Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center Museum

The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center is a museum and exhibition space on People’s Square in central Shanghai dedicated to the city’s urban planning and development. It presents models, plans and multimedia displays that explain Shanghai’s growth and future projects.

Its most prominent exhibit is a detailed model of central Shanghai that shows current and proposed urban fabric and major infrastructure projects. The centre also hosts temporary exhibitions and archival materials related to planning.

The centre was established as part of municipal efforts to communicate planning strategies to the public and to showcase Shanghai’s rapid urban transformation. It functions as both an educational resource and a visitor attraction.

Situated on People’s Square, the building is surrounded by cultural institutions and municipal buildings in downtown Shanghai and is within easy reach of major metro lines.

• Location: Located on People’s Square, the centre is immediately adjacent to major civic institutions and transport hubs in central Shanghai.

What to See#

• City model: A permanent, large-scale model of central Shanghai that illustrates planned and existing urban projects and serves as the centrepiece of the exhibition.

The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center is at People’s Square (Renmin Guangchang) on People’s Avenue in central Shanghai. Use Shanghai Metro Lines 1, 2 or 8 to People’s Square station; the center is a very short walk (2-3 minutes) from the station exits. It is easily reached by taxi or bus within the city center.

• Go first thing in the morning to see the huge city scale model in the model hall before tour groups arrive; the model room is the centerpiece and gets crowded by late morning.
• The center sits on People's Square next to Shanghai Museum-use People's Square metro station for the most direct access and combine visits to both institutions.
• Allow at least an hour to catch the permanent model and the temporary planning exhibitions; many visitors miss the shorter multimedia film that summarizes Shanghai's recent development, shown on a schedule.