Mingzhu Roundabout — Local services in Shanghai

Welcome to the Mingzhu Roundabout, Shanghai’s answer to the question: “What if urban planning met Mario Kart?” Nestled beneath the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, this traffic circle is less of a roundabout and more of a philosophical experiment in human patience and centrifugal force.

Built in 1994, it was designed to let pedestrians cross without getting flattened by buses, but ended up being a tourist attraction of its own. The raised walkway forms a perfect ring of chaos control, where locals powerwalk like it’s the Olympics and tourists orbit endlessly trying to find the right exit. You’ll burn 0.0003 calories per lap, which means it only takes 3,000 rounds to justify that xiaolongbao binge.

By day, it’s a sleek metallic halo overlooking Pudong’s skyline. By night, it glows like a UFO landing pad built by IKEA. Look down and you’ll see taxis spinning below like confused electrons; look up, and there’s the Pearl Tower judging your life choices.

Pro tip: enter on the wrong side and you’ll discover the true meaning of “Shanghai Loop.” Bring a compass, a snack, and a sense of humor, you’ll...

Mingzhu Roundabout is an observation roundabout located in the middle of Shanghai's most important towers. It's a brilliantly designed place. At level "0" it is an ordinary roundabout for cars and other travelers (although definitely beautifully decorated with greenery and light decorations that make this place beautiful also in the evenings and at night) and it limits traffic well. However, the greatest charm for pedestrians can be found on level 1 - a promenade perfect for walks, relaxation and fantastic photos of the surrounding buildings. It is worth emphasizing that the surrounding infrastructure, such as shopping malls, stands, cafes and restaurants, are easily accessible, which makes Mingzhu Roundabout an ideal place for everyone to find something for themselves. This is the so-called the very center (on this side of the river) and many local cultural events take place in this area, which allows you to see many attractions in a relatively short time without the need for...

Built as part of the futuristic facelift of Pudong, this elevated circular walkway is basically the VIP pass to some of Shanghai’s biggest A-listers — the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Tower, and the whole glittering Lujiazui skyline. Instead of battling the traffic circus below, you get to float above it all, hopping off at different exits like you’re on your own urban treasure hunt.

Stroll a loop, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped right into a sci-fi movie — glass, steel, and skyscrapers all flexing their best angles for your camera. 📸

Tip: come at night when everything lights up and it’s basically Shanghai saying, “Look at me, I’m fabulous.”One of the best connecting roundabouts in the world — not just for crossing streets, but for getting...