Shanghai Natural History Museum

As one of the biggest natural history museums in China, and a branch of Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, the Shanghai Natural History Museum is located in the Jing'an Sculpture Park, Jing'an District. It is constructed in the shape of a green spiral shell - technologically advanced and environmentally friendly. Covering a total area of 54,127 square yards (45,257 square meters), Shanghai Natural History Museum serves as an essential platform for popular science education and cultural exchange.
 The theme of Shanghai Natural History Museum  is people in harmony with nature and features the progress of evolution, the variety of life and the epic of human civilization. Along with some temporary display halls, a 4D theater and a Discovery Center, there are ten permanent exhibition halls, including Mystery of Origins, River of Life, the Next Wave, the Way of Evolution, Shanghai Story, Treasures on Earth, Colorful Lives, Mankind and Geology, Survival Wisdom and Diverse Ecologies.
 With two floors above and three floors underground, the Shanghai Natural History Museum consists of a total of five floors. Tourists are advised to start at the top floor and walk their way down to the last floor underground.

Mystery of Origins is situated on L2, where tourists can get a general idea of how the universe came into existence and enjoy meteorites.

River of Life is located on L1, where people can participate in a party of prehistoric and current creatures, and meet the biggest mammal in the world – the blue whale.

On B1 are the Way of Evolution and the Next Wave. Tourists can get acquainted with dinosaurs, and make an appointment with human ancestors. At the same time, they may ponder all the threats that industrialization and urbanization have brought about, and consider the green economy.

Shanghai Story is located on B2M and offers tourists a chance to know about the past, the present and the future of Shanghai.

On B2 are Treasures on Earth, Colorful Lives, Survival Wisdom, Mankind and Geology and Diverse Ecologies. Tourists can look for natural gold, silver, and other minerals. They can watch various creatures and imagine why the feet and beaks of birds differ from one another. Tourists can admire how creatures survive under extreme natural situations, and watch numerous beasts dash one after another in the African grassland. Meanwhile, they may gradually come to understand that mankind is closely related to the planet it evolved on.
 More than 11,000 models from seven continents are on display in Shanghai Natural History Museum with about one thousand specimens of rare species. The vibrant African grasslands are vividly reconstructed. Five immersive theaters present the great events in the history of evolution. 1,500 scientific pictures perfectly combine art with science. Moreover, 400 visual media and the online library system can accommodate growing public interest. The 359-square-yard (300-square-meter) farm exposes tourists to nature and the 1,435-square-yard (1,200-square-meter) exploration center provides people with an opportunity to observe, to experiment, and to discuss.

The Shanghai Natural History Museum has over 280,000 exhibits, which can be categorized into plants, animals, paleontology, geology and humanity. There are more than 150,000 plant specimens, over 4,000 mammal specimens, almost 33,000 insect specimens, more than 50,000 invertebrate specimens, over 5,000 geological specimens, over 8,000 paleontology specimens, and more than 3,500 human specimens, with the number of fish, bird, and amphibian specimens all exceeding 10,000.
  By metro:
Take metro line 13 and get off at Shanghai Natural History Museum stop. Leave from exit 1 and walk to the museum within 2 minutes.

 By bus:
1. Take bus 41, 104, 109, 301, 324, 927, or 955 and get off at Shimen Erlu Shanhaiguanlu Station.
2. Take bus 36, 253, 869, or 933 and get off at Chengdu Beilu Xinzhalu Station.
3. Take bus 19, 36, 64, 136, or 316 and get off at Xinzhalu Shimen Erlu Station.
Shanghai Bus / Metro Search
 

Tuesday to Sunday	9:00-17:15 (Tickets are sold from 9:00 to 16:30)
Monday (except public holidays in China)	Closed

 

over 18 years old	CNY 30
under 18 years old and more than 1.3 meters (4.3 feet)	CNY 12
under 18 years old and no more than 1.3 meters (4.3 feet)	Free

 Further Reading:
Top 10 Museums in Shanghai
15 Things to Do in Shanghai with Kids
8 Fun Things to Do in Shanghai with Family