Come to the China Maritime Museum and Listen to the Stories of the Sea and Us

Some people yearn for the sea;

some cross it on cruise ships;

others live their entire lives by the sea…

But how much do we really know about the sea? Chances are, most of us don’t know much.

So, why not pay a visit to the China Maritime Museum? Come here and listen to the stories of the sea and us~

Maybe not many people know about the China Maritime Museum, so let me give you a quick introduction~

The China Maritime Museum is located near Dishui Lake in Shanghai’s Nanhui New City, and it’s China’s first national-level maritime museum. Centered on the theme of “maritime,” it houses six exhibition halls: Maritime History, Ships, Navigation & Ports, Maritime Affairs & Safety at Sea, Seafarers, and Military Navigation. There are also educational and entertaining hands-on activities. While it’s especially ideal for parent-child educational outings, it’s also a great chance for all of us to get to know “navigation.” The museum is just a 10-minute drive from the sea, and the whole area is dotted with marine-themed schools, buildings, and such, forming a vibrant maritime culture hub—it’s a place I’ve always been fond of. Let’s dive right in and explore the charm of the China Maritime Museum!

The museum’s design is quite unique: you have to climb the front steps to enter. This is actually so that visitors can get the best view right away of the museum’s star exhibit—a Ming Dynasty fu ship. This fu ship is a full-scale replica of the original. Fu ships are a type of ancient Chinese seagoing vessel and one of the “Four Great Ancient Ships,” a collective name for sharp-bottomed vessels from coastal Fujian and Zhejiang.

More importantly, this fu ship is modelled after the vessels used on Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Seas, symbolizing the official launch of China’s maritime enterprise at that time.

You can board the fu ship, though during the pandemic each group is limited to 10 people. Once on board, you mainly explore the deck, as the interior can only be viewed from a distance. Sleeping quarters, a kitchen, even a chicken coop—everything is there, leaving you in awe!

My friend’s little boy Kaikai was fascinated and kept examining every detail. For kids, it’s truly a great chance to broaden their knowledge! These are things rarely encountered in daily life.

Looking up at the mast, it rises so high it seems to merge with the strikingly designed ceiling of the hall, sailing off into the unknown future.

On the same floor where you board the fu ship, there’s a display of many classic ship models. Compared with other exhibitions, this collection is more concentrated and representative—you can conveniently visit them first!

Let’s travel back in time and explore humanity’s maritime history from the very beginning. The Maritime History Hall is organized chronologically, from ancient times, through modern times, to the contemporary era, telling the story of navigation’s evolution and development. This is the museum’s most important exhibition hall.

Before seafaring, we must talk about boats. The sheepskin raft displayed in the middle of the exhibition area instantly transports us to an era when people “drifted” along rivers—this was how early humans used buoyancy for living and working on water.

Fragments of a dugout canoe unearthed in Shanghai.

This is a dugout canoe still in use at Lugu Lake today. Though bulky-looking, it’s perfect for fishing and shrimping in the river, and that’s why it’s still used.

The multi-decked ship, commonly used during the Qin and Han dynasties, was one of ancient China’s large warships. It got its name because the multiple decks made it look like a building.

A pottery boat from the Eastern Han and a five-oar wooden boat from the Western Han.

A bronze drum with boat motifs from the Western Han, featuring a dragon-boat race pattern from the ancient Dian people on the waist.

This is another treasure of the museum—the Spring and Autumn Period great-winged war boat. Made entirely of gold, it represents war boats from the Spring and Autumn period, reflecting the economic strength and technical skill of the Wu state.

The passenger boat in “Along the River During the Qingming Festival,” a classic inland waterway vessel. It has big windows on both sides for good lighting and a decent storage capacity.

A replica model of an ancient shipwreck discovered in Quanzhou Bay, belonging to the fu ship type.

The exquisite details on the model, though a replica, testify to the sophistication of ship design and economic development at the time.

