The largest city in the world in terms of population with a fascinating history has been dynamically developing for the second millennium and carefully preserves artifacts of past eras. In dozens of museums in Shanghai, you can get acquainted with all aspects of the ancient and modern life of this metropolis.
Shanghai Museum
The most impressive repository of the history of the country and the city, which contains amazing material evidence of past centuries. Shanghai Main Museum was founded in 1952 and housed in the building of the racing club, which has long been one of the most recognizable symbols of the city.
In 1996, the museum moved to a purpose-built building in the city center at the south end of People's Square, designed by local architect Sing Tong He. The unusual shape of the best museum in Shanghai is made in accordance with ancient Chinese cosmogonic ideas, the square base symbolizes the earth, and the upper floors in the shape of a circle represent the sky. Sing was inspired by an antique bronzevessel Ding Ke Ding, which is on display.
At four floors, three exhibition halls and eleven galleries, 120,000 pieces of Chinese art are exhibited. Each floor is dedicated to a separate theme, the first floor presents a collection of bronzes (including weapons, goblets, vessels, utensils) from the ancient Chinese Han, Shang and Zhou dynasties. The second exhibits ceramics from the Neolithic era and the times of many Han emperors. A separate gallery is dedicated to the material culture of national minorities; here you can see the products of artisans made of bronze, ceramics, bamboo, costumes of the peoples of China. Separate expositions are devoted to jade products, especially valued in the country - talismans, ornaments, figurines, symbolizing we alth and power. Paintings and calligraphy, collections of ancient books and historical documents, coins are displayed in separate galleries.
Some tourists believe that if you want to "feel" the country, then this museum is a must-see, especially since admission is free. The museum is located at No. 201, Ren Min Da Dao, you can get there by subway to the People's Square station or by bus to the People's Square stop.
China Art Museum
There are many different art museums in Shanghai, the main one is the Chinese Art Museum, which is located in the Pudong area. It presents works that show the origins, development and achievements of modern Chinese art. The museum is located at No. 205, Shangnan Road,Pudong, take the subway to China Art Museum Station.
Four permanent collections focus on different aspects of artistic creation. More than 600 works from the 19th-20th century show the origins and main trends. Another exhibit features paintings and sculptures by seven prominent Chinese artists. The modern 21st century is represented by 250 works - engravings, sculptures, calligraphy. A separate exhibition is allocated to get acquainted with the historical context of Shanghai, part of the permanent exhibition is a huge panel depicting scenes of urban and rural life in ancient China.
Shanghai Museum of Science and Technology
This amazing museum in Shanghai is specially built by the local government to support the state policy to increase the role of science, technology and education in the modernization of the country.
It was opened at the end of 2001, its expositions are devoted to various fields of activity. All expositions are divided into 4 themes: nature, man, science and technology. For example, separate exhibition areas are dedicated to astronautics, robots, wildlife, and information technology.
Tourists advise taking children to the Technoland pavilion, which is equipped with interactive equipment and, according to their reviews, is simply fantastic. The museum is located at: No. 2000 Shiji Avenue.
Shanghai Museum of Chinese Medicine
One of the oldest museums in Shanghai opened its exhibition halls in 1938. His collection contains over14,000 exhibits showing the achievements and history of the development of Chinese traditional medicine over 5,000 years from the Neolithic era to the present day.
Three thematic sections show samples of traditional medicine, the history of the University of Chinese Medicine and the healing history of the Chinese Medical Society.
This museum in Shanghai has collected more than 3,000 medicines with descriptions of forms, properties and methods of application, which museum visitors can familiarize themselves with. The expositions and exhibitions held here are aimed at popularizing the scientific knowledge of traditional medicine, the exchange and dissemination of treatment methods between China and other countries.
Shanghai History Museum
If you want to see what the city was like in different periods of time since the Ming Dynasty, then be sure to visit this museum, sometimes called the Exhibition Pavilion of the Historical Development of the City of Shanghai. Founded in 1983, after several moves, it was located in 2001 on the first floor of the Shanghai TV Tower at No.1 Century Avenue, where it is now. If you wonder how to get to the museums of Shanghai, the best way is to take the subway.
Among about 30 thousand exhibits included in the museum fund, there are ancient city relics and 18 thousand modern objects, including the colonial period. This Shanghai museum has five main permanent exhibitions on different aspects of Chinese history and the city.
Jewish Refugee Museum
Among dozens of diverse museums in Shanghai, there are many devoted to art, such as Zendaya contemporary art, production history, such as railway, banking, maritime. Museums have been created showing the history of individual events, sports, materials and technologies.
But few people expect to see the Jewish Refugee Museum in Shanghai, built to commemorate the 25,000 Jews who took refuge in the city during World War II. It is housed in the former Ohel Moshe Synagogue in Hongkou District on Changyang Street. Documents, scrolls and other cultural relics are displayed here. Many tourists advise to visit this place and do not hesitate to contact the volunteers working in the museum, who speak good English.
