Ping An Finance Centre
平安金融中心 · Píng'ān Jīnróng Zhōngxīn
Quick answer
Passport required at the gate. Tickets sold at the gate or pre-booked via the WeChat mini-program (平安金融中心). English signage throughout; staff at the main entrance speak basic English.
Why visit
- 1 599m — the second-tallest building in China (after Shanghai Tower) and the tallest in Shenzhen. The 116F observation deck at 547m offers 360° views of the city, the bay, and Hong Kong.
- 2 The fastest elevator in China — 10 m/s, 60 seconds from ground to 116F. The elevator has an LED ceiling display showing the height in real-time.
- 3 The 30 minutes around sunset are the magic hour — the sky goes from blue to orange to pink to purple while the city lights come on. The Hong Kong mountains are visible on a clear day, 60 km away.
- 4 Cloud Bar (云际酒吧) — the bar on the 116F observation level, with cocktails ¥80-150 and a 360° view. The highest bar in Shenzhen. Reservations recommended on weekends.
- 5 The free lobby is worth a quick visit even without a ticket — the world's largest stainless steel lobby wall, the 10-story atrium, and the 30m-tall LED installation 'Crystal' (水晶) are the Instagram spots.
Essential tips for foreigners
- Go at sunset, not at night — the magic of Ping An is the 30 minutes around sunset when the city lights come on. Book the 30 min before sunset time slot. After sunset is fully dark and the views inside are just black.
- Book ahead via the WeChat mini-program (平安金融中心) — the sunset time slots sell out 1-2 days ahead on weekends. Foreign passports are accepted in the mini-program but you may need a Chinese phone number to receive the SMS code — use your hotel's number.
- Walk through the lobby even without a ticket — the free lobby has the world's largest stainless steel lobby wall, the 10-story atrium, and the 30m-tall 'Crystal' LED installation. A quick 15-min visit is worth the photo op.
- Bring a light jacket in winter — the observation deck is glass-enclosed but the air conditioning keeps it at 18°C. The Cloud Bar is more comfortable for staying longer.
- Pair with Shenzhen Bay Park (15 min by metro) — the 13-km coastal park has the best free view of the Ping An Finance Centre from across the bay. Sunset walk → Ping An observation is the most complete Shenzhen evening.
Suggested route
- 17:00 20 min Arrive at Shopping Park Metro Station, Exit C. Walk 5 min north to Ping An Finance Centre. Pre-booked ticket holders enter directly; walk-ins queue at the gate (usually 10-20 min on weekends).
- 17:20 10 min Take the elevator to 116F — 60 seconds, 10 m/s, with an LED ceiling display showing the height. Arrive at the observation deck. The sunset is in 30 min — start with the west-facing window for the sunset view.
- 17:30 45 min Sunset. Walk the 360° observation deck. West-facing: the setting sun, the bay, the Hong Kong mountains. East-facing: the Spring Bamboo tower, the Shenzhen skyline. North-facing: the Futian CBD. South-facing: the Shenzhen Bay Park and the bay.
- 18:15 30 min Blue hour — the city lights come on. The most-photographed 15 min. The sky is deep blue but the city is lit. Walk to the Cloud Bar for a cocktail (¥80-150) with the view.
- 18:45 20 min Continue on the observation deck for the night views. The 116F windows are tinted but the views are still impressive. Allow 15-20 min for the night photo op.
- 19:05 20 min Down to the lobby. The free lobby is worth a 15-min walk through — the world's largest stainless steel lobby wall, the 10-story atrium, and the 30m-tall 'Crystal' LED installation.
- 19:25 Optional 2 hours Optional: dinner at one of the malls near the tower (Coco Park, 5 min walk). Or Didi to Shenzhen Bay Park (15 min) for the 19:30+ night walk along the bay.
The highest view in Shenzhen
Ping An Finance Centre (平安金融中心, also called Ping An IFC) is a 599m skyscraper in the Futian District of Shenzhen. Completed in 2017, it is the second-tallest building in China (after Shanghai Tower) and the tallest in Shenzhen. The 116F observation deck at 547m offers 360° views of the city, the bay, and Hong Kong.
