Shanghai Museum Guide
Shanghai currently has a total of 165 museums
Shanghai currently has a total of 165 museums, with 135 of them offering free admission. These museums cover a wide range of themes and types, from history and art to science and nature, catering to diverse interests.
Popular Museums in Shanghai
Experience an immersive journey into Chinese culture at Shanghai’s museums.
Shanghai Museum 上海博物馆
- The Shanghai Museum was founded in 1952. It’s one of the most famous ancient art museums in China and one of the country’s top four museums. They have a huge collection covering 31 categories, with a focus on bronze, ceramics, and paintings. It’s one of the best places to see ancient Chinese art.
Inside, there are several permanent exhibitions, like the Ancient Chinese Bronze Gallery, the Ancient Sculpture Gallery, the Calligraphy Gallery, and the Painting Gallery. Visitors need to make reservations ahead of time, especially during peak periods. Photography isn’t allowed, and some special exhibits might require extra tickets.
- Address:
201 Renmin Avenue
人民大道201号
Tickets:
Free. Visitors can enter through the east gate on B1 level with a valid ID after security check.
Hours:
Daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with last entry at 5:00 PM. Closed on Tuesdays.
Shanghai Natural History Museum 上海自然博物馆
The Shanghai Natural History Museum is one of the largest in China. It has over 280,000 items in its collection, including more than 11,000 specimens from all seven continents, with nearly 1,000 rare species. There’s a 1,500-square-meter immersive exhibit that recreates the vibrant African savanna.
They also have a Life Hall that shows the evolution of life from ancient times to now, featuring dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. In the Nature Exploration Zone, visitors can check out various plant and animal specimens, fossils, and meteorites, and even get hands-on with nature.- Address:
510 Beijing West Road (inside Jing’an Sculpture Park)
北京西路510号(静安雕塑公园内)
Tickets:
30 CNY (about 4.50 USD), reservation required in advance.
Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; closed on Mondays.
Shanghai Planetarium 上海天文馆
The Shanghai Planetarium is the largest in the world. It has about 70 meteorite samples and over 120 artifacts, with more than 300 exhibits in total, all supported by four professional-grade astronomical observation and display systems.
They also feature a project called the “Walking Planetarium” that uses XR and AI technology for an immersive experience. Visitors can stroll through the “Home” area and explore the solar system and the Milky Way using optical planetariums.- Address:
380 Lingang Avenue
临港大道380号
Tickets:
30 CNY (about 4.50 USD)
Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM; closed on Mondays.
China Art Museum 中华艺术宫
The China Art Museum was transformed from the China Pavilion of the 2010 Shanghai Expo. It’s an important cultural landmark in Shanghai. The collection includes various art forms like oil paintings and Chinese paintings, featuring works from the Qing Dynasty to modern times.
Most exhibitions are free, but some special ones, like the “Along the River During Qingming Festival” exhibit, require a fee. There’s also an art education corridor that hosts lectures and workshops for all ages. An interactive experience area uses VR and AR technology to let visitors engage more directly with the art.- Address:
205 Shangnan Road
上南路205号
Tickets:
Free
Hours:
Monday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Shanghai Ocean Aquarium 上海海洋水族馆
The Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is one of the largest man-made saltwater aquariums in the world. It features a 155-meter-long underwater tunnel where visitors can enjoy a stunning view of marine life from all angles. You can see over 450 species and more than 12,000 rare fish and endangered creatures from five continents and four oceans.
- Address:
1388 Lujiazui Ring Road (near the Oriental Pearl Tower)
陆家嘴环路1388号(近东方明珠)
Tickets:
160 CNY (about 24 USD)
Hours:
Daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Shanghai World Expo Museum 世博会博物馆
The Expo Museum is a unique place that fully showcases the themes of world expos. It has several permanent exhibition halls displaying the history and technological achievements of various expos. For example, you can see the Brussels airship from the 1910 Brussels Expo and a rudderless biplane from the 1904 International Aviation Conference.
- Address:
818 Mengzi Road (near Longhua East Road)
蒙自路818号(近龙华东路)
Tickets:
Free, but reservation is required.
Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; closed on Mondays.
