(Yicai) Sept. 30 -- The iconic Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai welcomed its 100 millionth guest nearly 30 years after opening doors to tourists.

German tourist Peter Baur hit the milestone and received a commemorative certificate and a model of the Oriental Pearl Tower from Shanghai Vice Mayor Liu Duo at a special ceremony yesterday. Baur said he will always remember this special moment, praising the city's urban beauty and the array of souvenirs.

The Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism also unveiled the "Shanghai Art Installation" during the ceremony.

The artwork utilizes vibrant color schemes and carefully crafted geometric shapes to creatively showcase Shanghai's diversity and boundless energy as an international metropolis, Designer Tore Claesson noted.

Celebrating the tower's 100 millionth visitor highlights Shanghai's urban image and shows its efforts to position itself as China's premier inbound tourism destination. More than 3 million inbound tourists visited the city in the first half of this year, up over 140 percent from a year earlier.

The event also shows Shanghai's enduring appeal as a global tourist destination and its successful recovery in the post-Covid 19 pandemic era. China continues to open up to international travelers and landmarks such as the Oriental Pearl Tower play a crucial role in attracting visitors and showcasing the country's modern development and cultural heritage.

Standing at 468 meters, the Oriental Pearl Tower opened on Oct. 1, 1994, and was the tallest building in Shanghai at the time. It began welcoming tourists in May 1995.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Martin Kadiev