The Shanghai Natural History Museum, a branch of Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, is located within Jing’an Sculpture Park. Designed as an eco-friendly structure resembling a spiral green shell, its elegant form blends harmoniously with nature. As one of China’s largest natural history museums, it covers a total area of 45,257 square meters and houses a collection of over 290,000 specimens. It serves as a vital platform for science popularization, research, and cultural exchange.
Shanghai Natural History Museum Facts
- Chinese Name: 上海自然博物馆
- Name: Shanghai Natural History Museum
- Type: Comprehensive Museum
- Completion Time: 1956 (Old Building), 2015 (New Building)
- Area: 45257 m²
- Ticket Price: CNY30. Book now
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday
- Recommended Visiting Time: Half a Day
Theme
The Shanghai Natural History Museum has “Nature, Humans, Harmony” as its central theme. Following three main threads, “The Symphony of Evolution”, “The Picture Scroll of Life” and “The Historical Epic of Civilization”, it presents 10 permanent displays: Mysterious Beginnings, The River of Life, Ways of Evolution, Earth Treasures, Colorful Life, Ecological Diversity, Survival Skills, Tied to Earth, Shanghai Environs, and Future Pathways. The museum also features a complete set of visitor facilities including interactive lobbies, 4D theaters and Exploration Labs – all specially designed for family visitors, with children particularly enjoying the hands-on learning experiences.
Shanghai Natural History Museum Exhibits
The Shanghai Natural History Museum has five levels in total: two above ground and three below ground, with a mezzanine level between B1 and B2. The exhibition halls and facilities on each level are as follows:
| Floors | Exhibitions & facilities |
| L2 | Mysterious Beginnings, 4D theaters |
| L1 | The River of Life, Rediscovering the Nature |
| B1 | Ways of Evolution, Future Pathways |
| B2M | Shanghai Environs, 1868 Cafe |
| B2 | Earth Treasures, Colorful Life, Ecological Diversity, Survival Skills, Tied to Earth, Exploration Labs |
For the optimal visiting experience, we recommend beginning your journey on L2 (the museum’s main entrance level) and progressively exploring downward through each exhibition floor.
Mystery Beginnings
Discover how our universe began, from the Big Bang to the first life. Experience an immersive cosmic theater about the birth of space. See space rocks that fell to Earth, and learn how scientists uncover cosmic secrets. Perfect for families!
The River of Life
Meet giant creatures from Earth’s past! See amazing models of extinct animals like dinosaurs and survivors like the blue whale. Kids will love the lifelike displays that spark curiosity about nature’s history.
Ways of Evolution
See real fossils and specimens showing how life changed over millions of years. Visiters can learn about dinosaurs, early humans, and try the fun “Escape from Cretaceous” theater show!
Future Pathways
This exhibition examines humanity’s challenges – from resource depletion to endangered species. Advocating circular economy and sustainable development, it inspires visitors to protect our planet’s future.
Shanghai Environs
This exhibition chronicles Shanghai’s transformation from a fishing village to a metropolis, showcasing its unique coastal ecology and cultural evolution along the Yangtze River estuary.
Earth’s Treasures
This exhibition unveils Earth’s geological wonders – minerals and rocks that record billions of years of evolution. Discover how water and wind sculpted our planet, creating unique landscapes that nurtured life and human civilization.
Ecological Diversity
This exhibition recreates an authentic African savanna ecosystem, featuring numerous lifelike animal models including zebras, elephants, giraffes, lions and tigers in a dramatically lit environment that creates a sense of mystery. The highlight is projection show depicting the spectacular Great Migration across the savanna landscape.
Tied to Earth
Tracing China’s civilization, this exhibition explores humanity’s adaptation to diverse ecosystems through “Agricultural Origins” (10,000-year breakthroughs) and “Chinese Wisdom” (region-specific sustainable practices).
