From the highly-prized Songjiang cloth during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to its contemporary high-tech advancements, the textile sector has often been hailed as Shanghai's "mother industry".

If you're interested in delving deeper into the city's textile industry, the Shanghai Textile Museum in the Putuo district is the best place to visit.

The museum boasts a collection of more than 20,000 artifacts, texts, and images – encapsulating over 6,000 years of textile history in the area.

It was established in 2009 on the original site of the Shenxin Textile No 9 Factory, which traces its roots back to 1878 as the Shanghai Machine Weaving Bureau – China's first modern mechanical cotton textile factory.

At the front of the museum, visitors are greeted by the Textile Soul bronze sculpture – symbolizing the intricate processes of the textile industry including weaving, printing and dyeing.

The Textile Soul bronze sculpture sits in front of the Shanghai Textile Museum. [Photo/Website of Putuo District Government]

Visitors can learn the historical progression of textiles in the region – including standout displays like the spinning scene of Huang Daopo (1245-1330), a pioneer in China's textile industry, and artifacts like imported teak furniture that was once owned by Li Hongzhang (1823-1901), a political heavyweight in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

The scene of Huang Daopo spinning in the Shanghai Textile Museum. [Photo/Shanghai Municipal Culture and Tourism Development Center]

The museum provides a unique perspective on Shanghai's rich textile legacy, inviting visitors to uncover its captivating history.

Address: No 128-150 Aomen Road, Putuo district

Open: Tuesdays to Sundays 9:30 am-4 pm; closed on Mondays and Chinese New Year holiday

Transport: Metro Line 13 Jiangning Road station

Service hotline: 021-6299-6969-101

Sources: Website of Putuo District Government, WeChat account of Shanghai Municipal Culture and Tourism Development Center