Shanghai Museum
Shanghai Shi
Shanghai Museum, located in the heart of Shanghai's People's Square, is one of China's most important museums dedicated to ancient Chinese art. Established in 1952, it houses over 1 million artifacts, including bronze, ceramics, calligraphy, jade, paintings, and sculptures. The museum's current building, inaugurated in 1996, is architecturally distinctive, shaped like an ancient bronze ding vessel symbolizing the traditional Chinese concept of a round sky and square earth. Its eleven permanent galleries showcase treasures such as the nationally significant Da Ke ding bronze vessel, exquisite ceramics from various dynasties, and a rich collection of calligraphy and paintings by renowned masters. The museum also features special exhibition halls hosting rotating exhibitions. It serves as a cultural hub preserving and presenting China's rich heritage through its comprehensive collections and educational programs, attracting millions of visitors annually.
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Tip: The museum is best visited on weekdays to avoid crowds, with morning hours recommended for a quieter experience. Admission to permanent exhibitions is generally free, but special exhibitions may require tickets. Booking tickets in advance is advisable during peak tourist seasons. The museum is easily accessible via Shanghai Metro lines 1, 2, 8 at People's Square station, and lines 8, 14 at Dashijie station. Visitors should check the official website for temporary closures or exhibition changes.
Interesting facts
- •The museum's building design is inspired by the Da Ke ding, an ancient bronze vessel exhibited inside.
- •It houses one of only three known 'transparent' bronze mirrors from the Han dynasty.
- •The museum's bronze collection includes the Da Ke ding, a national treasure with an inscription of over 290 characters, detailing historical events from the Western Zhou period.
- •Shanghai Museum's calligraphy collection features works by famous masters such as Huang Tingjian and Su Shi.
- •The museum's collection exceeds 1 million items, with over 145,000 considered precious cultural relics.
History
Founded in 1952, Shanghai Museum initially occupied the former Shanghai Racecourse clubhouse and later moved to the Zhonghui Building.
Its early collections were assembled from artifacts seized during the Chinese Civil War, customs confiscations, and private donations.
The museum's growth was hindered during the Cultural Revolution but resumed afterward, significantly expanding its collections.
In the early 1990s, under director Ma Chengyuan's leadership, the museum secured funding and a prime location on People's Square.
The current building was completed in 1996, designed by architect Xing Tonghe to resemble a traditional bronze ding, embodying Chinese cosmology.
Place Guide
Bronze GalleryAncient to Han dynasty
Located on the first floor, this gallery displays over 400 exquisite bronze artifacts, illustrating the evolution of Chinese bronze art. Highlights include national treasures like the Da Ke ding and other significant vessels from the Western Zhou to the Han dynasty.
Ceramics GalleryNeolithic to Song dynasty
Situated on the second floor, this gallery showcases over 500 ceramic masterpieces spanning from the Neolithic period to the Song dynasty and beyond, including the famous Tang sancai and Northern Song Ru ware.
Calligraphy GalleryTang to Ming dynasty
On the third floor, the calligraphy gallery exhibits works by masters such as Ouyang Xun, Su Shi, and Zhao Mengfu, representing a wide range of styles across Chinese history.
Painting GalleryNorthern Song to Qing dynasty
Also on the third floor, this gallery features paintings from the Northern Song through the Qing dynasty, including works by Ma Yuan, Ni Zan, and the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou.
Jade GalleryNeolithic to Qing dynasty
Located on the fourth floor, this gallery presents jade objects from the Neolithic era to the Qing dynasty, including ritual items, jewelry, and scholar's objects such as brush washers and inkstones.
Ming and Qing Furniture GalleryMing and Qing dynasty
This gallery reconstructs Ming and Qing period living and study rooms, displaying over 100 pieces of exquisite furniture collected from noted collectors Wang Shixiang and Chen Mengjia.
Contact
Phone: 021 6372 3500