In Pursuit of Ocean Memories: Experience the Charm of Sailing

Do you know the origin and evolution of China's maritime technology? Would you like to see artifacts related to navigation from ancient to modern times? China Maritime Museum, as one of the top family-friendly museums in Shanghai, what makes it so special? Hearing is not as good as seeing, so today let me take you to experience what makes this, the largest and most comprehensive maritime museum in China, so unique.

China Maritime Museum

The only national-level maritime museum in the country, approved by the State Council

Address: No. 197 Shengang Avenue, Nanhui New City, Pudong New Area

Public transport: Take Metro Line 16 to Dishui Lake Station, then transfer to Bus 1096 and get off at Huanhu West Second Road & Shengang Avenue stop, a short walk away.

By car: Take S20 Outer Ring Expressway (towards Pudong Airport) → S2 Expressway (towards Donghai Bridge) → Exit at Lingang New City and drive straight along Shengang Avenue to China Maritime Museum. The journey takes about 80 minutes.

During the pandemic, the museum limits daily visitors to 4,000 and instant capacity to 1,000. Visitors must make real-name reservations in advance via the 'Shanghai Tour Code' mini-program. Show the reservation code from the official WeChat account and a green 'Health Code' to enter.

Many might confuse it with the China Ocean Museum, as the names are similar, but they are quite different. Today's China Maritime Museum is a national-level museum entirely themed on 'navigation' and based on 'museum' collections. The word 'China' in its name underscores that it is the largest and most comprehensive navigation-themed venue in the country.

Museum layout: three floors, housing six exhibition halls: Maritime History, Ships, Navigation & Ports, Maritime & Safety at Sea, Seafarers, and Military Navigation, plus two themed zones: Fishing Boats & Fishing, and Maritime Sports & Leisure. It also features a planetarium, 4D cinema, and children's activity center.

However, most exhibition halls are on the first and second floors, each with exits. The entrance is in the middle of the second floor. I suggest taking the escalator down to the first floor to start your visit. Free guided tours are available, usually once in the morning and once in the afternoon for each hall. It's best to follow the guide; the guides here are excellent, effortlessly explaining maritime history and knowing every exhibit like the back of their hand.

Check the tour time notices or ask staff upon entry. If you miss the free tour, you can rent an audio guide at the service center (10 yuan per device), or hire a Chinese-speaking guide for 50 yuan per hour.

The museum opens for free on China Maritime Day, July 11th every year.

Architecture and Space

The museum's exterior is striking, resembling a giant sailboat that perfectly matches its maritime theme and exudes modern artistic flair. Compared to the crowded city center, the space here is truly vast.

The float on the museum's plaza looks familiar. Indeed, it's the 'Endeavour Shanghai' float that represented Shanghai at the 2019 celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The float features a massive LNG carrier, symbolizing Shanghai's spirit of forging ahead and sailing onward. The model before you is the very one from the parade. Up close, the craftsmanship is exquisite and truly stunning.

Treasure of the Museum: Ming Dynasty Fu Ship

After exchanging tickets at the entrance and scanning the code, the first thing you'll see is the legendary treasure of the museum: the 'Ming Dynasty Fu Ship'.

The Fu Ship is one of the four main ancient Chinese ship types and the most famous seafaring vessel. It is a collective name for the sharp-bottomed sea-going ships built along the coasts of Fujian, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang.

This Fu Ship is a significant witness to the ancient Maritime Silk Road and was one of the standard ship types used in the fleet of the great navigator Zheng He on his voyages to the Western Ocean. Replicated using ancient shipbuilding techniques, it's made almost entirely of wood. Visitors can even step onto the deck to experience this ancient vessel firsthand, marveling at the advanced shipbuilding of ancient China and learning about Zheng He's maritime history. It's said that because the ship was built to a 1:1 scale, it's a Fu Ship fully capable of sailing the seas—not just a model.

As a 'treasure ship', it has many ingenious features. Boarding from the first-floor entrance, you can see the hull is enormous, with towering masts almost reaching the ceiling. The guide explains that the deck planks are deliberately not sealed tightly—on rough seas, this allows rainwater and waves to drain quickly, keeping the deck dry. In the bow compartment, Mazu, the sea goddess worshipped by fishing boats from Fujian and Guangdong, is enshrined. At the stern, many compartments were originally used to house poultry to ensure a balanced diet for the crew during long voyages. This seemingly simple merchant ship is full of clever details. Although the cabins and bow are not open to visitors for safety reasons, you can still sense the wisdom and bravery of ancient shipbuilders.

