Shanghai Museum East is the new wing of Shanghai Museum. Shanghai Museum East will host a special Sanxingdui exhibition that runs till May 20. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The ancient Chinese bronze gallery within Shanghai Museum East, the new wing of Shanghai Museum, is set to open on Feb 2.

"Our East venue will put on the most comprehensive display of the history of ancient Chinese art. We will also highlight the characteristics of Jiangnan and Shanghai-style cultures with thematic exhibitions. We expect the new venue to become a critical cultural window for the world to learn about China," said Chu Xiaobo, the director of Shanghai Museum, at the news briefing on Monday.

Chu pointed out that the construction of Shanghai Museum East in Pudong, which started in September 2017, will be sped up so that it will be fully complete by 2024. The new wing is expected to be opened to the public in three phases, with the first being the ancient Chinese bronze gallery.

Shanghai Museum East is the new wing of Shanghai Museum. Shanghai Museum East will host a special Sanxingdui exhibition that runs till May 20. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The gallery will feature over 500 pieces of bronzeware that depict the development and evolution of ancient Chinese bronzes over 3,600 years, from the late Xia Dynasty (c. 21st century-16th century BC) to the middle of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

The new gallery will host a special Sanxingdui exhibition that runs till May 20. This exhibition will be the largest and most high-profile showcase of Sanxingdui artifacts outside Sichuan province, where the Sanxingdui archaeological site is located. Some of the 363 artifacts on show were restored by Shanghai Museum.

Shanghai Museum East will also host a digital art exhibition themed on Sanxingdui as well. This exhibition will offer visitors an immersive and interactive experience that allow them to learn more about the archaeological excavation cabins used at the Sanxingdui site.

Shanghai Museum East is the new wing of Shanghai Museum. Shanghai Museum East will host a special Sanxingdui exhibition that runs till May 20. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The second phase of Shanghai Museum East will be opened before the end of June before the launch of the final phase, which is expected to take place by the end of November.

Visitors have been advised to make reservations seven days in advance via Shanghai Musuem's WeChat mini-program.

Shanghai Museum will also have a new North venue in the coming years. This new wing, which is expected to be completed during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, will have a special focus on ancient ships.