Some pictures also show relics and pottery jars retrieved from ancient shipwrecks.

The Great Ming Amalgamated Map, drawn by Chinese hands, is the earliest extant large-format world map in color. It even includes Africa, which was extremely rare at the time, giving this map immense collectible value!

Some ship components bearing the marks of time are also on display.

This is a stone stele from a Buddhist temple in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), transported from China by Zheng He’s fleet.

These are exquisite export items from the Thirteen Hongs of Guangzhou.

Different types of sails used on ancient ships.

A rudder salvaged from the mouth of the Yangtze River, similar to those found at the Ming Dynasty “Liuzuotang” site in Nanjing, but this is the first time I’ve seen such a huge one—it’s fairly well preserved.

Exquisite models of ancient foreign ships suddenly give off a “Pirates of the Caribbean” vibe.

As early as ancient times, people could draw such exquisite coastal defense maps of Jiangsu, complete with islands and embankments for each sea area!

Time moves on, and soon we arrive at the era of the Opium Wars. Frequent foreign trade brought with it the greedy ambitions of the powers. This painful history roused the Chinese people to strive for self-strengthening and launched their own shipbuilding endeavors.

The Yidun, a steam-powered mail ship purchased from the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. It was the first merchant vessel owned and operated by China’s modern national shipping industry.

A hall transitioning from modern to contemporary times displays a replica ancient vessel, but history will always be history.

In modern times, cargo ships, icebreakers, aircraft carriers, and submarines have gradually come into view. In terms of technology and overall capability, China’s maritime industry is developing at a rapid pace, reaching a clear leading level. The various models on display alone are enough to fill our hearts with pride and patriotism.

The ocean is complex, and as people explore, technology continues to evolve. China’s maritime enterprise will only get better and better!

After seeing so many ship models in the first hall, you might wonder, “How are ships built?” Well, head over to the Ships Hall and you’ll find out.

As you enter, you’ll see four different ship bows and probably feel curious—can there really be so many types? Each bow design serves a specific purpose; for example, one might be for an icebreaker, another for a cruise ship. Different needs and purposes lead to different structures.

The massive hull in the main hall piques everyone’s curiosity. Although not life-size, it gives a good idea of a modern ship’s internal structure, and the model is so detailed that the sailors look lifelike.

Beside the large ship model, many maritime rescue devices are displayed, such as hovercraft, fire extinguishers, and life jackets. We only learned today why life jackets are orange: on one hand, the fluorescent color is easy to spot; on the other, it resembles a venomous sea snake, which sharks tend to avoid—ensuring the safety of those adrift at sea!

Another hall features another wooden ship, a Ming Dynasty fast boat. It’s a 1:2 scale replica of the original, fitted with leeboards on both sides. One side is cut away to give visitors a better understanding of the shipbuilding techniques of the time.

In modern times, shipbuilding craftsmanship has become incredibly refined. The beautiful structural drawings amaze even an engineering student like me—they are simply gorgeous. It’s through such blueprints that modern ships are built, one after another.

Where are ships built? Models tell the story. These finely crafted models vividly show shipyard scenes, much more vividly than visiting the actual site would.

Welding experience—unfortunately paused due to the pandemic. Hope to give it a try next time.

The Ships Hall’s most vivid display is the surround-screen cinema, where you can watch the process of ship construction—it’s fascinating. Since the film isn’t short, you may have to queue for a while~

For us visitors, building a ship model ourselves would be a wonderful hands-on experience. Though the workshop is temporarily closed, there’s always a chance to make a model for yourself and display it in your showcase at home~

The power units of ship propulsion—machinery that powers all types of vessels.

Besides ships, there’s also a simulated submarine interior. The complexity is astonishing, and though submarines aren’t the main focus here, it’s still fascinating to get a feel for the magical inner structure.

