Shanghai Museum
上海博物馆
China's premier museum of ancient art, with unmatched collections of bronzes, ceramics, and calligraphy and painting nationwide. The People's Square museum and the Pudong East Museum each have their own focus.
The Shanghai Museum was founded in 1952 and holds over one million objects, best known for its four major categories: bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy and painting, and jade. The People's Square building (opened in 1996, with a 'round heaven, square earth' design) currently highlights the Ancient Chinese Bronzes Gallery (including the Da Ke Ding and the Jin Marquis Su Bells), the Ceramics Gallery, the Calligraphy and Painting Galleries (with works such as Wang Xizhi's Shangyu Model Calligraphy and Emperor Huizong of Song's Willows, Reeds and Geese, rotated for display), the Jade Gallery, the Ming and Qing Furniture Gallery, and the Minority Crafts Gallery. The Pudong East Museum (1952 Century Avenue), opened in 2024, is larger and houses galleries for ancient Chinese bronzes, sculpture, calligraphy, painting and seals, and often hosts major special exhibitions such as 'Glory of China: Sanxingdui and Jinsha'. Both museums are free but require advance real-name reservations through the Shanghai Museum WeChat official account. Daily entries are capped, and slots on weekends and during special exhibitions often sell out days in advance. Special exhibitions require a separate ticket (about 60–100 yuan). Closed on Mondays except public holidays. Audio guide rental costs 20 yuan, or you can scan a QR code for a free guided tour. Allow at least half a day, focusing on the bronze and ceramics galleries. Getting there: for the People's Square museum, take Metro Lines 1, 2 or 8 to People's Square Station, Exit 1. For the East Museum, take Metro Line 2 to Shanghai Science and Technology Museum Station. After visiting the People's Square museum, you can conveniently stroll to the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the Renmin Park marriage market (weekends), and Nanjing Road.
Opening hours
9:00am–5:00pm (last entry 4:00pm); closed Mondays
Nearby sights
- Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center
- Shanghai History Museum
- Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street
- Xintiandi
- Memorial of the First National Congress of the CPC
- Zhangyuan (Zhang Garden)
- Shanghai Natural History Museum
- Sinan Mansions