Behind the Fu Ship, there are models of some of the most famous passenger liners and warships from around the world and across history, including China's aircraft carrier Liaoning and the world's largest cruise ship, Titanic. Whether you're interested in maritime history or not, you'll be captivated by these models. They are superbly crafted, down to the tiny pilots and fighter jets on the carrier deck.

First Floor Exploration

The main exhibition halls on the first floor include the Maritime History Hall, Ship Hall, Seafarers Hall, and a Fishing Boats & Fishing zone. Here you can see graphic and video introductions to China's maritime history.

The highlight is the Maritime History Hall. Organized chronologically, it's divided into Ancient, Modern, and Contemporary sections. Alongside the timeline, a secondary strand traces technological developments—buoyancy crossing, dugout canoes, plank boats, sails, oars, sculls, rudders, and the compass—allowing visitors to understand the invention and evolution of Chinese nautical technology.

Dim lighting, exquisite exhibits, and spacious corridors create a sense of a time tunnel. The artifacts in this section are the museum's most precious and valuable.

Spring and Autumn Great Wing Warship: Made of 3 kilograms of pure gold, it measures 43 cm long and 16 cm high, with 94 miniature warriors carved on it. The Great Wing Warship was an ancient Chinese water combat vessel. This one is entirely gold. On this tiny ship, soldiers and rowers are arranged on two decks, and even details like combat bows and arrows are visible. Beyond its material worth, its historical and artistic value makes it truly priceless.

Of course, any mention of maritime history must include Zheng He's voyages. Here, historical texts and videos combine to illustrate his seven expeditions to the Western Ocean, their routes and experiences. Many exhibits are authentic items recovered from the treasure ships. It's worth noting that even by today's standards, Zheng He was quite handsome with a 'rich playboy' air. Nevertheless, his contributions to China's maritime industry are immeasurable. Sadly, he fell ill and died during the seventh voyage.

The museum houses the largest, oldest, and best-preserved ancient world map in China, the 'Da Ming Hun Yi Tu' (Amalgamated Map of the Great Ming). It depicts Africa over 100 years before European maps did. Only four replicas exist worldwide: one here, one in the First Historical Archives of China, one in South Africa, and one in Japan, highlighting its rarity.

There's also the Yidun, a ship purchased from the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) in October 1872 when the China Merchants Group was established. It was China's first modern commercial vessel and the first Chinese steam-powered merchant ship to operate on international routes, marking the start of China's ocean-going trade and boosting freight capacity. The model is exquisitely crafted.

The subsequent modern section displays famous warships and merchant vessels used during territorial expansion and trade, all the way to wooden boats that took part in the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign. In the contemporary zone, you'll find detailed displays of China's most advanced icebreakers, submarines, and 10,000-ton cargo ships. Walking through, it's clear how crucial navigation is to a nation's sovereignty, trade, and economy.

Opposite the Maritime History Hall, the Ship Hall exhibits the main types of vessels used in China's maritime transport and operations today. Notably, the most critical safety gear for offshore escape is the immersion suit (which also serves as a life jacket). That's why wearing life jackets on sightseeing boats is so important—heat loss is the greatest danger after falling into the water.

There's also a large model of an early Chinese ocean-going cargo ship, the Fengqing. The model is partially cut open so you can closely examine the ship's internal structure—well worth seeing.

The adjacent Seafarers Hall, after renovation, has a fresh look. It shows the working and living conditions of seafarers at sea and reviews a century of precious documents about them. Seafarers are a focal point of the museum, highlighting the illustrious figures in China's maritime history.

A 3D navigation simulator realistically replicates a ship's bridge and is used to train seafarers. Visitors can also experience the thrill of being a captain.

Second Floor: Naval and Safety

Second floor: Home to the Navigation & Ports Hall, Maritime & Safety at Sea Hall, Military Navigation Hall, and the Maritime Sports & Leisure zone. Here you can learn about the history of the Chinese navy, ports, and sea rescue, and see models of warships, naval flags, uniforms, and real shipboard artillery.

