The 11 Best Museums in Shanghai

The Shanghai Museum on People's Square is one of China's finest museums of ancient art, housed in a distinctive building shaped like a bronze ding vessel, with world-class galleries of bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy and jade. Admission is free. Note that since the huge Shanghai Museum East opened in 2024 in Pudong, many thematic galleries moved there, so this original branch now shows a slimmed-down selection; check which site has the collection you want before going.

China's first state-run contemporary art museum, set in a converted riverside power plant with a giant chimney - think Shanghai's answer to the Tate Modern. Free general admission (special shows ticketed). Open Tuesday-Sunday 11am-7pm, closed Mondays. A must for modern-art lovers.

This moving museum documents the story of roughly 20,000 European Jewish refugees who found sanctuary in Shanghai's Hongkou district during World War II, housed in the restored Ohel Moishe Synagogue. The personal testimonies, photographs, and artifacts are deeply affecting and the story is little-known outside specialist circles, making it genuinely revelatory. The surrounding Tilanqiao Historic Area retains authentic 1930s–40s streetscapes worth exploring after your visit.

One of China's most important private art museums, the Long Museum West Bund is a dramatic industrial conversion on the Huangpu riverfront showcasing the Liu Yiqian and Wang Wei collection of modern and contemporary Chinese art. The building itself — a repurposed coal unloading bridge — is architecturally stunning. Admission is steep but the caliber of works, including rare Cultural Revolution-era pieces and blue-chip contemporary art, justifies it for serious art enthusiasts.

Occupying a meticulously restored 1932 Art Deco building steps from the Bund, Rockbund Art Museum punches well above its size with tightly curated contemporary art exhibitions that consistently attract critical attention. The intimate scale means you can absorb each show thoroughly in under two hours. The rooftop terrace offers a rare elevated view of the surrounding heritage streetscape — don't skip it.

A modern, kid-magnet natural history museum in a striking nautilus-shaped building in Jing'an Sculpture Park - dinosaurs, a living wall, and animatronics. Tickets are cheap (about 30 yuan) but require advance reservation via WeChat. Open 9am-5pm, closed Mondays.

Repurposed from the China Pavilion of Expo 2010, this is one of Asia's largest art museums, housing an enormous permanent collection of modern Chinese art including the celebrated animated version of Along the River During the Qingming Festival. The sheer scale can be overwhelming — focus on the upper floors for the strongest works. Free but requires ID registration at the entrance; allow at least two to three hours.

Located in the base of the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower in Pudong, this museum traces Shanghai's urban history from a fishing village to global metropolis through dioramas, artifacts, and immersive recreations of old street scenes. The 1930s Shanghai street replica is genuinely evocative and popular with locals and visitors alike. The free admission makes it an easy add-on, though weekends can get very crowded.

Founded by Indonesian-Chinese collector Budi Tek, Yuz Museum occupies a converted 1950s aircraft hangar and is one of Shanghai's premier destinations for large-scale international contemporary art. The soaring ceilings allow for monumental installations that few venues in the city can accommodate. Exhibitions rotate and have included major works by Damien Hirst and Maurizio Cattelan; check the schedule as it occasionally closes between shows.

Housed in the striking former Shanghai Race Club building, this museum presents rotating exhibitions of Chinese and international fine art across beautifully restored colonial-era galleries. The architecture alone is worth the visit — grand staircases and ornate ceilings frame the collections elegantly. Exhibitions change frequently so check ahead; permanent holdings are modest compared to the temporary shows.

MOCA Shanghai sits inside People's Park in a striking glass pavilion and focuses on accessible contemporary art and design exhibitions with an international outlook. It's one of the few museums in the city open until 10pm, making it ideal for an evening cultural visit. The rooftop restaurant has lovely park views; exhibitions vary widely in quality so check current programming before going.