Attraction
The Bund
Shanghai's colonial-era waterfront, a 1.6-kilometre line of 52 banks, hotels and trading houses facing the Lujiazui skyline across the Huangpu River.
Shanghai Museum (People’s Square)
A museum of ancient Chinese art with more than 120,000 objects, housed in a ding-shaped building on People's Square with galleries of bronzes, ceramics, painting and jade.
At a glance
- Type
- Museum of ancient Chinese art
- Area
- People's Square, Shanghai, China
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Monday) · 09:00–17:00
Good to know
- Passport required
- Audio guides in 8 languages
- No booking for individuals on normal days
Why we recommend it
The Shanghai Museum was founded in 1952 and moved into its present building on People's Square in 1996. Designed by the architect Xing Tonghe, the five-storey building is shaped like a ding, an ancient bronze cooking vessel, with a round top over a square base that reflects the traditional idea of a round heaven over a square earth. Its collection of pre-modern Chinese art runs to more than 120,000 objects.
The permanent galleries are arranged by medium. There are eleven permanent galleries, covering ancient bronzes, sculpture, ceramics, jade, painting, calligraphy, seals and coins, as well as Ming and Qing furniture and the arts and crafts of China's ethnic minorities. Recent displays have included a gallery of Chinese cloisonné on the fourth floor and Ming and Qing rhinoceros horn carvings on the third. Three halls host temporary exhibitions, which change through the year.
Since 1 September 2025 individual visitors no longer need to book in advance on ordinary days. Reservations are still required on national holidays, during school summer and winter holidays and for some popular special exhibitions, when you book by scanning a QR code. Bring your passport, as valid ID is checked at the south gate. The museum opens from 9am to 5pm with last entry at 4pm, and it is closed on Mondays except public holidays. Audio guides are available in eight languages, including English, against a deposit or your passport.
The museum suits anyone with even a passing interest in Chinese history, and the clear layout makes it manageable with children. Allow two to three hours to see the main galleries properly. Weekday mornings are quieter than weekends. Because daily and instant visitor caps can be applied, it is worth checking the official channels before a holiday visit.
Paintings and calligraphy hang on the third floor, alongside the carvings gallery, and audio guides for some temporary exhibitions are rented separately from the permanent-gallery guide.
People's Square station, served by Lines 1, 2 and 8, is right outside, and Exit 1 is the closest. The museum sits on People's Square, a short walk from East Nanjing Road. If you have more time, the newer Shanghai Museum East in Pudong shows a different selection of the collection.
Shanghai Museum (People’s Square) FAQs
What do you need to bring?
Valid ID such as a passport, which is checked at the south gate.
Do you need to book?
Not on ordinary days since 1 September 2025. Booking is required on national holidays, school holidays and for some popular exhibitions.
What are the opening hours?
9am to 5pm, last entry 4pm, closed on Mondays except public holidays.
Which entrance do you use?
Individual visitors enter through the south gate with their ID.
Is there an English audio guide?
Yes. Audio guides are offered in eight languages including English.
How do you get there?
Take Line 1, 2 or 8 to People's Square station and use Exit 1.
How long should you allow?
Two to three hours for the main galleries.
What is the building shaped like?
It is modelled on a ding, an ancient bronze vessel, with a round top and square base.