The 2026 Shanghai Tourism Festival summer season runs from July 8 through Aug 31, bringing 170 culture, tourism, and lifestyle activities to venues across the city.

This guide highlights museums and heritage sites, featuring major exhibitions on ancient civilizations of the Americas, Mawangdui Han tomb treasures, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) court culture, and more. A museum and heritage pass is also available, linking multiple exhibitions and cultural tourism venues.

On Top of the World Tree: Ancient Civilizations of the Americas

Opening July 9, this exhibition is a collaboration with leading museums in Mexico and Peru. It brings together nearly 3,000 artifacts in 1,129 groups, presenting one of the largest and most comprehensive exhibitions on ancient American civilizations.

• When: July 9, 2026, to Nov 14, 2027
• Where: 1F-3F galleries, Shanghai Museum on People's Square, Huangpu district
• Tickets: Real-name ticketing is required. Tickets are available through the Shanghai Museum WeChat mini program, the Ctrip app and an on-site ticket counter at Shanghai Museum on People's Square. International visitors can purchase tickets through Trip.com.

A House of Nobility: Aesthetics and Cultivation of Life in the Mawangdui Han Tombs

This exhibition features treasures unearthed from the Mawangdui Han tombs in Hunan province, including several national treasures prohibited from being exhibited overseas.

Through silk textiles, lacquerware, bamboo slips, and manuscripts, visitors can gain a glimpse of aristocratic life in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) and appreciate the refined aesthetics of the period.

• When: July 3 to Oct 7
• Where: China Art Museum (Shanghai Art Museum), Pudong New Area
• Tickets: Available through the "马王堆上海大展千金之家 (Mawangdui Shanghai Exhibition)" WeChat account, Hu Xiaoyou (沪小游), Maoyan, and other platforms.

Imperial Colours: Qing Dynasty Court Costumes from the Palace Museum

Co-organized by the World Expo Museum and the Palace Museum, this exhibition features imperial costumes, jewelry, and accessories from the Qing Dynasty.

Approximately 90 percent of the exhibits have never been shown outside Beijing, and over 30 percent are being shown to the public for the first time. Visitors can experience the artistry and splendor of Chinese court craftsmanship.

• When: July 7 to Oct 7
• Where: World Expo Museum, Huangpu district
• Tickets: Available through the World Expo Museum WeChat account.

Qing Elegance: Cultural Relics from the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong Reigns

Presented by Minhang Museum in partnership with 14 institutions including the National Museum of China and the Capital Museum, this exhibition features more than 120 artifacts from the reigns of three Qing emperors: Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong.

It offers a closer look at the rulers behind the court rituals, revealing a more personal side of imperial life.

• When: July 3 to Oct 25
• Where: Minhang Museum, Minhang district
• Admission: Free

Shanghai Museum Pass

The pass links museums, exhibitions and cultural tourism sites, allowing visitors to explore multiple venues with a single ticket and experience Shanghai-style culture and intangible cultural heritage.

• When: July 8 to Oct 6
• Tickets: Available through the Hu Xiaoyou WeChat mini program.

Sources: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, museums mentioned above