At a Glance

Shanghai Museum on People's Square has anchored Chinese antiquity display since 1952, moving to its 1996 "round-top, square-base" building. 1.02 million objects — bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy. Free entry.

Private Gifts Meet National Heritage

The collection grew from Shanghai's pre-1949 private collectors who donated after liberation. A much larger east-bank branch is opening in 2024.

Highlights

• Bronze gallery with Shang and Zhou ritual vessels.
• 8,000 years of ceramics.
• Calligraphy originals from Tang to Qing.
• Song landscape painting.
• Minority peoples' costumes.

Visiting Tips

People's Square metro. Free with online booking. 3–4 hours. Closed Mondays.