Being a huge, modern metropolis, Shanghai obviously has enough museums and galleries to keep you busy for months. From fine art, to contemporary, to historical and archaeological museums, this bustling city has whatever type of art or interactive display you fancy. Most places are free to the public with only small fees for special exhibitions. They also are normally open every day of the week.

The Shanghai Art Museum

For fine arts, the Shanghai Art Museum is your best bet. This colossal and regal-looking building filled with marble has some beautiful collections. It also has many contemporary exhibits as well. The Shanghai Grand Theater Gallery is very well-organized and has a knowledgeable and friendly staff. There are dozens of other fine arts galleries in the city as well, like Hwa's Gallery and the Liu Hai Su Art Center.

The Shanghai Museum

The most popular history and archeology museum is the Shanghai Museum. With over 120,000 pieces of Chinese art and artifacts, you're sure to be entertained for a long time. Audio tour devices are available in various languages. Chinese bronzes, paintings, and ceramics are just a few of the featured items. It's open all week, and there's no entrance fee. Other great historical museums include Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Former Residence and Memorial Hall and the former residence of Zhou En Lai, which are both very well preserved and give the visitor a better understanding of Chinese history.

The J. Gallery and Contemporary Art

Contemporary art is displayed in tons of galleries around Shanghai. The J. Gallery is highly recommended. The artists often are right there in the gallery, ready and willing to discuss their work. Another plus is that the staff is not pushy.