Seafarers, an indispensable part of the maritime industry—let’s get to know their life at sea. For many of us, this profession is distant and unfamiliar. Only occasionally, through TV documentaries, do we see seafarers who go to sea for months or even years before returning home. But in reality, the job demands a very comprehensive body of knowledge.

Everything about seafarers is displayed here: their work, daily life, and some related documents.

The display of living quarters is essential. Not everyone has been on a cruise ship, so this may be a new concept. Seeing these rooms gives visitors an idea of seafarers’ living and working environment. A child standing nearby said, “They live so well,” and we all exchanged smiles.

In the Seafarers Hall, there’s also a fun experience: a navigation simulator. Step into the room and you can see what the captain sees from the bridge, offering a taste of life at sea—very interesting. However, only five people are allowed inside at a time, so if you’re interested, be sure to queue up first. It’s a very popular activity!

Outside the Seafarers Hall, there’s a rope-tying tutorial, but it’s temporarily stopped due to the pandemic. Come back and try it next time~

Although I don’t know much about military affairs, when I walked into the “Military & Navigation” hall, I was blown away by the exquisite warship models. The Military Navigation Hall covers two aspects: the construction of the People’s Navy and general warship knowledge. The space isn’t large, but the exhibits are impressive.

Look closely at the aircraft carrier models: every part is meticulously detailed—shells, aircraft, everything. Even for someone like me who loves collectible figurines, I secretly found myself wanting them.

And if you’re like me and not savvy about military matters, don’t worry: every aircraft carrier model is a faithful replica, and each has an accompanying panel telling its story. Each story is a piece of important history, a past you can’t forget!

After seeing so many ship models, shipbuilding techniques, and nautical people and events, it’s time to learn about navigation technology and ports~

We’re now nearing the end of the visit, but every detail here is closely linked to the theme of navigation—like the “organs” of the sea!

Upon entering, you’ll first see many old items in display cases. These are actually various navigational instruments used throughout history to ensure safe navigation. Though the designs have evolved slightly over the ages, their basic functions and purposes remain the same. Examples include chronometers, sextants, and octants. The docent explained their functions in simple terms and used stories to bring them to life, such as why the Titanic’s distress wasn’t answered in time by nearby ships after it struck the iceberg.

There are also international signal flags. I get dizzy just looking at the sheer number of flags, but each one carries a meaning. Several flags together can convey crucial rescue information—absolutely essential at sea!

Take dredgers, for example—a type of vessel not sold abroad. We later learned that Yangshan Port was also built with the help of such ships!

Many travelers love to visit lighthouses at Cape of the Sea and take photos. You probably know lighthouses serve as navigational aids, but what you may not know is that beyond the lighthouse, there are also pilots—and it’s a very dangerous job, yet essential in every sea area! A pilot who passes the exam for this port cannot use that certification at another port. The precision required is that exacting!

Lighthouses also serve to mark territorial sovereignty. This red-and-white striped lighthouse on display is actually a model of a lighthouse on China’s southernmost Nansha Islands—a statement of national territory!

Dioramas recreate the bustling scenes of old Shanghai’s port, showing the progression from past to present.

And now, with ports built along more and more coastlines, trade and cultural exchange have accelerated. The model here shows the harbor of Tianjin.

Back to Shanghai now: the museum displays the city emblem, which features a sailing ship, symbolizing Shanghai as a port of economic and trade, setting sail into the distance.

Finally, the appearance of Yangshan Deepwater Port unfolds before us—the world’s largest automated container terminal today. I won’t go into the construction details, since many have already visited and admired the container terminal. This brings us full circle: the maritime culture radiating from the Lingang area forms a complete sightseeing itinerary. From Dishui Lake, cross the Donghai Bridge by car and you’ll reach Yangshan Deepwater Port. If you take your kids for a two-day maritime culture exploration over a weekend, it would be a wonderful experience!

