THRILLING FOOTAGE OF THE TALLEST BUILDINGS IN SHANGHAI

Some of the world's tallest buildings can be found in Shanghai. As such, both tourists and enthusiasts of architecture are captivated by its expansive skyline. While visiting China, Josh Turner, a videographer from New England, set out to document the sweeping heights of Shanghai's skyscrapers.

The end product is a thrilling and disorienting bird's-eye view that is only achievable by a proficient drone pilot. The Shanghai Tower, the third-tallest structure in the world at 2,073 feet; the Shanghai World Financial Center, recognisable for its unusual "bottle opener" top; and the Jin Mao Tower, modeled after a tiered pagoda from traditional Chinese architecture, are the three tallest structures in Shanghai that are the subject of Turner's video. They are all ideally situated in the Pudong neighbourhood of Shanghai.

Turner's drone soars above the skyscrapers before swooping down their glass façades at breakneck speed in this video, so viewers who are afraid of heights might want to skip it. His astute framing captures details such as the sun beaming through the aperture at the top of Shanghai World Financial Center or the reflection of the Jin Mao Tower on its windows. However, the real treat is when the city lights turn on toward the end, showcasing the imaginative ways in which a very tall building can be lit up at night.

“I had the opportunity to visit Shanghai this past January (2024) and couldn't miss the chance to fly FPV around the 3 tallest towers in the city,” writes Turner. “Shanghai Tower stands at an impressive 632m (2,073ft) making it the tallest building in China and the 3rd tallest in the world behind the Burj Khalifa and Merdeka Tower. Shanghai Tower with the Shanghai World Financial Center (492m), and Jin Mao Tower (421m) dominate the city skyline. I also flew around the Oriental Pearl Tower and was able to catch the window washers who dangle by ropes every morning cleaning the glass. Enjoy!”