Colorful Life
This vibrant exhibition showcases nature’s diversity through dazzling butterflies, exotic birds, and exquisite seashells. A particular highlight is the breathtaking “Butterfly Wing Mosaic” – an intricate artwork meticulously crafted from 1,200 real butterfly wings that has become a must-photograph spot for visitors.
Survival Skills
This exhibition reveals nature’s survival strategies – from feeding to reproduction tactics. Discover how organisms adapt to environments through vivid examples of evolutionary wisdom in this dynamic ecosystem showcase.
Beyond its permanent exhibitions, the museum is currently hosting the “China’s Dinosaur World” special exhibition, featuring 118 remarkable dinosaur specimens and models. A centerpiece of the exhibition is the Lufengosaurus huenei – designated as ‘China’s First Dinosaur’ for being the earliest scientifically described dinosaur fossil in the country. This limited-time exhibition will run through November.
- Location: B1
- Ticket Price: CNY 88 (not included in general museum admission)
Exhibits
The Shanghai Natural History Museum maintains a scientific collection of over 310,000 natural history specimens and cultural artifacts. These materials originate from East China, across the nation, and internationally, organized into five principal categories: botany, zoology, paleontology, geology, and anthropology.
The collection contains more than 150,000 plant specimens, over 4,000 mammal specimens, approximately 10,000 specimens each of fish, birds, and amphibians/reptiles, nearly 33,000 insect specimens, more than 50,000 invertebrate specimens, over 5,000 geological specimens, about 8,000 fossil specimens, and around 3,500 ethnographic artifacts. These collections serve important research and educational purposes.
The most eye-catching ones were the “Stegodon Zdanskyi (Yellow River Ancient Elephant)” and “Mamenchisaurus”, which were hailed as the “treasures of the museum” at the time. Both are displayed in the ‘River of Life’ exhibition on L1.
Things to Do in Shanghai Natural History Museum with Kids
A visit to the Shanghai Natural History Museum is one of the most rewarding experiences for families traveling with children. The museum features a unique live animal exhibit where young visitors can directly engage with nature – observing honeybee colonies at work provides a fascinating glimpse into social insect behavior.
Don’t miss the Exploration Center on B2 offering hands-on activities like fossil excavation, available in four 30-minute sessions daily. The 4D Theater is another highlight, presenting captivating scientific films with immersive effects that both educate and entertain.
How to get to Shanghai Natural History Museum
By Metro
Take Metro Line 13 to Shanghai Natural History Museum Station (Exit 1). Just 2 mins walk to the museum!
By Bus
- Take Bus 109, 301, 324, 41, 927, or 955 and alight at Shimen Erlu Shanhaiguanlu Station. The museum is just 200m away (about 2 minutes).
- Take Bus 253, 36, 869, or 933 and get off at Chengdu Beilu Xinzhalu Station. Walk 370 meters (about 5 minutes) to reach Shanghai Natural History Museum.
- Take Bus 19, 136, 36, 316, 64, or 801 to Xinzhalu Shimen Erlu Station, then walk 230 meters (about 3 minutes) to the museum.
Ticket Price & Opening Hours
Book Your Ticket Today| Ticket Price | Adult: CNY 30 Free tickets for seniors aged 70 and above, and children aged 6 and below |
| Opening Hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00-17:15 (Tickets are sold from 9:00 to 16:30) Monday (except public holidays in China): closed |
4D Cinema Ticket Price
| Movies | Ticket Price | Time |
| LongLong | CNY 30 | 09:30 – 09:50 14:00 – 14:20 16:00 – 16:20 |
| Dive With “Ocean Dragon” | CNY 30 | 10:30 – 10:48 |
| DINO: Y-REX | CNY 30 | 11:30 – 11:47 |
| Wild Savanna | CNY 30 | 13:00 – 13:17 |
| Panda Roller – Journey to New Home | CNY 30 | 15:00 – 15:17 |
NOTE: Both museum tickets and 4D theater tickets require reservations 7 days in advance. Advance online reservations are exclusively available via official WeChat public account ‘上海自然博物馆’.