the people nicknamed "opener" for the bizarre shape. However, the designers did not seek to recreate a copy of the kitchen item. In fact, a trapezoidal hole is necessary to reduce the air resistance.

What is inside the SWFC?

The underground part of the skyscraper is a three-story garage for parking cars, and from 1 to 5 levels there are a variety of shops, a conference center and banquet rooms. From 7 to 77 levels are office spaces that are rented by many Chinese (and not only) popular companies specializing in different types of activities. For example, Shanghai World Financial Center (photo above) includes the office of Tomson Group Ltd. In general, the very name of the skyscraper speaks of its purpose - an office building. But it is artfully "diluted" by other institutions, which does not spoil the structure in terms of the development of the city.

But the center Striking most, is the presence in the skyscraper of a huge respectable hotel called Park Hyatt Shanghai. It occupies many floors (79-93) and has 174 rooms and suites. In general, no less than 12 thousand people work here. This is the staff of the center (Shanghai World Financial Culture & Media Center), shops, restaurants, hotel, staff building, security and so on.

Shanghai World Financial Center: address

The skyscraper is located in the main and rapidly developing metropolis of China - Shanghai. It was built in the business district of Pudong City, Shiji Dadao Street, 100. Admission is free for citizens and tourists, but visiting the viewing platforms is possible only after paying the entrance ticket.

Visit SWFC to see the city

The best opportunity to consider all the charms of Shanghai is to climb one of the observation platforms of the Shanghai World Financial Center. There are 3 of them:

1. On the 94th floor (423 m).
2. On the 97th floor (439 m).
3. On the 100th floor is the Observatory-Most, located at an altitude of 474 m above the ground.

Anywhere enhanced security measures are designed. The cost of the visit ranges from 120 to 150 yuan: the higher you climb, the more expensive it will be. Children and pensioners are offered discounts. Working hours: from 8:00 to 23 hours.

Shanghai World Financial Center: reviews of tourists

This skyscraper in China - a unique architectural creation, which has an unusual and attractive appearance, although it does not have any special form. He's just beautiful. When going on a trip to China, you need to visit Shanghai to climb to the very top of the World Financial Center and explore this beautiful metropolis with its many skyscrapers that have not yet caught up with the height of the Shanghai World Financial Center. But together they form a surprisingly beautiful picture of a big city.

Tourists who have already been here, recommend visiting the center in Shanghai in the evening, when it will be dark. And do not spare money to climb to the upper observation deck. Time flies by unnoticed. The chance to once again to visit here can no longer be, and those impressions that will present a panoramic view, will remain in memory for life.