Shanghai is a city of exhilarating contrasts. Art deco grandeur sits alongside towering skyscrapers, while historic alleyways lead to cutting-edge galleries. For visitors who share my passion for art, design and culture, China’s most cosmopolitan city offers an endlessly rewarding experience. Whether you lean towards world-class museums, contemporary art galleries or heritage architecture, this is an enormous city that rewards slow exploration, one bite-sized area at a time.
Best museums and cultural institutions in Shanghai
Shanghai’s major museums are evidence of the city’s impressive cultural credentials. The Museum of Art Pudong (MAP), located in Shanghai’s Pudong district opposite the Bund waterfront, is one of China’s leading art museums. Its ambitious programming is showcased in a beautiful setting overlooking the Huangpu River, with exhibitions of international masterpieces presented in conversation with solo shows by leading contemporary artists. At the time of my visit, an exhibition of Giorgio Morandi still-lifes was showing alongside a new commission from Colombian contemporary artist Carolina Caycedo. Pudong isn’t the most exciting area otherwise, but there’s a cute branch of popular (and affordable) Chinese coffee chain, Manner, on the museum’s ground floor. And since you’re in the area, don’t forget to stop at the city’s iconic Oriental Pearl TV Tower around the corner.
Another must-see is Prada Rong Zhai, the gorgeous, impeccably restored 1918 mansion in Jing’an that serves as Prada’s cultural hub in China. As much an architectural landmark as it is an exhibition venue, it hosts an intriguing programme of contemporary art exhibitions and cultural events. It can be a bit confusing to find out what’s on, so be sure to check Prada’s website for current exhibition information and opening times. Last year, Prada also opened an Italo-Chinese fusion restaurant, pastry shop and café in the same building, designed in collaboration with legendary film director Wong Kar Wai.
Hotspots like Prada Rong Zhai are why many seasoned Shanghai visitors prefer to stay centrally in Jing’an, where abundant restaurants and galleries are within easy reach. The PuLi Hotel and Spa is a fitting base for cultured sorts and one of my all-time favourite Shanghai stays. Tucked discreetly beside beautiful Jing’An Park, the hotel combines understated luxury with an atmosphere of calm sophistication. The light-filled infinity pool, with huge windows overlooking the park, is a dream. And sitting at the lobby’s Long Bar enjoying a cocktail is a soothing experience that feels as meditative as famed Japanese artist Hasegawa Tōhaku’s paintings of pine trees in the mist. The PuLi is a welcome retreat after a busy day spent gallery-hopping across the city.
Best contemporary art galleries in Putuo and Suzhou Creek
ShanghART
As a contemporary artist, I’m always excited to see the work of my peers, so I head to the Putuo and Suzhou Creek districts to check out the city’s more experimental and avant-garde cultural side. The area’s artistic renaissance began with M50, a former textile mill complex transformed into one of Shanghai’s most influential contemporary art hubs. Today, its warehouses and studios house what I think are some of China’s most exciting galleries shaping the country’s contemporary art scene, including Antenna Space, ShanghART and Brownie Project.
One of the things I particularly enjoy about exploring these areas is that strolling between venues can be as delightful as visiting the destinations themselves. A 45-minute amble from M50 along the Suzhou Creek — through a rapidly evolving area where former factories and warehouses have found new life as creative spaces — brings you to the Suhe Art District, one of the city’s most exciting cultural neighbourhoods. Here, I recommend exploring the more intimate, cutting-edge spaces within Suhe Haus, especially Longlati and ShanghART’s second location, but new galleries and designers arrive frequently so there’s always something new to see.
Nearby and also worth checking out is Fotografiska Shanghai, the celebrated Stockholm-born photography museum whose programme combines internationally renowned photographers with emerging artists from across Asia. Fotografiska has a lovely café, too, and a very stylish rooftop terrace.
As evening approaches, the neighbourhood’s creative energy shifts naturally towards its bars and restaurants. A riverside stroll followed by expertly crafted cocktails is one of the city’s most enjoyable cultural rituals. Nearby Cometa, a hip and perennially popular Italian bistro and bar with a relaxed feel, is a favourite of Shanghai’s creative scene, while Speak Low draws a trendy crowd with its hidden entrance, delicious cocktails and impeccable service.
West Bund: Shanghai’s leading contemporary art district
Huangpu River
Few areas illustrate Shanghai’s cultural heft more clearly than the West Bund. Stretching along the Huangpu River, this former industrial waterfront has been transformed into a sprawling arts district. A single day can easily disappear here.
Start at TANK, where enormous former aviation fuel tanks have been reinvented as dramatic circular contemporary art galleries. The institution’s ambitious shows, spanning contemporary art, design and architecture, consistently rank among the city’s most compelling. A little further afield, the Power Station of Art, home to the Shanghai Biennale, occupies a converted power plant and remains one of China’s most important contemporary art institutions. Think Shanghai’s version of London’s Tate Modern. Its vast exhibition halls encourage artists to work on an impressive scale, and its programme regularly introduces visitors to the best of Chinese and international contemporary art and design. For example, during my visit, the gallery was preparing to open the first-ever exhibition in China on the work of renowned 20th-century architect, Lina Bo Bardi (running until October).
