Power Station of Art
Established in 2012, the Power Station of Art (PSA) is mainland China’s first state-run contemporary art museum. With the vast Huangpu River as its backdrop, the museum occupies the former Nanshi power plant, hence its name. However, unlike most renovated industrial museums in the city, the PSA embraces its utilitarian architecture, making patrons feel like they’re in on something special when they walk its halls. Space plays host to a series of visiting exhibitions and always has something new and worthwhile.
☞ 200 Huayuangang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China
Shanghai Natural History Museum
Taking up a space of 40,000 square meters in central Jing’an district, the Shanghai Natural History Museum delights with nearly 200,000 specimen samples from animals, plants, minerals, and Stone Age fragments. The museum also hosts rare or extinct animal species native to China, such as a Yellow River mammoth, a Yangtze alligator, and a giant panda. And, of course, there are dinosaurs.
☞ 399 Shanhaiguan Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai, China
China Maritime Museum
China has more of a maritime past than most people realize. In fact, Zheng He, one of the world’s greatest explorers, hailed from China, and it is a spectacular architectural interpretation of one of his ships that serves as the centerpiece for the museum. Unsurprisingly, the museum is primarily dedicated to detailing China’s major nautical developments, but the model boats, historical shipping relics, interactive knot-tying activity, and 4D theater will ensure that this museum is anything but a snooze fest.
☞ 197 Shengang Ave, Pudong District, Shanghai, China
Shanghai Science and Technology Museum
The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is split into two wings: one that seems to be devoted to questionable taxidermy and another that features interactive exhibits on computing, robotics, cells, space travel, and other cutting edge science. This is a great museum for families with kids or for adults who like to geek out over the latest scientific advances.
☞ 2000 Century Avenue, Pudong District, Shanghai, China
The Shanghai Museum of Glass
Located in the outer district of Baoshan, the Shanghai Museum of Glass is a worthwhile day-trip for anyone interested in the relationship between art and functionality. Housed in a renovated factory along an unremarkable street, this unique museum is filled with surprises, from the daily glass blowing demonstrations to the stained glass chapel. In addition to a series of regular and temporary exhibits, there are also interactive areas for the kids, and well, the adults too if we’re being honest.
☞ 685 Changjiang W Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai, China
Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center
Urban planning doesn’t whip most people into a frenzy, but the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center consistently draws a large crowd due to its large scale model of the entirety of Shanghai that shows all planned and recent developments. This six-story building located in People’s Square provides visitors a detailed look at the evolution of one of the world’s most dynamic cities. It’s hard to predict what Shanghai will do next, but perhaps this museum will give you a clue.
☞100 Renmin Ave, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China