Nestled along the scenic Huangpu River, the WorldSkills Museum is the first of its kind in the world dedicated to vocational skills.

Originally a textile warehouse from the 1920s, the museum has been transformed while preserving its historic charm.

This renovation breathes new life into the century-old structure. Today, it functions as a skills exhibition center, a platform for international skills cooperation and exchange, a youth skills education base, and an official documentation center.

The museum features six core exhibition areas: Tools and Our World, Celebrating a Successful Global Movement, Skills Development and China, Building a Better World with Skills, Skills and STEM, and Skills and the Industrial Revolution.

A total of 2,000 artifacts offer visitors a rich tapestry of human ingenuity and progress.

Spanning four floors, the museum provides a diverse array of experiences.

The first floor centers around the must-see art installation World Engine, which uses dynamic lights and shadows to showcase the limitless possibilities of human skill development.

On the second floor, traditional crafts are given a modern twist, featuring three large LED screens depicting the history of skill development in China, alongside a replica of a high-speed train control panel in a Fuxing train simulator cockpit.

The third floor spotlights skill innovation and sustainable development, with interactive installations such as a holographic projection of a Mars base and an electronic mural created with spray gun graffiti.

The fourth floor is a vibrant interactive playground, where activities like DIY car spraying, AI digital window design, and traditional woodworking enable visitors to learn practical skills.

If you go

Location: No 1578 Yangshupu Road, Yangpu district

Public transport: Exit 2, Danyang Road Station, Metro Line 18

Visiting hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm, with the last entry at 4:30 pm. Closed on Mondays, except during public holidays.

Admission: Free

Contact numbers: 021-5578-2068 or 021-5578-2166 (available from 9 am to 5 pm)

Email: service@worldskillsmuseum.cn

Reservations: For groups of 10 or more, please make a reservation through the WeChat mini program (Search for "世界技能博物馆"). Visitors without a WeChat account can also make an appointment via the above email.

To stay updated on the latest events and exhibitions, follow the official WeChat account via "worldskillsmuseum".

Special exhibition

Until Oct 12, the museum is hosting the Digital Exhibition of Yuanmingyuan: Reviving the Skills in Memory. This immersive VR experience invites visitors to explore the history of the ruins of Yuanmingyuan, also known as the Old Summer Palace.

Attendees can witness firsthand the breathtaking splendor of this Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) imperial garden at its peak, vividly bringing its historical grandeur to life.

• Ticket prices: 88 yuan ($12.26) to 98 yuan
• Tickets can be purchased via the official WeChat account or mini program.

(Updated on Aug 5, 2025)

Sources: WorldSkills Museum, WeChat account of Yangpu district news center at "shanghai-yangpu"