Don't miss this Egyptian exhibition!
"Atop the Pyramid: The Grand Exhibition of Ancient Egyptian Civilization" is being held at the Shanghai Museum. This exhibition is the largest ever global and highest-level Asian exhibition of ancient Egyptian artifacts outside of Egypt, showcasing 788 artifacts from different periods of ancient Egypt. The exhibition runs from July 19, 2024, to August 17, 2025. This is an excellent opportunity to experience ancient Egyptian civilization up close. Here's a guide to visiting the exhibition.
- Ticket Information:
- Purchase Channels: Tickets for the following month are released at 12:00 pm on the 1st of each month on the "Shanghai Museum Visit Reservation" mini-program. Early bird tickets can be redeemed and reserved on the same mini-program, with 1,000 spots available each open day.
- Ticket Prices: Full price tickets are CNY 148; designated day tickets are CNY 135 (excluding the initial opening period, January-February 2025, July-August 2025, weekends, and national holidays); discounted tickets are CNY 74; parent-child tickets A (one adult and one child) are CNY 200. There are also combined tickets with "The Lost Pharaoh" and Huangpu River cruises.
- Transportation Guide:
- Subway: Take subway lines 1, 2, or 8 to People's Square Station. From the designated exit, head to the Shanghai Museum (People's Square). It's a few minutes' walk from the station.
- Bus: There are many bus routes nearby. Check bus stops and choose one near People's Square.
- Exhibition Route: The exhibition has three main themed halls: "The Pharaoh's Realm," "Secrets of Saqqara," and "The Age of Tutankhamun." It is recommended to start with "The Pharaoh's Realm," where you can learn about ancient Egyptians' cosmology, social order, writing system, and more, presenting a condensed history of ancient Egyptian civilization. Then, proceed to "Secrets of Saqqara," which showcases major archaeological discoveries from the Saqqara region, including numerous cat mummies and exhibits related to the cat goddess Bastet. Finally, visit "The Age of Tutankhamun" to see artifacts related to Tutankhamun and his era, experiencing that particular period of history.
- Must-See Artifacts:
- Head of the Statue of Senusret I: Standing 2.35m tall, wearing the white crown symbolizing the kingship of Upper Egypt, with a false beard adorning the chin, and bearing the name of Ramesses II.
- Cat Mummies and Their Coffins: Numerous in quantity, reflecting the ancient Egyptians' worship of sacred animals and the mature "industry" of animal mummification.
- Painted Anthropoid Coffin: Unlike conventional methods, the lower half utilizes the natural color of the wood and has inscriptions written directly on it.
- Colossal Statues of Akhenaten and Tutankhamun: Akhenaten's bust has an elongated face, upturned eyes, and thick lips. Tutankhamun's statue has a face more in line with the popular image of an Egyptian pharaoh. The two statues face each other across the hall, with the historical story of the 14th century BC behind them.
- Guided Tour Services:
- Paid Guided Tours: Registration is available at the entrance of the exhibition hall. Each group consists of 15-20 people, with lively explanations by professional guides. The fee is approximately CNY 150 per person (minimum 10 people), and the tour lasts 90 mins.
- Audio Guides: CNY 30 per device, similar to common museum audio guide devices, allowing for independent listening to artifact introductions.
- WeChat Guide: Scan the QR code at the exhibition hall or access it through "Shanghai Museum Official Account - GO Shanghai Museum - Special Exhibition Guide - Atop the Pyramid." It offers over 130 mins of free audio guidance focusing on 50 key artifacts.
- Cultural and Creative Products: The Shanghai Museum has designed over 1,000 cultural and creative products for this exhibition, with nearly 600 being launched initially. They cover five main series: "Cute God Guardians," "Gods' Beliefs," "Sacred Symbols," "Hieroglyphic Codes," and "Egyptian Scenery," including clothing, shoes, accessories, 3C digital products, home goods, trendy figurines, jewelry, stationery, cold drinks, and more. Items like papyrus that can be converted into Egyptian names, fun fridge magnets, and Eye of Horus beaded series are worth buying.
- Other Tips:
- Visiting Time: It is recommended to allow 3-5 hrs to fully appreciate the artifacts. Weekends and holidays are crowded, so consider visiting on a working day.
- On-site Services: Guide brochures are available at the entrance of the exhibition hall. Information and audio guide rentals are available at the service desk. There are rest areas and water fountains inside the museum.
- Photography Notice: Flash photography is prohibited to avoid damaging the artifacts.