Most people's early impression of ships and navigation comes from movies and TV, with combat submarines and aircraft carriers being the most memorable. The Military Navigation Hall on the second floor features highly accurate models of famous warships and carriers from WWI and WWII, plus models like the destroyer 'Anshan', missile destroyer 'Jinan', and the nuclear-powered submarine 'Ohio'. It's super cool—models of all kinds of warships, naval flags, and uniforms offer a comprehensive look at the Chinese navy.

The Maritime & Safety at Sea Hall uses objects, models, multimedia, and electronic maps to showcase sea rescue, salvage, and anti-piracy efforts. Lighthouses are also symbols of sovereignty. The most familiar sight for many is the China Maritime Patrol boat that escorts cruise ships out of port—it too represents national maritime sovereignty.

To avoid monotony and museum fatigue, almost every section has interactive zones with 3D, visual effects, light-and-shadow, and hands-on activities, offering visitors a more immersive experience.

Dining and Shopping

The museum's first-floor restaurant offers simple meals at reasonable prices. Families who aren't fussy about food can easily dine here, or bring their own food and use the dedicated rest area. The adjacent café is nautically themed and a great spot to take a break.

Creative Gift Shop: During your visit, you'll often pass a square-shaped space—yes, that's the eagerly awaited gift shop. Here you can pick up some nautical-themed souvenirs. The product range and style are reminiscent of the Palace Museum gift shop, but with a distinct maritime twist, offering unique items rarely found elsewhere.

You can even buy exquisitely detailed model ships here—much finer and more delicate than Lego sets. For collectors, this is an absolute gem of a shop.

Special Events

Special Recommendation: The 4th Maritime Life Festival. As this month marks the 10th anniversary of the museum's opening, several temporary and special exhibitions are being held.

The 4th Maritime Life Festival has begun. Due to the pandemic, some interactive areas, the planetarium, 4D cinema, and children's center are temporarily closed. However, the festival, which opened this week, is highly engaging and specially crafted for the museum's 10th anniversary. You can try many activities for free, with fun for all ages. Collect all the festival stamps and you can get a free 10th-anniversary commemorative seal—a novel and enjoyable experience.

Visitors can enjoy multiple interactive performances like 'Semaphore Flag Shows,' 'Sailor's Knot Tying,' and 'Maritime Children's Plays,' and challenge themselves with activities such as a maritime quiz, VR rowing, remote-control boat experience, and a bottle-smashing ceremony. Completing challenges earns you a 10th-anniversary commemorative badge. There are also mystery prizes for which you can enter a lucky draw simply with your mobile number. All games are free for adults and children. This may well be the best-value youth and children's exhibition this summer.

Special Recommendation 2: 'A Port for the City, A City Thriving on the Port' special temporary exhibition.

Currently, the first temporary exhibition hall hosts 'A Port for the City, A City Thriving on the Port.' Beginning with a neon-lit street, it's a nostalgic exhibition intertwining elements of citizens' lives, culture, and economy.

During the Jiaqing and Daoguang reigns, over 3,500 sand ships (originally evolved from Yuan Dynasty grain transports) gathered in Shanghai, earning the port the title 'Home of Sand Ships.' From the old city to today's Bund, Shanghai's port development carries history and the sentiments and hopes of its people.

The familiar rickshaw was introduced from Japan, and you can still see this traditional mode of transport on the streets of Tokyo and Kyoto today. The qipao, originally Manchu women's dress, was influenced by the West and transformed into today's form-fitting fashion for young women. Iconic landmarks like the Paramount Ballroom and Shanghai Railway Station also make an appearance.

This temporary exhibition is free until the end of the year. A visit to China Maritime Museum not only enriches the knowledge of both adults and children but also offers a deeper understanding of Shanghai's past and present.

Discounted Tickets

Starting July 1, 2020, the China Maritime Museum is offering discounted tickets for a year!

Adult ticket: reduced to 30 yuan/person

Student and teacher ticket: 15 yuan/person

Seniors aged 60–69: 10 yuan/person

Children under 6 or height 1.4m and below: free admission.

Every encounter is like the first. I'm @Shanghai Cold Air, looking forward to meeting you on our next journey.