Shanghai's museums are offering diverse new exhibits for all to enjoy, from Western art to ancient Chinese relics.

 

An Encounter with Beauty, William Morris and the British Arts and Crafts Movement

This year marks the 190th anniversary of the birth of William Morris (1834-96), the renowned 19th-century English textile designer and artist. This art pioneer is considered highly influential in reshaping the way society saw artisans. The exhibition features 123 selected treasures from the Victoria and Albert Museum in the United Kingdom.

Time: Dec 13 to April 6, 2025

Venue: World Expo Museum

Location: No 818 Mengzi Road, Huangpu district

Open: 9 am–5 pm, closed on Mondays

Ticket price: free

 

China and Beyond in the Eyes of Marco Polo

This exhibition presents precious archival materials and archaeological discoveries that speak to the historical dialogue between Eastern and Western civilizations. It brings together 204 pieces of fine collections from 28 cultural institutions in regions including Venice, Rome, and Florence, as well as domestic museums, giving audiences a comprehensive look at the stories of cultural exchange between China and the world during Marco Polo's era.

Time: Ongoing until March 30, 2025

Venue: Shanghai Museum on People's Square

Location: No 201 People's Avenue, Huangpu district

Open: 9 am–5 pm, closed on Mondays

Ticket price: free

 

Wuhan Museum Jade Exhibition

This exhibition showcases over 100 exquisite jade artifacts from the Wuhan Museum in Hubei province, spanning from ancient times to the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). With a rich variety and superior quality, visitors can feel the sanctity and exquisiteness of ancient jade artifacts.

Time: Dec 27 to March 2, 2025

Venue: Shanghai History Museum

Location: No 325 West Nanjing Road, Huangpu district

Open: 9 am–5 pm, closed on Mondays

Ticket price: free

 

Han Dynasty Arcadia — Han Dynasty in the Relief Carvings of Wu Liang Shrine

This exhibition focuses on the rubbings of relief carvings from the Wu Liang Shrine, a treasure of the Shanghai Arts Collection Museum. It aims to recreate the material and spiritual life of the Han Dynasty, portraying the humanistic scenes of the era. Following the themes of clothing, food, housing, and transportation, the exhibition depicts the Han people's care for life and their gaze upon heaven and earth.

Time: Ongoing until Dec 25

Venue: Shanghai Arts Collection Museum

Location: No 1731 West Yan'an Road, Changning district, within Tianshan Park

Open: 9 am–5 pm, closed on Mondays

Ticket price: free

 

Splendid and Colorful — Zhou Zhanxian's Shen Embroidery Art Exhibition

Shen embroidery is a national-level intangible cultural heritage skill that evolved from ancient Su techniques. The exhibition is divided into sections such as Figures, Landscape, Flowers and Birds, Crafts, and Heritage, showcasing 55 sets of 79 exquisite works by Zhou Zhanxian, the fourth-generation inheritor of Shen embroidery, and his successor, Zhang Tianchi. These works, with diverse themes and styles, demonstrate the unique realistic techniques of Shen embroidery.

Time: Ongoing until Jan 5, 2025

Venue: Pudong History Museum

Location: No 18 Wenshi Street, Huinan town, Pudong New Area

Open: 9 am–4 pm, closed on Mondays

Ticket price: free

 

Lingering Fragrance of Yellow Flowers — An Exhibition Commemorating Chinese Labor Corps in WWI & Related Archaeological Works

Set against the backdrop of World War I, this exhibition covers the outstanding contributions of over 300,000 Chinese laborers who traveled to the battlefields of Europe in the name of victory, world peace, and the modernization of the Chinese nation. The exhibition follows the personal experiences of Sun Gan as its narrative thread, connecting individuals with history. It utilizes a total of 86 pieces, including physical objects, documents, and multimedia technologies, to recreate the historical events from a century ago, exploring the life trajectories and cultural imprints of the Chinese laborers amid the smoke of war.

Time: Ongoing until March 15, 2025

Venue: Shanghai University Museum

Location: 333 Nanchen Road, Baoshan district

Open: Monday to Sunday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Ticket price: free (Non-school visitors need to present ID for entry)

 

Splendor of Chinese Music — An Exhibition of Exquisite Traditional Instruments

Structured around the classification of Chinese musical instruments into blowing, plucking, string, and percussion, this exhibition showcases 29 instruments such as the drum, clapper, and bamboo flute. It interprets the structural characteristics, playing styles, and historical and cultural significance of these instruments.

Time: Ongoing until May 2025

Venue: Museum of Pudong Airport

Location: Terminal 2, Shanghai Pudong International Airport

Ticket price: free

 

Sources: WeChat account of Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism at "shanghaitourism", Victoria and Albert Museum, venues mentioned above