Established in 1952, the Shanghai Museum is a world-famous museum of ancient Chinese art. Its present building, completed in 1996, is shaped with a square base and a round top attached with arches like a bronze Ding, indicating the ancient Chinese philosophy of the universe that the earth is square while the sky is round. In front of the building stand eight imposing white marble statues of guardian lions.

Among the one million pieces of her collection, there are nearly 130,000 pieces of national treasures. They cover twenty-one categories, such as bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, jade and ivory works, bamboo and lacquer wares, oracle bones, seals, coins, and artifacts of the ethnic minorities, the first four of which are among the best collections in the world.

The Shanghai Museum presents to you these exceptional treasures which epitomize the wisdom and virtuosity of Chinese ancestors: dignified bronzes incarnating the splendor of ancient civilization, beautiful ceramics showing the art of molding, paintings and calligraphy works executed by the brush of culture, exquisite jades conveying a nation’s character, stately sculptures embodying the glory of history, classical furniture, delicate ethnic artifacts… This is a place to experience the brilliant history and enjoy the fabulous artistic creation of China.

1st Floor

Ø  Ancient Chinese Bronze Gallery

Over 400 bronzes of unique shapes, delicate décor and superb techniques tell you the 1,500-year history of the great Chinese Bronze Age from 18th century B.C till 3rd century B.C.

Ø  Anceint Chinese Sculpture Gallery

About 120 statues in the gallery cover the development of Chinese sculpture art from the Warring States to the Ming dynasty. The Buddhist sculptures show how Buddhism confronted and harmonized with Chinese traditional culture over the history.

2nd Floor

Ø  Ancient Chinese Ceramics Gallery

This gallery traces the 8,000 years of Chinese ceramics history from the Neolithic Age to the late Qing dynasty, presenting over 500 pieces from famous kilns to present you a legend of clay and fire in the world art history.

3rd Floor

Ø  Chinese Painting Gallery

Scrolls by masters from Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties are displayed in the showcases by the long corridor flanked with flying-eaved roofs and low balustrade, unfolding the glorious history of Chinese painting.

Ø  Chinese Calligraphy Gallery

Beginning with the inscriptions on oracle bones and bronzes, to the age of bamboo slips and stone steles, about 70 masterpieces, including those by Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi, render the infinite interpretations of seal, official, running, cursive and regular scripts.

Ø  Chinese Seal Gallery

From the Western Zhou dynasty till the late Qing dynasty, Chinese art of seal carving underwent great changes in form and the message that it carried. This gallery houses nearly 500 seals which are among the best of their time.

4th Floor

Ø  Chinese Minority Nationalities’ Art Gallery

More than 600 exhibits, including costumes, embroideries, batiks, metal wares, bamboo and wooden works and masks, disply the technical virtuosity and artistic creativity of China’s ethnic groups.

Ø  Ancient Chinese Jade Gallery

Over 300 pieces of jade, including the mysterious pieces of the Neolithic Age and the sophisticated ones of the Ming and Qing dynasties, are displayed in this gallery, showing the significance of jade in Chinese culture.

Ø  Chinese Ming and Qing Furniture Gallery

About 100 pieces of furniture exemplify the elegant simplicity of Ming style and the delicate resplendence of Qing style. A Ming-style reception hall and a study, together with a set of furniture models unearthed from a Ming tomb, represent the household life of centuries back.

Ø  Chinese Curreny Gallery

A constellation of over 3,000 pieces covers the history of the birth and development of Chinese currency. The ancient silk road coins record the economic history of those ancient nations along the silk road.

How to Get There:

People's Square stop of Metro Line 1, 2, 8

So you want to go dancing?

In most Chinese cities, you will find many nightclubs and discos. Ask around for the best ones to go to.

Be aware of some cultural things:

a - usually people go to discos in groups, and friends may sit together around a table.

b - often a dozen beer will be ordered, but rather than go Dutch, one person might be paying for the whole table

c- when it comes to drinking, it is common to toast others, then drink.

d - if someone fills your glass with beer or spirit, and toasts you, you might be expect to drink the whole glass dry

e - discos may be noisy and loud  (bring earplugs)

f- in some places the discos close at 1am or 2am and everyone leaves

g - going to a nightclub or disco is one sure way to meet local people

If you don't speak any Chinese, it might be daunting to go to a restaurant and order food. Particularly when confronted by a large menu full of Chinese characters, or no menu at all.

So what to do?

First, look around at what others are eating, and if it looks good, ask for that (maybe check the price first).

Second, it is OK to walk into the kitchen, look around, and point at various things you would like to eat. Maybe go with one of the serving staff, so they can take your order.

Third, if you prefer, ask for no MSG or no chilli if you don't want to eat that food enchancer or don't like hot food (Chinese in some parts of China will eat more chilli in one meal that you eat in a year)