Art Galleries • Speciality Museums
Changning
THE 10 BEST Shanghai History Museums
History Museums in Shanghai
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28 results sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Recommended Museum Tickets and Passes (5)
Revenue impacts these recommendations, learn more.
History Museums
History Museums
Gubei / Hongqiao / Minhang
History Museums
The Bund
Monuments & Statues • History Museums
Baoshan
History Museums
History Museums
Pudong
History Museums
Puxi (Downtown Shanghai)
History Museums
Jing'an
History Museums
Gubei / Hongqiao / Minhang
History Museums
Former French Concession
Speciality Museums • History Museums
History Museums
Qingpu
Speciality Museums • History Museums
History Museums
Former French Concession
History Museums
History Museums
Gubei / Hongqiao / Minhang
Speciality Museums • Parks
What travellers are saying
- schwoomSt Austell, UK11 contributionsThis is an astonishingly hard to find but wonderful exhibition with the man who collected the posters in residence. Once you get to the building, go in and turn left into the 726 area (there's a huge 726 on the wall). Take a lift to the 7th floor and follow the signs round to the left). It's a difficult topic for the authorities so expect to see bemused westerners wandering round wondering how to get to the venue. There's a shop too so don't worry about the photography ban, just accept you might have to spend a bit more than the 25rmb entry.Written 12 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- khalid k7 contributionsrespected Sir
All rare and valuable items are available for sale.
Hope you will definitely get in thanksWritten 31 December 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Jim1,514 contributionsIf you are interested in the history and development of Shanghai, this museum has ample exhibits that keep you engaged and is worthy of your time. It contains exhibits about the geology evolution of shanghai region, what is the origin of various names of shanghai (申，沪，上海)，the shanghai area at different historical period, how shanghai rapidly transformed itself after the Opinium War, how the local business and trademan act to develop Shanghai and its industry, how the communist party is founded in Shanghai and its early activities, Shanghai before and during the 2nd world war, and its development after the 1949.Written 28 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jo-AnnKuala Lumpur, Malaysia17,167 contributionsIt is a unique park. The highlight of this park would be the culture museum which is about 6 meters under the lake! It was super crowded but still manage to enjoy the park. There are a lot of empty buildings too which is a waste. I hope they’ll turn them into cafes or hotels.Written 8 October 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JillShanghaiShanghai, China1 contributionA nice museum about the history of Shanghai. Not many old things to see there, but different scenes of Old Shanghai. Still a nice visit with kids :)Written 22 March 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- KaijaShanghai, China117 contributionsShanghai Museum has two main sites (with a third North Campus opening soon). While the People's Square location is the most famous, the East Campus is by far the best and an absolute must-visit. I had the opportunity to visit twice—once in August and again in December—and was thoroughly impressed each time. The museum boasts an excellent atmosphere, an airy, modern layout that makes navigation a breeze, and thoughtfully curated exhibitions across its multistory building.
Pre-booking a visiting slot during the summer is essential due to the museum's popularity and appeal as a cool escape from the heat (and it is extremely hot in August). As a foreigner, booking through the official museum website requires a passport, and the process can be tricky—the system occasionally refuses to add additional guests, which can be frustrating. I recommend taking a screenshot of your booking code to streamline entry once you've secured your reservation. Be aware that your passport is also required on-site for entry.
The East Campus features small shops and eateries conveniently scattered throughout, adding to the overall comfort of the visit. The exhibitions are curated with exquisite beauty, offering a mix of permanent displays and paid temporary exhibitions that are worth the additional fee.
Both my visits focused on the paid exhibitions, which cannot be pre-booked as a foreigner but are easy to purchase on-site (Yuan 60) on the first gallery floor – a passport will be asked when purchasing. The Wallace Chan exhibition in August was marvellous, and the Cartier exhibition in December was equally impressive. Both offered English audio guides accessible via QR codes, which I found to be invaluable for a more enriching and informed experience.
The Shanghai Museum East Campus is a stunning cultural destination with something for everyone. From its exceptional exhibitions to its well-designed spaces, which include spacious galleries and comfortable rest areas, it's an experience not to be missed. Just remember to bring your passport for both booking and entry. I recommend a visit!Written 9 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Becky Nao KBerlin, Germany153 contributionsWe had a guided tour by a docent who knew the history and techniques related to the items on display. She also spoke excellent English. The museum is on an international level. The collection has choice pieces.Written 20 January 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TomeloulinQianjiang, China149 contributionsLike the title said, this is a private apartment, but also a famous apartment too.
