Shanghai Museum: A Treasure Trove of Chinese History and Art

Introduction

The Shanghai Museum houses over 120,000 priceless artifacts, showcasing a vast collection of historical relics from various dynasties. The museum is particularly renowned for its impressive collections of ancient bronze, pottery, ceramics, calligraphy, and painting. Among its most famous treasures are the Western Zhou “Da Ke Ding” (a large ceremonial bronze vessel), the Spring and Autumn “Zi Zhong Jiang Pan” (a bronze disk), the Tang Dynasty’s “Gao Yi Tu” (a famous painting), and the East Jin Dynasty’s “Ya Tou Wan Tie” (a calligraphic work by Wang Xianzhi). These masterpieces are widely recognized as national treasures, cherished both domestically and internationally.

The Ancient Chinese Bronzes Gallery features the Da Ke Ding, along with other rare items like the Spring and Autumn “Chi Zun” (a bronze vessel) and the Zi Zhong Jiang Pan. In the Ancient Ceramics Gallery, visitors can admire exquisite pieces such as the Shang Dynasty primitive green porcelain, Tang Dynasty “Yue Kiln” magnolia-style bowl, and Song Dynasty Ru kiln plates. The Ancient Calligraphy Gallery includes works by the famous calligraphers Wang Xizhi, such as the “Shangyu Tie”, and his son Wang Xianzhi’s “Ya Tou Wan Tie”, along with Emperor Huizong of Song’s slender gold calligraphy in “Qian Zi Wen”. The Ancient Paintings Gallery displays masterpieces such as “Gao Yi Tu” by Tang Dynasty’s Sun Wei, “Summer Mountain Scroll” by Dong Yuan from the Five Dynasties period, and “Eight Great Monks Story” by Liang Kai from the Song Dynasty.

Additionally, the museum houses galleries dedicated to ancient sculpture art, featuring Buddhist statues, as well as exhibits showcasing ethnic minority crafts, jade, Ming and Qing Dynasty furniture, and imperial seals and ancient coins. The Seal and Coin Galleries are among the largest of their kind in China. The museum also regularly hosts special exhibitions, often featuring domestic and international relics, artworks, and calligraphy.

Operating Hours

• Tuesday to Sunday: 09:00 – 17:00
• Monday: Closed
• Chinese New Year (Spring Festival): Open 09:00 – 17:00, with a daily limit of 8,000 visitors.
• Exhibit Reservation: Each night, the museum accepts 3,000 reservations for timed visits to exhibitions.

For the most up-to-date information, please check the official website or announcements.