For most foreign visitors, Ping An is the most “Shenzhen” experience — the modern megacity, the futuristic skyline, the dizzying height. The sunset views are the highlight, and on a clear day the Hong Kong mountains (60 km away) are visible.
The free lobby is worth a quick visit even without a ticket — the world’s largest stainless steel lobby wall, the 10-story atrium, and the 30m-tall “Crystal” (水晶) LED installation are the Instagram spots.
What to actually see
The visit is 1.5-2 hours, or 15 min for the free lobby.
Lobby (free) — the world’s largest stainless steel lobby wall, the 10-story atrium, the 30m-tall “Crystal” LED installation. A quick 15-min walk-through.
116F observation deck (¥200) — the 360° views from 547m. The 30 minutes around sunset are the magic hour.
Cloud Bar (¥80 minimum spend) — the bar on the 116F observation level, with cocktails ¥80-150. The highest bar in Shenzhen.
The view from 116F:
- West: the sunset, the Shenzhen Bay, the Hong Kong mountains (60 km away)
- East: the Spring Bamboo tower (392m), the Shenzhen skyline
- North: the Futian CBD, the mountains in the distance
- South: the Shenzhen Bay Park (13 km), the bay, the Hong Kong mountains
When to go
Best: October-December. Cool and dry. The sunset is clear, the air is dry, and the Hong Kong mountains are visible 60 km away.
Acceptable: March-May, September. Warm but not yet hot, generally clear.
Avoid: June-August. Hot, humid, hazy. The views are 50% of the experience, and the haze reduces visibility.
Time of day: the 30 minutes around sunset, year-round. In winter (November-February) sunset is 17:30-18:00, so book the 17:00-18:30 time slot. In summer (May-July) sunset is 19:00-19:30, so book the 18:30-20:00 slot.
How to get there
The metro is the easiest. Shopping Park Station on Line 1 and Line 3, Exit C. The tower is 5 min walk from the metro. The adjacent Convention & Exhibition Center Station (Line 1, Line 4) is also 5 min walk.
From Shenzhen North Railway Station (high-speed from Guangzhou, Wuhan, Hong Kong), take Line 5 to Line 1. 30 minutes, ¥6.
From Luohu Port (the older Hong Kong border crossing), take Line 1 direct. 30 minutes, ¥5.
What to pair it with
Ping An is in the Futian CBD. Pair your visit with:
- Shenzhen Bay Park (15 min by Didi) — the 13-km coastal park with the best free view of Ping An from across the bay
- Coco Park (5 min walk) — the dinner mall, 30+ restaurants
- Window of the World (20 min by metro) — the international theme park
- OCT Loft (20 min by metro) — the contemporary art district
Best photo spots
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116F observation deck (west-facing window) · Sunset (17:00-19:00 in winter, 18:30-20:30 in summer)
The 30 minutes around sunset, looking west over the Shenzhen skyline, the bay, and the Hong Kong mountains. The sky goes from blue to orange to pink to purple while the city lights come on. Use a 24-70mm at f/4 with a polarizer to cut window glare.
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116F observation deck (east-facing window) · Blue hour (sunset +30 min)
Looking east at the Spring Bamboo tower and the Shenzhen skyline. The tower is 392m, illuminated in white, and the centerpiece of the skyline view from this side. Use a 50mm prime at f/2.8 for the depth of the city.
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Cloud Bar (116F) · Blue hour
The Cloud Bar has a 360° view with comfortable seating and the cocktail glass as foreground. Use a 35mm prime at f/2 for the atmospheric evening shot with the city lights in the background.
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Free lobby (ground floor) · Any time (the lobby is always lit)
The world's largest stainless steel lobby wall, the 10-story atrium, and the 30m-tall 'Crystal' LED installation. Use a 24mm wide-angle at f/4 to capture the scale of the architecture.
