Welcoming the First Sunrise of 2012 on the World's Highest Observation Deck

SHANGHAI, January 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The SWFC Observatory, the highest observation deck recognized by Guinness World Records, held the "Welcoming the First Sunrise of 2012" event on January 1, 2012.

On the morning of January 1, the observatory opened two hours earlier than usual to visitors who weathered the chilly wind of early morning, hoping to see the first sunrise of 2012 and welcoming the New Year. At around 6 o'clock, it was already crowded with people who were anxiously waiting for the exciting moment of daybreak. When the first dawn finally came in foggy weather, people still enjoyed this significant moment very much and made great wishes for the New Year from the world's highest observatory.

As an event the observatory holds every year, "Watch the Sunrise of the New Year's Day" event has been held four times and drawn lots of attention from people both home and abroad. At the first daybreak of the year, people make their wishes for the New Year and pray that the first sunbeam may bring good luck for them. As a matter of fact, it is a custom in many countries for people to watch the sunrise of the New Year; they believe seeing the sunrise of New Year's Day foretells good luck in the New Year. Furthermore, during the Chinese New Year, the SWFC Observatory will also bring visitors a traditional Chinese celebration, such as lion dance, folk art performance, etc.

Shanghai World Financial Center, a super high complex building at Lujiazui of Shanghai Pudong New Area, boasts the most advanced office facilities for multinational companies, the highest observatory, Park Hyatt Shanghai, which provides world-class services, multifunctional convention facilities that provide great services for international conferences and activities, and a cultural media center and commercial facilities that disseminate the most up-to-date economical, financial, cultural and artistic information. The building, which integrates the functionalities of office, culture and sightseeing, has become a new landmark that symbolizes the rapid economic development of China and Shanghai. Meanwhile, the Winter Illumination of SWFC right before the New Year's Day added to the beauty and charm of the city. From 17:00 to 23:00 every day, the flower terrace and roadside trees, adorned by 185,000 LED blue and white lamps that covered an area of 650 m2, turned SWFC into a luminous and splendid "vertical garden city".