Atrium of the Shanghai Museum · Photo: Lyn Gateley from Silicon Valley, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0
Suggested time
Half a day
Checked
2026-11-09
Mood
Art & collections
Region
Shanghai
Why go
For the permanent collection of Chinese art, go to Shanghai Museum East in Pudong, which the Shanghai government describes as having 20 galleries with bronzes, ceramics, jade, calligraphy and paintings.
The People’s Square building, the museum’s home since 1996, is currently given over to one exhibition on the civilizations of the Americas, ticketed and booked in advance. Which one you want decides the route, so we confirm it with you before the day.
Highlights
一Shanghai Museum East
二Chinese bronzes and ceramics
三People’s Square
People’s Square with the Shanghai Museum building at left · kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0Pavilion and pond in Yu Garden, Shanghai · Stefan Fussan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Top experiences
2 things to see and do in People’s Square & Shanghai Museum
Lyn Gateley from Silicon Valley, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0
一
Shanghai Museum East 上海博物馆东馆
The museum was established in 1952 and holds over 120,000 pieces, according to Wikipedia. Its East building at 1952 Century Avenue in Pudong shows the permanent galleries of bronzes, ceramics, jade, calligraphy and paintings, per the Shanghai government guide of 28 August 2025. The photo shows the atrium of the People’s Square building.
The museum’s original building stands on the south side of People’s Square. Until 14 November 2027 it holds the Americas exhibition on floors one to three, with its own ticket, and no other exhibitions, according to the museum’s press release of 9 July 2026.
Getting there
Shanghai Museum East is at 1952 Century Avenue in Pudong, entered through the B1 East Gate near Dingxiang Road, per the Shanghai government guide. The museum’s homepage lists East as open 10:00 to 18:00 and closed on Tuesdays except national holidays, with no booking needed for the permanent displays. The People’s Square building is open 9:00 to 17:00 and closed on Mondays except national holidays, and needs a ticket during the Americas exhibition. Hours change, so we re-check them before your date.
Key facts
Permanent galleries
Shanghai Museum East, 1952 Century Avenue, Pudong
People’s Square building
201 Renmin Avenue; Americas exhibition only, 9 Jul 2026 to 14 Nov 2027
Museum founded
1952
Current building
Inaugurated 12 October 1996
Collection
Over 120,000 pieces
East building
20 galleries (Shanghai government guide, Aug 2025)
Private tours
Journeys including People’s Square & Shanghai Museum
Where are the Shanghai Museum’s permanent galleries now?
At Shanghai Museum East, 1952 Century Avenue, Pudong. The People’s Square building is showing only the Americas exhibition from 9 July 2026 to 14 November 2027, per the museum’s press release.
How many pieces are in the Shanghai Museum?
Wikipedia says over 120,000 pieces. The Shanghai government guide counts 20 galleries at the East building.
When did the current Shanghai Museum building open?
It was inaugurated on 12 October 1996. Construction began in August 1993, per Wikipedia.
Practical guides
Travel guides for People’s Square & Shanghai Museum
