Unique Museums To Visit In Shanghai
Shanghai is a city that is full of art and culture. Which also gives away to unique museums that provide another perspective of the city's culture and history. With the beautiful autumn season underway, enjoy the weather and explore one of these unique museums.
SHANGHAI MUSEUM OF
OLD CAMERA MANUFACTURING
Address: 300 Anfu Road, near Drama Center, Xuhui District
Tel: 021 62462064 | 021 60932278
When: Daily (except Mon & Thur), 10:00-16:00
How much: No cover
Ponder the past as you look at cameras, old classic photographs and sets from different time periods.
SHANGHAI MUSEUM OF GLASSES
Address: 533 Baochang Lu, Zhabei District
Tel: 021 56977528
When: Tue-Wed/Fri-Sat, 9:00-11:00/14:00-16:00
How much: RMB 10 (adults) | RMB 5 (children)
The only government funded industry museum, enjoy the museum experience with Glasses and Eyes, the museum's tour guide.
SHANGHAI SHIKUMEN MUSEUM
Address: 181 Taicang Lu, near Madang Lu, Huangpu District
Tel: 021 33070337
When: Sun-Thu, 10:30-22:30 | Fri-Sat, 11:00-23:00
How much: RMB 20 (adults) | RMB 10 (senior citizens, children)
Look into the houses and lifestyle of old Shanghai at this museum, including furniture and amenities from bygone days.
POST OFFICE MUSEUM
Address: 395 Tiantong Lu, near Sichuan Bei Lu, Hongkou District
Tel: 021 63936666
When: Wed-Thu, 9:00-16:00 | Sat-Sun, 9:00-16:00
How much: No cover
Presenting China's postal service history, this museum is a must for any avid collectors and enthusiasts out there.
SHANGHAI RAILWAY MUSEUM
Address: 200 Tianmu Dong Lu, near Baoshan Lu, Zhabei District
Tel: 021 51221987
When: Tue-Sun, 9:00-11:00/14:00-16:00
How much:
No cover (disabled, toddlers)
RMB 5 (children, senior citizens, retired railway workers)
RMB 10 (adults)
Established in 1909, this museum has become an important educational hub, teaching visitors about Shanghai's railway development and history.
SHANGHAI GALLERY OF ANTIQUE MUSIC
Address: 4/F, Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Lu, Pudong New Area
Tel: 021 68547629
When: Daily, 10:00-17:00
How much: RMB 50
China's only music box museum, you can find lots of antique music boxes here, including the world's oldest music box made in 1796.
SHANGHAI MUSEUM OF WRITING
Address: 429 Fuzhou Lu, near Fujian Zhong Lu, Huangpu District
Tel: 021 63281558
When: Daily, 9:30-17:30
How much: No cover
Housing an assortment of Chinese calligraphy brushes and providing an insight into the history of calligraphy, this is one of only a few places focusing solely on ancient Chinese treasures.
LU HANBIN TYPEWRITER MUSEUM
Address: 7/F, 719 Yan'an Xi Lu, Changning District
Tel: 021 64664556
When: Daily, 10:00-22:00
How much: No cover
A haven for writers and avid collectors, this museum houses 300 typewriters, including the oldest typewriter - built in 1809.
SHANGHAI FOLK CHOPSTICKS MUSEUM
Address: 191 Duolun Lu, Hongkou District
Tel: 021 56717528
When: Daily, 9:00-18:00 (Call before visiting)
How much: No cover
To promote Chinese culture, founder Lan Xiang collected more than 2,000 pairs of chopsticks, each with a unique story of its own.
TILANQIAO PRISON
Address: 147 Changyang Lu, near Zhoushan Lu, Hongkou District
Tel: 021 65419233
When: Daily, only for group visits
How much: No cover
An old prison, Tilanqiao Prison provides a glimpse into the living quarters and lives of convicts.
SHANGHAI FILM MUSEUM
Address: 595 North Caoxi Lu, near Nandan Lu, Xuhui District
Tel: 021 64268666
When: Tue-Sun, 9:00-17:00
How much: RMB 60
An interactive experience, this museum houses an art cinema and showcases major contributions to the Shanghai film industry, legendary filmmakers, scenes and exhibitions, as well as the history and development of film in Shanghai.
SHANGHAI ANIMATION ART GALLERY
Address: 69 Zhangjiang Lu, near Dangui Lu, Pudong New District
Tel: 021 58957998
When: Tue-Sun, 10:00-17:00
How much:
RMB 18 (senior citizens)
RMB 24 (children)
RMB 30 (adults)
With close to real-life sculptures, movie clips and a world-class animation cinema, this is a place to relive your favorite childhood cartoons.
TEDDY MUSEUM
Address: L201/F, World Expo Area 4, 1368 Shibo Avenue, Pudong New District
Tel: 021 31075003
When: Mon-Sun, 10:00-20:00
How much: RMB 78
With a collection comprising more than 1,000 teddy bears, this museum also showcases spinoffs of famous art pieces and old Shanghai sets, plus it has a teddy-themed café and even personalised teddy bear mementos.
SHANGHAI MUSEUM OF GLASS
Address: 685 Changjiang Xi Lu, near Gangsi Lu, Baoshan District
Tel: 021 66181970
When: Tue-Sun, 9:30-17:00 | Sat, 16:00-21:00
How much:
RMB 28 (children) | RMB 80 (children, inc. glass-themed garden)
RMB 48 (adults) | RMB 160 (adults, inc. glass-themed garden)
Maintaining the building's basic structure, the museum's main features include a Kaleidoscope Entrance, Corridor of History, House of Glass and the Jewelry Box.
SHANGHAI AUTO MUSEUM
Address: 7565 Anting Boyuan Lu, near Moyu Lu, Jiading District
Tel: 021 69550055
When: Tue-Sun, 9:30-16:30
How much: RMB 60 (adults) | RMB 40 (children)
China's first auto-themed museum, it features a collection of around 70 classic automobiles, and the history and development of the automobile industry is explained with visuals and interactive multimedia games.
JIANGNAN SHIPBUILDING MUSEUM
Address: 2/F, Jiangnan Shipyard Bldg, 600 Luban Road, Huangpu District
Tel: 021 63089289
When: Mon-Fri, 9:00-11:00/13:00-16:00
How much: No cover
The only museum featuring 3 centuries worth of boat construction development and history, the star features here include China's recent marine technological developments and products.
SHANGHAI INSECTS MUSEUM
Address: 300 Fenglin Lu, near Xietu Lu, Xuhui District
Tel: 021 54924191 | 54924190
When: Daily, 9:00-16:30
How much: RMB 15 (adults) | RMB 10 (children)
This award-winning exhibition was termed "Star of Asia – British Museum", and houses a collection of Morpho Helena, the most beautiful butterfly in the world.
SHANGHAI WATERWORKS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM
Address: 830 Yangshupu Lu, Yangpu District
Tel: 021 65126789
When: Tue & Thu, 9:30-11:00/13:00-15:00
How much: No cover
Sitting on one of China's oldest natural water banks, this is a 3-storey tech gallery on water processing.
SHANGHAI ASTRONOMY MUSEUM
Address: Inside Sheshan Park, Waiqingsong Highway, Songjiang District
Tel: 021 57651723
When: Tue-Sun, 8:30-16:00
How much: RMB 12
Look through 40m long binoculars and appreciate the wonders of the sky.
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