July 5th marks the 10th anniversary of the China Maritime Museum, so visitors these days are in for a treat~

On the first floor, there’s a “Maritime Life Festival” activity. I didn’t notice it at first, but then I discovered this fun event! Glad I didn’t miss it!

Usually, parents get the activity stamp card for their kids, but I wanted to be a “kid” too. The stamp-collection card has route directions; just take it and collect stamps at each checkpoint!

The activities are quite varied: filling a star-shaped glass bottle with colorful beads, DIY boat model making, shooting hoops, and more—each one highly engaging. Of course, we were most looking forward to the final prize~

Look how much fun Kaikai is having with the water beads!

These water beads are soaked in water and come in all colors. Not only do kids love them, we adults do too, lost in the joy of picking beads and filling bottles.

Of course, VR rowing is a hit with both children and adults. The queue here is the longest; you have to use physical force to paddle a dugout canoe in VR—quite entertaining!

Another popular activity is the remote-controlled boat. I’m sure you’ve played with similar things. Although Kaikai is still young, his enthusiasm for boats was beyond control. He must be full of questions, waiting to be answered someday!

I also managed to collect all the stamps within half an hour, fulfilling my great stamp mission!

After collecting all stamps, you can get a 10th-anniversary badge of the Maritime Museum. Many kids excitedly pinned it to their clothes right away. But don’t think it’s over yet—the stamp card also entitles you to several big lucky draws, with a pretty high winning rate. If you leave, you’ll definitely miss out on prizes~ These maritime-themed activities really add a lot of fun to the museum and made me like the museum even more~

My well-informed friend Sangsang kept recommending the museum’s special exhibition. The special exhibition changes periodically and features specific themes—sometimes tied to current events or festivals. The one we saw was “The Intertwining of Modern Shanghai City and the Sea.”

I’ve recently been shooting some old memories of Shanghai, but this special exhibition’s theme is even older, dating back to the Republican era. As a port city, Shanghai’s development is inseparable from the globalization brought by navigation. Shanghai’s unique “Haipai” culture also emerged from frequent trade, creating such a diverse cultural landscape.

Besides recreating the ambience of old Shanghai through sets, the exhibition also displays some vintage objects, like old newspapers, rickshaws, and qipao dresses. It instantly transported us Shanghai locals back to that era.

Some picture-story books, which we call “little people’s books,” have now become antiques with time—hard to find on the market!

“Night Shanghai, night Shanghai, you are a city that never sleeps.” The moment I saw the Paramount stage, it felt like a songstress was right in front of me, singing this tune with all her charm.

Though the exhibition isn’t large, it takes us through the transformation of Shanghai’s old town into the “Great Shanghai,” giving me plenty of inspiration for my old-Shanghai collection. Oh, and this special exhibition runs until October 12. If you’re interested, drop by!

China Maritime Museum address: No. 197 Shengang Avenue, Lingang New City, Pudong New Area, Shanghai (near Dishui Lake)

Public transport: Metro Line 16, transfer to bus 1096, or take a 10-minute taxi ride

By car: S20 Outer Ring Expressway (towards Pudong Airport) -> S2 Expressway (towards Donghai Bridge) -> exit at Lingang New City, drive straight along Shengang Avenue to the museum (free parking at the museum)

Opening hours: 9:30–16:00, closed on Mondays except public holidays

Ticket info: Adults RMB 30/person, students RMB 15/person, seniors aged 60–69 RMB 10/person. Free admission for children 6 years old and under or 1.4 meters and under, seniors 70 and above, active military personnel, national comprehensive fire rescue personnel, police officers, retired cadres, retired military personnel, seafarers, disabled persons, families of martyrs, medical workers nationwide, and members of the Museum Association with valid ID.

Pandemic reservation notice: 1. Book your visit time in advance via “Shanghai Tour Code” (maximum 4,000 visitors per day); 2. Prepare your “Health Code” – green code required for entry; 3. Wear a mask during the visit; 4. Some interactive exhibits have limited capacity per session