Shanghai Natural History Museum (Jing'an)

The Shanghai Natural History Museum in Jing'an is a vast, modern museum housed in a striking green building shaped like a nautilus shell. Inside, you'll find 11 floors of exhibits covering everything from ancient dinosaur fossils and taxidermy specimens to interactive displays on human evolution and biodiversity. The museum's centerpiece is a towering cast of a Mamenchisaurus skeleton, which greets visitors in the atrium. Other highlights include a hall of marine life, a butterfly garden, and a section on the wildlife of China. The museum is well-organized and family-friendly, with clear signage in both Chinese and English. It's a popular destination for school groups and tourists alike, so expect crowds on weekends and holidays. The building itself is a work of architecture, with a green wall and a large glass atrium that lets in natural light.

Don't miss

• See the massive Mamenchisaurus skeleton in the main atrium
• Explore the Hall of Ancient Life with dinosaur fossils and prehistoric creatures
• Visit the butterfly garden and observe live specimens
• Check out the taxidermy dioramas of African and Asian wildlife
• Learn about human evolution in the interactive 'From Ape to Man' exhibit

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Shanghai Natural History Museum (Jing'an)

Cheapest way inShanghai Yu Garden Ticket Booking4★ · 17 travelers1–3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$12 per personSee dates →Best full dayZhujiajiao Water Town and Shanghai City Private Day Tour5★ · 1,090 travelers~8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$246 per personSee dates →Private & flexiblePrivate Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour with Shanghai Zoo and Panda5★ · 74 travelers6–8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$167 per personSee dates →

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Know before you go

• Allow at least 2 hours to see the main exhibits; the museum is larger than it looks.
• Large bags and backpacks must be checked at the cloakroom near the entrance.
• Photography is allowed in most areas, but flash is prohibited near fragile specimens.
• Audio guides are available in English, Chinese, and other languages.

A bit of history

The museum originated from the collections of the Shanghai Museum and the former Shanghai Natural History Museum, which was founded in 1956. The current building in Jing'an opened in 2015, replacing an older location on Yan'an Road.