In recent years, Shanghai has renovated several old mansions in its downtown, repurposing these historic structures into new public spaces for culture, business, leisure, and art. Among these, notable locations such as Zhangyuan — a complex of 13 historical buildings in downtown Jing'an district — the Sinan Mansions, and Rong Zhai have been transformed into art spaces that host exhibitions that are not to be missed.

Here is a list of ongoing exhibitions at these old mansions:

E. Scape Art Space on Wukang Road

Exhibition: Charles Guo's first solo exhibition, Colors and Light: Photographic Journey of Tanzania

This exhibition showcases 25 photos in specially named halls that correspond to the light effects and elements of the works. The journey begins in the Light Room on the 1st floor before extending to the lush garden outside, offering a glimpse of Tanzania's natural beauty and emotions. The Night Room on the 3rd floor uses night lights to depict nighttime scenes. Next is the Pink Room—a blend of dream and reality, which expresses hope for future travels.

Date: Until May 26

Address: No 3, Alley 40, Wukang Road, Xuhui district

Zhangyuan

Exhibition: Special exhibition of precious manuscripts from renowned Chinese figures in the humanities and science fields.

Through images and handwriting, this exhibition showcases the thoughts and ideologies of these experts, thus broadening the scope of role models for the public.

Zhangyuan, with its 13 exquisite historical buildings, is celebrated as the cradle of Shanghai culture and spirit and is now a popular destination for tourism and shopping.

Date: Until June 16

Address: Zhangyuan W8-1AB (public entry from No. 210, Maoming North Road)

Bund 18 Jiushi Art Gallery

Exhibition: The Spirit of Anatta: Sculpture Exhibition of Yang Dongbai & Shi Jinsong

This exhibition is a significant part of Shanghai's sculpture showcases this year, as it celebrates Chinese traditional philosophy and the harmony between people and art.

Date: Until June 23

Address: 2nd Floor, No 18 East Zhongshan First Road

The Time Zone Gallery at Sinan Mansions

Exhibition: Lacquer Technique over the Century, the Heritage of Families

This exhibition highlights the enduring appeal of using light brown lacquer on everyday items, which is utilized and appreciated in both traditional and modern artworks. 

The Sinan Mansions, once a collection of 51 garden houses that were built in the 1920s and 1930s, exemplify Shanghai’s shift towards modern residential buildings.

Date: Until May 26

Address: No 1, Alley 523, Fuxing Middle Road, Huangpu district

Rong Zhai 

Exhibition: Belgian artist Michaël Borremans' inaugural solo exhibition, The Promise

Borremans is widely acclaimed among his contemporaries for his distinctive portrayal of the tension between portraiture and expression in his works. This exhibition uniquely bridges the gap between the historic building and the artist's paintings, creating a captivating contrast. Between the ambiance of the old villa space and the emotive complexity conveyed in Borremans' art, this exhibition is not to be missed.

Originally commissioned for the esteemed Yung Tsoong-King family about a century ago, Rong Zhai stands as one of Shanghai's premier Western-style garden villas. In 2011, the globally renowned fashion house Prada, in collaboration with renovation specialist Roberto Baciocchi, spearheaded the transformation of this historic mansion into a versatile cultural hub that is now open to the public.

Date: Until June 9 

Address: No 186 Shanxi North Road, Jing'an district.

Source: WeChat account "Shanghai Tourism"