As a museum of ancient Chinese art, Shanghai Museum possesses a collection of 120,000 precious works of art. Its rich and high-quality collection of ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy is specially celebrated in the world. Founded and first open to the public in 1952, the museum developed very quickly in aspects of acquisition, conservation, research, exhibition, education and cultural exchanges with other institutes. Its unique architectural form of a round top with a square base, symbolizing the ancient Chinese philosophy that the square earth is under the round sky, is a distinguished architectural combination of traditional feature and modern spirit.

The present Shanghai Museum has eleven galleries, including Gallery of Chinese Ancient Bronze, Gallery of Chinese Ancient Ceramics, Gallery of Chinese Paintings, Gallery of Chinese Calligraphy, Gallery of Chinese Ancient Sculpture, Gallery of Ancient Jade, Gallery of Chinese Coins, and Chinese Ming and Qing Furniture Gallery, and three special temporary exhibition halls. It extends warm welcome to the visitors from all over the world.