Shanghai Art Museum 🇨🇳

When you visit the former Shanghai Art Museum building in Shanghai, China, you are stepping directly into a rich tapestry of local history. Located on the south side of Nanjing Road (West) at the western edge of People's Park—just north of People's Square—this historic 2,200-square-meter structure was originally built in 1933 as the lavish clubhouse for the Shanghai Race Club.

As you explore the site, you can appreciate a landmark that once stood at the center of 1930s horse racing culture. The building boasts opulent architectural features, including historic marble staircases, teak-panelled rooms, oak parquet floors, and a grand 100-foot by 47-foot coffee room complete with a massive fireplace.

Beyond its luxurious interior, you will notice one of the city's most prominent clock towers, which was renovated in 2006, as well as a roof terrace added during a 1955 renovation. While the museum once served as the original home for the prestigious Shanghai Biennale starting in 1996 before rebranding and moving its art collection to the Expo lands in 2012, this remarkable landmark is being converted to house the Shanghai History Museum, making it a captivating stop for architectural and historical appreciation.

What to see at Shanghai Art Museum

• Historic 1933 Shanghai Race Club clubhouse architecture featuring marble staircases and teak-panelled rooms.
• A prominent city clock tower renovated for accuracy in 2006.
• A spacious 100-foot by 47-foot historic coffee room with a huge fireplace.
• A 1955 roof terrace built alongside wide stairs leading up to the clock tower.
• The original site where the famous Shanghai Biennale was established in 1996.

Visiting tips

Keep in mind that while the original art museum relocated to the China pavilion in 2012, this historic clubhouse is being converted to house the Shanghai History Museum.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Shanghai Art Museum is easy to reach on Shanghai’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Shanghai Grand Theatre and Xiaotaoyuan Mosque. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Shanghai travel guide.