The Shanghai History Museum is housed in the former Shanghai Race Club building, constructed in 1933 in the Art Deco style. During the colonial era, this was a gathering place for the British and international elite—hosting horse races, social receptions, and business negotiations. After 1949, the building served as a library, gymnasium, and even a casino before being converted into a museum in 2005.
Exhibition: Shanghai from Fishing Village to Metropolis
The museum covers 6,000 years of history through interactive exhibits, scale models, and archival materials. Key sections:
Ancient Shanghai (Before 1842)
• Reconstruction of a Ming Dynasty fishing village
• Maps of the Silk Road, where Shanghai was a key port
Colonial Period (1842–1949)
• Scale model of 1930s Bund with precise building replicas
• Authentic cabaret dancer costumes and bankers` suits
• Diorama of the Shanghai Ghetto (1941–1945)
Modern Shanghai (1990s–Present)
• Interactive map of Pudong’s development
• Photos of the first metro lines
Collection Highlights:
• 1932 Rolls-Royce owned by a Shanghai tycoon
• Panoramic cinema showing 1920s archival footage
• "Talking" wax figures (merchants, rickshaw pullers, cabaret stars)
Brief History of Shanghai: Key Milestones
1291: Established as a county town under the Yuan Dynasty.
1842: Became an international port after the First Opium War.
1920s–1930s: Golden age as the "Paris of the East" with Asia’s largest foreign community.
1949: Came under PRC control; businesses nationalized.
1990: Economic reforms began—Pudong transformed into a financial hub.
Visitor Information
Address: 325 West Nanjing Road (near People’s Park).
• Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (last entry 4:00 PM), open daily.
• Admission: Free (passport required).
• Tip: The 3rd-floor terrace offers views of the park and skyscrapers.