The private is, this apartment was builted in 1930s, and always kept it original appearance like what it used to be - a private apartment.
The famous is, a Chinese writer Eileen Chang Reyher ever lived there.
I came in there was just for a memorial things, for a writer- Eileen Chang Reyher.
I feel glad- because the apartment is still here. I hope the old Shanghai's history can be keep and going on.Written 2 October 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - MuzzamuzzamuzzaWellington, New Zealand148 contributionsThe museum commemorates a battle in which Chinese troops fended off the Japanese for four days in 1937 while the international community watched on from across the river. The event was made into a recent movie called "The Eight Hundred". The museum is inside the actual warehouse and uses a variety of multimedia to tell the story of the lead-up to the battle and the events that took place during it. The exhibits were very professionally done and the variety (not just photos and words) made it interesting to look at. The museum is free to enter. Qufu Road is the nearest metro station.Written 9 January 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ererapSeattle, WA32 contributionsNo.55-1 Puhuitang Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai
Getting there: Subway Line # 11, station Shanghai Indoor Stadium / Xujiahui
Tushanwan / Tousewe museum (I am not sure which is the definite spelling) was an orphanage established in 1864 by Jesuits. They trained the orphans there western art, including painting, sculpturing, print, and press. According to the museum’s info, this became the “cradle of western artists in China”; it educated “generations of well-known artists in China”; it is the “source of modern art in China as well as of its arts and crafts, pioneering many breakthroughs in the history of Chinese crafts”. It also states that while printing was one of the great inventions of China in 1867, Tousewe Press introduced new press technologies throughout its existence and was the pioneer of modern printing in China and was one of the most important publication outlets in China.
Introducing and training the Chinese in western art, the Jesuits also incorporated some Chinese art and the combination of Chinese-Western art is the focus of the current Tushanwan / Tousewe museum.
The museum is located in a lovely building and we found the exhibition to be very interesting.Written 14 April 2014This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Andrew M7,589 contributionsWe tried to visit this museum a few years ago, and were disappointed when it was closed due to improvements for the 70th anniversary of the end of WW2 .We took the subway Line 3 (Yellow Line) to Youyi Road, and then took a taxi to the museum. The museum is difficult to find, so it may be best to take a taxi from the subway station.There were a few exhibits in the park outside the museum, including peace doves, peace bell, memorial park and a few sculptures. It may be best to visit the external displays firstly before going into the museum.
The museum has free entry, but tickets are required from the ticket office. Remember to take passports as identification will be requested. There are quite a few halls dedicated to varying themes, but the central theme is the battle of Shanghai. The Baoshan area saw the heaviest fighting, and we had visited the nearby martyrs memorial on our previous visit.This was the first real stand by the Chinese against the Japanese, and it resulted in an estimated 300,000 casualties for the Chinese and an estimated 40,000 for the Japanese. This statistic shows the great loss of life on the Chinese side, which was a feature of the war against Japan. The Japanese marched onto Nanjing after the Shanghai Battle.
The museum also has exhibits on the atrocities carried out by the Japanese, including mass graves, massacres, biological weapons and the use of Chinese women for comfort. The themes in the museum are repeated throughout other military museums in China.The exhibits were well presented, but there was not as much english translation as was expected.We were disappointed at not being able to use the elevator in the Pagoda, as in the old museum the view of the battlefield areas from the tower was one of the main parts of the tour. I hope that the Pagoda section will be reopened soon.Written 19 August 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - sureshbabu2017Shanghai, China97 contributionsThe excavation is about a Water Gate built during the Yuan period, an example of ancient chinese civil engineering for water conservation project. As the foreword at the entrance mentions this excavation was one of the top ten new archaeological discoveries in China during the year 2006. Take Metro Line 7 and get down at Xincun station to reach this museum. The admission is free. Inside, the functioning of the water gate is well explained by models. The light animation projection displays the construction techniques used for building the water gate.Written 16 March 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
