Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai

Opened in 1994, Shanghai’s favorite vintage tower design – 11 red and gold spheres pierced by a silver column supporting a glass elevator – was inspired by a Chinese poem describing “large and small pearls dropping on a plate of jade.” Located in Pudong, the top sphere holds the tallest observation deck with a glass overlook; other spheres have views over the Huangpu River toward the classic Bund, a revolving restaurant and the interesting Shanghai Municipal History Museum at its base. #themeparks#nationalpark