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South side (looking at Shenzhen Bay Park) · Day or night
Looking south at the 13-km Shenzhen Bay Park and the bay. The Hong Kong mountains are visible in the distance on a clear day. Use a 70-200mm telephoto at f/5.6 to compress the distance to Hong Kong.
Where to eat nearby
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Cloud Bar (云际酒吧) on 116F
Cocktail bar on the 116F observation deck. Cocktails ¥80-150, light snacks ¥60-120. The highest bar in Shenzhen. Reservations recommended on weekends. · ¥80-150/person (cocktails), ¥60-120/person (snacks) · Inside Ping An Finance Centre, 116F
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Coco Park (可可公园) — 5 min walk from the tower
Large mall with 30+ restaurants. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Western chains. The most popular dinner location for Shenzhen CBD workers. · ¥60-200/person · 5 min walk from Ping An Finance Centre
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Shenzhen Bay Park food kiosks — 15 min by Didi
Basic snacks: bao, hot dogs, ice cream, bottled drinks. Functional, not memorable. Best at sunset when the bay is glowing. · ¥10-30/person · 15 min by Didi from the tower
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Park Lane (柏悦汇) — 5 min walk from the tower
Mid-tier mall with 20+ restaurants. Chinese, hot pot, Japanese. Cheaper than Coco Park. · ¥50-100/person · 5 min walk from Ping An Finance Centre
Frequently asked questions
How much does Ping An Finance Centre cost in 2026?
**Observation deck (116F, 547m)**: ¥200. **Children under 1.2 m** free with adult; **1.2-1.5 m** ¥100. **Senior 65+** ¥100 with ID. **Audio guide** ¥30 extra (English, Mandarin, Japanese). **Cloud Bar minimum spend** ¥80. **The lobby is open to walk through for free** without a ticket.
What is the best time to visit Ping An Finance Centre?
The 30 minutes around sunset, year-round. In winter (November-February) sunset is 17:30-18:00, so book the 17:00-18:30 time slot. In summer (May-July) sunset is 19:00-19:30, so book the 18:30-20:00 slot. The clearest views are after a cold front in November-December.
How long does Ping An Finance Centre take?
1.5-2 hours. The elevator ride (60 sec) to 116F, the observation deck (30-45 min), the 360° views, and the optional Cloud Bar (20-30 min). The lobby (free, no ticket needed) takes 15-20 min on its own.
Is Ping An Finance Centre worth it?
Yes for first-time visitors. The 599m observation at 547m is the highest in Shenzhen and the second-highest in China. The sunset views of the city, the bay, and Hong Kong are impressive on a clear day. Skip if: (a) you've been up a similar observation (Canton Tower, Macau Tower, Shanghai Tower), (b) the weather is hazy or raining, (c) you're on a tight budget — the free lobby is worth a quick visit.
Can I see Hong Kong from Ping An Finance Centre?
Yes on a clear day. The Hong Kong mountains (Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long) are 60 km away and visible from the 116F observation deck. The Shenzhen Bay Bridge is also visible. The clearest views are after a cold front in November-December when the air is dry.
What is the difference between Ping An Finance Centre and the Spring Bamboo tower?
**Ping An Finance Centre** is 599m (the tallest in Shenzhen) and has the public 116F observation deck. **Spring Bamboo tower (China Resources Headquarters)** is 392m and is the iconic bamboo-shoot-shaped building visible from Shenzhen Bay Park. The two are 5 km apart. Ping An has the views, Spring Bamboo has the photo from the bay.
Is the Ping An Finance Centre lobby free?
Yes — the lobby is open to walk through for free, no ticket needed. The world's largest stainless steel lobby wall, the 10-story atrium, and the 30m-tall 'Crystal' LED installation are the Instagram spots. A quick 15-min visit is worth the photo op, even if you don't go up to the observation deck.
Is Ping An Finance Centre wheelchair-accessible?
Yes — the elevators go from ground to 116F without stairs. The observation deck is one continuous level. The lobby is fully accessible. The Cloud Bar is also accessible.