1 Day Shanghai Museum Tour – Unveil The Historical and Cultural City of Shanghai

Today you will spend the entire day exploring the top museums of Shanghai. You will experience the perfect blend of the East and West in this “Paris of the East” by visiting brilliant museums, traditional Chinese streets, and ancient buildings.

In the morning, you will meet your guide early at the appointed time in your hotel lobby and be ready to introduce Shanghai to you. Your first stop will be at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center. Located in the city center, this modern museum provides an excellent introduction to Shanghai’s rapid transformation from a small port town to a global metropolis. Set over five levels, it is divided into four main theme halls: “Entrance Hall“, “City of Culture,” “City of Innovation,” “City of Ecology,” and the multimedia display hall on the fifth floor. After more than a year of renovation, the museum now features cutting-edge technology such as VR, AR, holographic imaging, and a 5D digital urban sandbox, allowing you to immerse yourself in the past, present, and future of Shanghai.

The 1st floor features a panoramic screen that showcases “Impressions of Shanghai”. The west side shows Shanghai’s six rounds of master urban planning since 1931. Entering the 2nd floor, you’ll encounter intricate and detailed models that represent various facets of Shanghai, including its urban fabric, architectural style, 15-minute community life circles, each worth a closer look. You can also engage with AR experiences via iPads. Additionally, a “City Laboratory” allows visitors to role-play as urban planners and see the simulation effect of planning intuitively, offering an educational and interactive chance to learn urban planning. The 3rd floor is filled with a sense of technology and the future. The highlight here is the 5D immersive digital sandbox. You can choose different city districts or use a joystick to “roam” around the city blocks, feeling as if you’re flying. Step into the 4th floor, a blue “river” flows from west to east on the ground. Sturgeons and crabs are just beneath your feet. The sand table demonstrates the process of Shanghai’s land formation from 20,000 to 2,000 years ago. If you need a break, the M floor features a creative zone, reading area, and coffee shop. Enjoy a warm cup of coffee while sitting in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, taking in the beauty of the city.

Later, move to Shanghai Propaganda Poster Atr Centre (PPAC). Shanghai has numerous museums, and the Shanghai PPAC (上海宣传画艺术中心), known as the most hidden museum, has been recommended by Lonely Planet and was once listed by Trip Advisor as one of the “Top Ten Museums in China“. This privately owned museum houses a collection of over 6,000 propaganda posters from China’s 20th century, spanning from 1913 to 1997. With cheerful slogans, red guards, and much more featured throughout the posters laid out chronologically in the gallery, this museum is a must-visit for those who want to delve into China’s recent history. From the influence of the 1930s Shanghai calendar girl posters (月份牌) on some of these 1950s posters to the Big Leap Forward and Cold War posters of the later 1950s and early 1960s, you can appreciate several intriguing creations of folk art painting. The change to the red-art style of the Cultural Revolution, with its violent and militaristic themes, is a sudden shift that leaves readers with a lasting impression of the prevailing mood at that time. Created by Yang Peiming (杨培明) in 1995, the museum aims to “preserve a piece of history” by collecting and organizing propaganda posters from different periods in China. Yang states, “No other country has produced such a vast number of beautiful propaganda posters as China.” Each poster is not only an artwork but also a reflection of the historical context of its time.

Notes:
1. Please note that the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall (located near the Shanghai Museum) closed on Wednesdays. You can visit Shanghai Museum (closed on Mondays) instead. Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center closed on Mondays. We are always flexible and want to ensure you with the best experience.
2. Please feel free to contact our travel consultant in advance to discuss and make arrangements, as many museums and sites require advance ticket bookings. Thank you for your understanding.

After lunch, transfer to Xintiandi, a bustling place that seamlessly blends Shikumen architecture with modern urban fashion style. It offers a comprehensive introduction to the local Shikumen (stone-gate house) architecture, along with enticing dining and shopping options. This upscale entertainment and shopping complex is modeled on traditional “Long Tang” (alleyway) homes and stands as the pioneering development in the city, demonstrating the commercial viability of preserving historical architecture. 

Then, take a leisurely stroll along Tianzifang (Taikang Road), the most authentic Shanghai-style lane with a bourgeois atmosphere. Here, you’ll find old alleyways, cozy bars, cafes, rooftop restaurants, artist studios, and various creative boutiques. It is filled with the essence of old Shanghai, featuring a variety of traditional shops selling vintage pocket watches, qipao dresses, paper fans, snowflake cream, and more. It is the perfect place to truly experience the unique charm of life in the alleyways of old Shanghai.

Then, it is time to end your 1-day Shanghai Museum Tour. Your guide will escort you to your hotel. Or head to the airport/train station for your flight or high-speed train to your next destination.

Thank you for choosing HelloChinaTrip for your Shanghai tour. We are always dedicated to serving you and look forward to welcoming you again for your future trips in China/Asia.