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5 Unmissable Museums to visit in Shanghai

The City of Shanghai is the biggest city in China, boasting a blended culture of the East and West. Itis a progressive city that attracts many tourists, and is ranked together with New York and Â鶹APP in terms of modernity. Coupled with its famous historical landmarks, museums are a large attraction. Here are 5 unmissable museums to visit in Shanghai.

1. Shanghai Museum of Glass

Making an item from glass- by Tony Hisgett- Wikimedia Commons

You definitely will not be throwing any rocks in this glasshouse. The Shanghai Museum of Glass is one of a kind as it is not what you would typically expect in a museum- it showcases ancient China glass making, sparing no expense as the skills, material, and workmanship required for glass making, China style, is demonstrated.  This museum offers a fresh perspective on the cultural scene.

Intricate pieces made out of glass are on display- not what you will find at the usual museum. The Shanghai Museum of Glass is stationed in a repurposed glass-making factory.

You may want to pass by the store at the museum to pick up keepsakes such as glass trinkets, wine glasses, and other items from the glass factory. You can also have a go at the glass blowing technique of making glass items at this museum.

2. Shanghai Natural History Museum

Shanghai Natural History Museum- by Another Believer- Wikimedia Commons

You shouldn’t pass on the opportunity to visit one of Shanghai’s best museums! The Shanghai Natural History Museum is rich in various permanent exhibits, temporary displays, and 4D educational films. This means you can enjoy different things at a time.

The Shanghai Natural History Museum’s Mystery of Origins exhibit attempts to explain how the universe came about, while the Shanghai Story looks at Shanghai’s past, present, and future. The museum also has over 11,000 models on display at the Natural History Museum. If you love nature the Shanghai Natural History Museum will enthrall you.

This Museum sits on an extravagant space that houses exhibit spaces, a 4D theater, an outdoor exhibit garden, and a 30-meter tall atrium which is an attraction all by itself- it has a striking glass wall whose inspiration is the cellular structure of plants and animals. The lighting here is spectacular.

3. Shanghai Science & Technology Museum

Shanghai Science and Technology Museum- by Greg Peterson- Wikimedia Commons

With the many advances in technology all over the world, the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum gives completely unique insights at science and technology in Shanghai and China. This museum is very interactive- you are unlikely to get bored on your visit here.  Between the exhibits of Space Navigation, model rockets, and spacesuits there is a lot of science and technology to absorb. The museum will have you spoilt for choice from its 11 exhibition areas open to the public. If traveling with children, the Children’s Techno land within the museum will have them excited to have some science fun.

Natural scenery and ecosystems of the Yunnan province demonstrated at the Museums Spectrum of Life is ideal for the nature lover. Moreover Light of Wisdom exhibit also at the museum that showcases interactive exhibits that explain the basic rules of light and physics will have you mesmerized.

4. The Shanghai Typewriter Museum

An Underwood brand typewriter- by Xavier Caré- Wikimedia Commons

The Shanghai Typewriter Museum is only the third typewriter museum in the world. A free visit to the museum shall be worth your while, taking into account the fact that this piece of equipment became obsolete when the computer checked in yet was a game-changer during its time. The museum boasts hundreds of typewriters, mostly antiques collected wide world. You might be able to see typewriters older than yourself at this museum!

From the nearly 300 typewriters at the museum, there are 32 brands and 14 languages from Britain, France, Germany, the United States, Italy, and other countries. Be on the lookout for the oldest typewriter at the museum that was made in 1809.

Besides viewing the pieces, you will be able to learn the history of the typewriter, some that can be traced back to the late 19^th century- how it works technologically and how it got to Shanghai China, as well as the development of Chinese typewriters in Shanghai.

The only other two typewriter museums are the British Museum and the Museum of Lausanne. Shanghai has Chinese Czech businessman Lu Hanbin to thank for putting together this amazing typewriter museum.

5. The Shanghai Chopsticks Museum

Black and gold Chopsticks- by Alpha- Wikimedia Commons

Chopsticks originally from China are in use all over the world. The mastery of its use is however not worldwide!  The first chopsticks were created about 4,000 years ago, perhaps from twigs.

Though the smallest, Shanghai has a chopsticks museum that holds a collection of chopsticks. In a shared space that is super cold, an 81-year-old writer, Lan Xiang proudly displays a large varied collection of chopsticks collected from his travel all over China.

An attraction at this museum is a pair of gold plated silver chopsticks from the Tang Dynasty. Xiang displays at least 2,000 chopsticks!

These 5 unmissable museums to visit in Shanghai delve into the history and culture of the city of Shanghai and China by extension, as they also captivate with the interesting composition of items and places to see.