In many ways China‘s most exciting, dynamic city, Shanghai is packed with tons of fantastic experiences of all types… and among its cultural stars are some of the country’s best museums.
The doyen of the scene is of course the Shanghai Museum, a trove of ancient Chinese art in newish modern quarters on People’s Square in the central Huangpu district. But also worth visiting is the Yuz Museum (35 Fenggu Lu) in the West Bund area, a private institution opened in 2014 in a former airport hangar that features rotating contemporary art from both Asia and the West (check out the especially cool cafeteria here, too!). Another West Bund private institution, the Long Museum (3398 Longteng Avenue) features the best in Chinese contemporary art as well as ancient and traditional masterpieces, all showcased in regularly rotating exhibitions.
For a feed or a drink before or after your cultural experience, check out one of the city’s most popular dining/entertainment complexes, Ferguson Lane (376 Wukang Lu). Smack in the area still referred to as the French Concession (under the effective control of France back in the 1920s and 30s, with lots of Art Deco and other architecture of that era), it features a riot of cafés, bars, boutiques, restaurants, pizzerias, day spas, and green spaces. It’s quite a bit more Western than Chinese in flavour, but is very popular with hip locals at all hours.
Photo | Fabrizio Maestroni
