Discover some of the best examples of traditional Chinese art and craftsmanship from the past three millennia at this expertly curated museum.
The Shanghai Museum is home to a rich and varied collection of over 120,000 ancient Chinese artefacts, including art and sculpture, ceramics and bronze. The exhibits are arranged in 11 themed galleries that showcase the exquisite workmanship and intricate designs characteristic of this country’s traditional art and crafts.
The museum building’s unique architectural design draws upon traditional symbolism. The base of the structure is square, representing the earth, and it is topped with a circular roof, representing the sky.
The collection of over 500 ceramic pieces makes up one of the most popular exhibitions in the museum. Admire the delicate hues of primitive celadon glazed wares, the iconic blue and white decoration of the early Ming Dynasty pieces and a selection of extremely rare Song Dynasty dishes which have survived for over 1,000 years.
The Gallery of Chinese Ancient Bronze is home to over 400 items dating as far back as 2000 BC, the era of the Xia Dynasty. See how techniques were developed to create intricate food and wine vessels and musical instruments, and marvel at the Transparent Mirror from the Han Dynasty, one of only three in existence. This solid piece of bronze, highly polished on one side and intricately carved on the other, appears to become transparent when hit by a strong beam of light, a phenomenon that defied explanation for centuries.
Make your way through the other galleries to discover delicate jade carvings, beautiful works of ancient calligraphy and impressive collections of official seals.
The Shanghai Museum is open every day. There is no charge for admission, but there is a daily limit on the number of visitors allowed. Be prepared to wait for entry. The museum is located in People’s Square, which can be easily reached by metro and bus.
