Housed in a circular building complete with handles, made to resemble an ancient bronze cooking vessel called a dǐng (used for meat preparation in the Shang dynasty between 1600 and 1046 BCE), the Shanghai Museum (上海博物馆, Shànghǎi Bówùguǎn, 201 People's Ave, 201人民大道 ) is about as distinctive as structures get. Inside, over four floors, is an enormous, rare and valuable collection of cultural pieces, from Chinese paintings, seals and jade stone items to ethnic costumes, Ming and Qing furniture, calligraphy and old coins. There are so many items on display that seeing them all can be overwhelming in one go; plan to spend a morning or afternoon here and take a break at the 1st-floor restaurant (dressed like a traditional tea room), or visit again on another day to cover everything.
Rent audio guides in English (plus Chinese, French, German, Korean, Spanish and Italian) at the south entrance next to the Bronze Hall; detailed paper guides can be found at the entrance to each gallery. Chinese speakers can use the interactive elements in each exhibition hall. The museum is free to visit, but foreign visitors must register with their passports before gaining entry and all must complete a bag security check.
The excellent museum shop sells postcards, a rich array of books, and faithful replicas of the museum's ceramics and other pieces.