Shanghai Art Scene: Galleries, Museums, and Street Art

Shanghai is China's contemporary art capital with a thriving creative scene. Here is a local's guide to the art world.

Major Museums

Power Station of Art

China's first state-run contemporary art museum, housed in a former power station on the Huangpu River. Hosts the Shanghai Biennale.

Local's Take: The Power Station of Art is where Shanghai's art world gathers. The industrial architecture creates dramatic exhibition spaces, and the rooftop terrace has one of the best river views in the city. The Biennale (every two years) is the city's most important art event.

Long Museum

Two locations (West Bund and Pudong) with impressive private collections spanning traditional and contemporary Chinese art.

Local's Take: The Long Museum West Bund is my favorite museum building in Shanghai. The architecture by Atelier Deshaus uses concrete vaults that create a cathedral-like atmosphere. The collection is deep in Chinese contemporary art.

Gallery Districts

M50 Creative Park

Former textile mills along Suzhou Creek converted into galleries, artist studios, and creative spaces.

Local's Take: M50 is where you go to discover emerging Chinese artists. The galleries are free to enter, and you can often meet artists working in their studios. It is less polished than museum districts in other cities, and that is exactly its charm. Go on a Saturday afternoon when most galleries have new exhibitions.

West Bund

Shanghai's newest art corridor along the Huangpu River, with museums, galleries, and public art.

Local's Take: The West Bund is Shanghai's answer to London's South Bank. On weekends, locals come here to cycle, walk their dogs, and visit galleries. The combination of riverside leisure and world-class art makes it one of the best ways to spend a Saturday in Shanghai.

Art Fairs

Art021

A major contemporary art fair held every November at the Shanghai Exhibition Center. Brings together galleries from across Asia and beyond.

West Bund Art & Design

A high-end fair coinciding with Art021 in November. If you are in Shanghai during art fair week, the energy is incredible.

Street Art

Moganshan Road

The walls around M50 are covered in ever-changing graffiti and murals. Some of it is political, some is purely aesthetic, all of it is worth a look.

Shanghai's art scene is dynamic, diverse, and globally significant. It is one of the most exciting art cities in the world right now.