Discover Shanghai's museums and art galleries after dark

After a grueling day at work, visiting a museum or art gallery to discover the newest exhibitions is a great way to unwind. Here are some recommendations:

Shanghai Museum

Throughout June, the Shanghai Museum, located on People's Square, will offer special evening sessions every Friday and Saturday, extending its operating hours until 9 pm, with last entry at 7 pm.

The exhibition On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt is currently showcasing 492 sets of 788 precious artifacts from various eras of ancient Egyptian history.

Hundreds of precious artifacts from various eras of ancient Egyptian history are showcased at Shanghai Museum. [Photo/WeChat ID: shanghaitourism]

The exhibition will run until Aug 17. From July 1 until the exhibition's closure, the museum will remain open until 9 pm (except Mondays, when it is closed). During the final week, the museum will operate continuously for 24/7, setting a global record for 168 hours of uninterrupted operation.

Operating hours: 9 am – 9 pm (last entry at 7 pm)

Address: No 201 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu district

Q-Can Art Museum

The Q-Can Art Museum, which made its debut in Hongkou district this January, is currently holding its very first exhibition. This exhibition places the spotlight on the remarkable academic contributions of the renowned husband-and-wife architect team, Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin, to the realm of Chinese architecture.

By displaying nearly 400 exhibits, such as manuscripts, sketches, archival materials, videos, and audio recordings, the exhibition successfully turns their achievements into a palpable cultural encounter. It will remain open to the public until Aug 31.

An ancient architectural model. [Photo/WeChat ID: shanghaitourism]

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:30 am – 9 pm (last entry at 8 pm)

Address: 6F, Bingang Commercial Center, No 939 North Sichuan Road, Hongkou district

Right Art Museum

Located near the historic home of the celebrated architect Laszlo Hudec and merely a stone's throw from the chic Xingfuli area, the Right Art Museum presents an unparalleled nocturnal art adventure.

Boasting a versatile and expansive layout, the museum is thoughtfully designed with imaginative partitions and arrangements that craft separate, well-defined exhibition zones. The exhibition BE THE LIGHT is currently being held and will run until June 16.

A poster for the exhibition BE THE LIGHT. [Photo/WeChat ID: shanghaitourism]

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am – 10 pm

Address: Room 107, Building B, No 7 Alley 300, Panyu Road, Changning district

Museum of Art Pudong

Crafted by the esteemed architect Jean Nouvel, the Museum of Art Pudong seamlessly blends into the picturesque riverside setting that surrounds it.

Operating throughout the year, the museum has recently rolled out a night-time viewing session. Two major exhibitions are currently open to the public. Moreover, the highly-anticipated exhibition Paths to Modernity: Masterpieces from the Musee d'Orsay, Paris is set to make its grand entrance on June 19.

A poster for the exhibition Paths to Modernity: Masterpieces from the Musee d'Orsay, Paris. [Photo/WeChat ID: shanghaitourism]

Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm (last entry at 8 pm)

Address: No 2777 Binjiang Avenue, Pudong New Area

Long Museum West Bund

From Fridays through Sundays, the Long Museum West Bund extends its operating hours until 9 pm, granting visitors the delightful opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of art under the cover of night.

The museum is currently holding three major exhibitions: Panorama: Timeless Imprints of Civilization, Jean-Michel Othoniel: The Enchantment, and a solo exhibition by the talented artist Wang Yi.

The exhibition Panorama: Timeless Imprints of Civilization is staged at Long Museum West Bund. [Photo/Long Museum]

Opening hours from April 1 to Oct 31: Tuesday to Thursday, 10 am – 6 pm (last entry at 5 pm); Friday to Sunday, 10 am – 9 pm (last entry at 8 pm)

Address: No 3398 Longteng Avenue, Xuhui district

chi K11 Art Museum

Since its grand unveiling in 2013, the chi K11 Art Museum has been a vibrant hub of artistic activity, having staged over 60 art exhibitions, delivered more than 600 exhibition-related lectures, and organized a diverse array of art workshops and forums.

The museum is currently hosting two captivating exhibitions. One is The Call I Missed by the Thai artist Wisut Ponnimit, while the other highlights the remarkable literary masterpieces of Su Shi, a renowned scholar and poet from the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

The exhibition about Su Shi at chi K11 Art Museum. [Photo/WeChat ID: shanghaitourism]

Opening hours: Daily, 10 am – 8 pm

Address: B3, K11 shopping mall, No 300 Middle Huaihai Road, Huangpu district

Aurora Museum

Tucked away amidst the towering skyscrapers of the Lujiazui area, the Aurora Museum stands as an understated yet opulent edifice, earning itself the moniker of the "cultural jewel box by the Huangpu River".

Every Friday, the museum extends its operating hours until 9 pm. Alongside its permanent displays, visitors have the chance to participate in special evening lectures.

The Aurora Museum. [Photo/WeChat ID: shanghaitourism]

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm; Friday extended to 9 pm; closed on Mondays

Address: No 99 Fucheng Road, Pudong New Area