For a change of pace, it’s also worth stopping by the West Bund Museum, which tends to cater to a more elegant crowd. Although the interior spaces can feel a bit sterile, West Bund’s ongoing partnership with the Centre Pompidou means that you can see major works from the Pompidou’s collection without having to visit Paris, while smaller exhibitions focus on interesting themes — the double solo exhibition of Sheila Hicks and Shi Hui on materiality (running until early August) is a case in point.
After a day immersed in exhibitions, few places offer a more restorative return than Capella Shanghai. Hidden among beautifully restored shikumen lanes (with decorative stone gates), the hotel blends Shanghai heritage with French influences to create one of the city’s most distinctive luxury experiences. Its elegant villas feel remarkably secluded despite their central location, making them the perfect urban sanctuary. Guests can unwind in their private courtyards while discussing the day’s discoveries over delivered dinner (download the Meituan app to take your room service to the next level) or simply indulge in top-notch pastries from the hotel’s French bakery before planning the next outing.
Why visit Shanghai during art week?
If, like me, you like to cram as much culture as possible into a trip, November is unquestionably the most exciting time to experience Shanghai. During Shanghai Art Week, the city transforms into a vast creative ecosystem. Galleries, museums, collectors, curators and artists converge from across China and beyond, creating an energetic and creatively stimulating atmosphere.
Throughout the week, key art districts including M50, West Bund and Pudong host overlapping exhibitions, installations and cultural events. Major institutions such as the Power Station of Art and TANK Shanghai present some of their best shows of the year, while independent galleries launch ambitious new exhibitions timed to coincide with the influx of visitors from all over the world.
Beyond the museums, much of the excitement unfolds elsewhere. Temporary exhibitions appear in unexpected locations, artist-led projects activate public spaces, and conversations continue late into the evening at gallery dinners, rooftop receptions and cocktail bars across the city. I recommend Cheruby House in the former French Concession, an exhibition space, social hub and artist residency combining interests in art and fashion.
In 2025, Hol Art Platform launched an alternative art week, held in the striking former primary school, École Primaire de Lagrené, in Xintiandi. If it returns in future years, this will also be a must-visit Art Week event. For culture enthusiasts, Shanghai Art Week really does offer an opportunity to experience the city’s art scene at its very best.
But whether visiting during Art Week or at any other time of year, Shanghai rewards curiosity. Talk to people. Visit the places mentioned as a starting point and ask for recommendations. Shanghai is steeped in history and heritage, but its innovative spirit means things change often. For art and culture lovers, few cities offer such a rich and compelling canvas.
Three-day art-lover itinerary for Shanghai
Long Museum
Day one: start with the Museum of Art Pudong. Pay a quick visit to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, then hop in a taxi to Jing’an. Lunch in the splendid surrounds of Mi Shang Prada Rong Zhai, before checking out the exhibitions and admiring the interiors in the same building. After-dinner cocktails are a must. I have a soft spot for the Long Bar at the PuLi Hotel, but if you’re in search of a livelier spot, Sober Company has a unique, Japanese-inspired cocktail menu and a great atmosphere.
Day two: head north to the M50 creative complex for a morning spent exploring its 140-plus galleries and art studios. Check opening times in advance as they can change. After lunch (there’s an amazing Filipino restaurant, Bela Fiesta, in M50), amble along Suzhou Creek to Fotografiska and Suhe Haus. If you have time, carry on along Suzhou Creek to Rockbund Art Museum, which always hosts thought-provoking exhibitions.
Day three: go on a West Bund marathon. This area is packed with culture so pick and choose with care. Trying to see everything is a recipe for art fatigue. Start at TANK, before a short stroll to the West Bund Museum, or go a bit further upriver to the Long Museum. Check what’s on beforehand. After lunch, hop in a taxi to the Power Station of Art. There’s not much to eat nearby, so you’ll be better off dining elsewhere. For farewell cocktails, I like Pony Up on Jinxian Road. It’s smart but relaxed and the drinks are very smooth.
Shanghai Art Lover’s Cheat Sheet
Pony Up
Best museum: Museum of Art Pudong
Best contemporary art district: M50 Creative Park
Best gallery hub: Suhe Haus
Best photography museum: Fotografiska
Best cultural experience: Power Station of Art
Best heritage building: Prada Rong Zhai
Best neighbourhood to stay in: Jing’An or former French Concession
Best time to visit: November for Shanghai Art Week
Best post-gallery-hop drinking spot: Pony Up or the Long Bar at PuLi, depending on your mood
For a different kind of cultural experience, see our Shanghai shopping guide or see our full collection of hotels in the city
Dr. Crystal Bennes is an American-born artist and writer based in Edinburgh. Her practice is grounded in the relationship between nature, science and culture and combines academic research methodologies with traditional and innovative modes of material experimentation. Recent work has investigated the survival of ancient trees in Scotland; the relationship between the geology of the Paris Basin and the city’s built environment; and the accidental migration of weeds across Europe in the 19th century. She also writes on art, architecture and design for a number of publications including Icon, Frieze, Disegno and Art Agenda.