Museum
Shanghai Natural History Museum
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The Shanghai Natural History Museum is one of the largest natural science museums in China. It moved to a purpose-built site in Jing'an Sculpture Park in 2015. The museum holds a collection of 240,000 samples, including animal and plant specimens, Stone Age artifacts, and minerals.
Don't miss
- A 140-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton of Mamenchisaurus hochuanensis, over four stories high
- Rare species including a Yellow River mammoth, giant salamander, giant panda, and Yangtze alligator
- Two mummies and several human embryos
- Over 62,000 animal specimens and 135,000 plant specimens
- 1,700 mineral specimens and 700 Stone Age specimens
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Shanghai Natural History Museum
You can visit Shanghai Natural History Museum on your own. A guide mainly adds context, what you are looking at and why it matters, and a tour can add transport or combine nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inShanghai Yu Garden Ticket Booking4★ · 17 travelers1-3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$12 per personSee dates →
Most bookedAuthentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai5★ · 1,570 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$79 per personSee dates →
Private & flexiblePrivate Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour with Shanghai Zoo and Panda5★ · 74 travelers6-8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$167 per personSee dates →Know before you go
- The museum is next to the Shanghai Natural History Museum metro station on Line 1.
- The museum is located inside Jing'an Sculpture Park.
A bit of history
The museum was established in 1956 in the Shanghai Cotton Exchange Building, a classical British structure built in 1923. That building was designated a Heritage Building in 1994. The museum moved to its current location in Jing'an Sculpture Park in 2015.
Common questions
How large is the museum?
The new building is 44,517 square meters.
What is the largest exhibit?
A 140-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton of Mamenchisaurus hochuanensis, which is over four stories high.
Are there any rare specimens?
Yes, including a Yellow River mammoth, giant salamander, giant panda, and Yangtze alligator.
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