Shanghai Museum used to be near the Bund. It is now situated in People's Square and its new buildings were built in 1996, designed by a Shanghai architect named Xing Tonghe. The new design symbolizes China's ancient understanding of the world: round sky and square earth. The museum has a circular roof and rectangular base. It stores 120,000 precious artifacts, which narrate a story of China's 5,000-year civilization.  

Even though it opens eight hours a day, it's difficult to see every corner of the museum in one day. Sculpture, furniture, calligraphy, coins, ceramics, jade-ware, minority ethnic handicrafts and ancient bronzes are on display. 

(Shanghai Museum's Timeline of Buddhist Art/Wang Zhiyong) 

It's easy to look around on your own, since labels in English are arranged beside every piece. You can also rent an audio commentary machine, but you need to pay a deposit. A free double-page tour guide is available. 

Travel tips: 

Address: No. 201, People's Ave, People's Square
Tel: 6372-3500 (Chinese and English services)
Hours: 9am-5pm (last entry 4pm)
Admission: Free.
To get there: Metro line 1and Metro line 2 (People's Square Station) 
Website:  http://www.shanghaimuseum.net/
Related gallery: Shanghai Museum's Timeline of Buddhist Art