Attractions

The main venue of the APEC meeting in 2001, the Shanghai Science & Technology Museum occupies a total floor space of 98,000 square meters. With "Nature, Man and Science and Technology" as its main theme, the museum enlightens visitors through an integration of exhibition, education, scientific study and exchange, exhibits’ collection and production, and leisure and tourism. The seven exhibition areas cater to adults and children alike: the Earth's Crust, Life, Light of Wisdom, Audio-Video Paradise, Cradle of Designers, Children's Garden, and Natural Science. The museum also features a large 3-D screen cinema, a 360-degree circular screen cinema and a 4-D screen cinema.

Located in People’s Square, the landmark Shanghai Art Museum is distinguished by its clock tower. In addition to exhibition halls, the Art Museum also has a conference room for academic exchanges and art appreciation and an academic activity room; turning the museum into a modern art center that integrates collection and research, exhibition, aesthetic education, and art appreciation.

Founded in 1983, the Shanghai History Museum relocated to the Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower in 2000. More than 40,000 exhibits collected by the Museum over the years reflect Shanghai’s past and modern historical backgrounds. These include the bronze tigers which used to stand proud at the entrance of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, printing machines from the Commercial Press and a 1930’s model of the Bund.

Situated next to Xintiandi, the Museum of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China has drawn millions of visitors through its doors. It was here on July 23, 1921 that 13 members of the Community Party of China held their first national congress, marking the birth of the Party. The exhibits cover the history of the Party's birth, the forming of nationwide communist teams and life-sized waxworks of the 13 members, including Chairman Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China.

An impressive showcase that details Shanghai’s past, present and future, the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall maps out the vision of the city’s urban planners. A sprawling model of the city in 2020 is the centerpiece on the third floor of the museum, while a recreated 1930’s old street in the basement takes visitors to the past. 

Dr. Sun Yat-sen was the key figure in the 1911 revolution which brought down the Qing (Manchu) Dynasty and is revered as the founder of modern China. He lived in Shanghai from 1918 to 1924 and compiled a library of 2,700 volumes, many books in English and other foreign languages. After his death, Soong Ching Ling continued to stay here till 1937. Located in a quiet residential area reminiscent of London or Paris.

The museum is one of the four largest in China, housing a collection of 12,300 pieces of art in 23 categories of valuable cultural relics. Permanent galleries include bronze, ceramics, painting, calligraphy, sculpture, furniture, jade, seals, coins, minority arts, and bamboo, wood and lacquer wares and ceramics.