Shaped like a traditional Chinese cauldron (ting), the Shanghai Museum is located next to People's Park.
We bought the audio guide in English and spent nearly 4 hours there which still didn't cover everything.
The cost is pretty minimal – entry is free and the audio guide is free, too. Check in your bags, and leave your ID (our Australian driver's license) to get the audio guide.
The scope of the artifacts – bronze, ceramics, sculptures, ethnic costumes, coins, money, furniture, callligraphy is pretty structured but it's the age that's overwhelming. There are thousands of items, but only a few hundred are on display.
This little lady was one of my favourite sculptures. Rosy cheeks are all that remain of the vibrant colours used between 600-900AD showing how much make-up the courtesans used to wear. Simple lines. Elegant.
This is a religious carving dated 618-907 AD made from wood. It's listed as a carving of "Kasyapa". I love the fact that after 1000s of years, the compassionate smile is still so visible. Basically, it's a piece of old wood, but you can still get a strong feeling of humility and openess that the artist portrayed when it was first carved. I haven't had a chance to find out who "Kasyapa" is but whoever he is, the artist did a great job of conveying emotion that has lasted for centuries.
This grainy phone pic is of a stone carving of 1000 Buddhas (a "stele"). It's dated 557-581 AD. It blows my mind that we're able to stare at something so old….The detail of the carving is pretty hard to grasp here, but the age of the carving is something I am in awe of.
I took a gazillion pics on my camera, and there are more of bronze, ceramics etc….but here are just 3 or else my upload time would take forever and I would still be posting for the next week. Seeing as I'm already back-logged, I have to use these rather than wait for my uploads. Hope it still gives you an idea of the type of sculptures.
If you love history, culture and want to get a handle on China's history, spend a day at Shanghai Museum.