While the Bund’s international architecture speaks of Shanghai’s openness and inclusiveness, and Yu Garden’s pavilions embody the elegance of the Jiangnan region, Shanghai School Painting and Calligraphy serves as a bridge between the city’s century-old history and the integration of Chinese and Western Cultures. As one of the most influential art schools in modern Chinese art history, the Shanghai School emerged during the opening-up of Shanghai in the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. Breaking the constraints of traditional literati painting, it integrated Western painting techniques with the vitality of urban life, forming a unique style characterized by “inclusiveness and accessibility to both refined and popular tastes” — a hallmark of Shanghai’s Culture.
For foreign visitors, exploring the traces of Shanghai School Painting and Calligraphy is not only an artistic experience but also the best way to understand Shanghai’s spirit of “embracing all rivers and pursuing excellence.”
To immerse yourself in the charm of Shanghai School Painting and Calligraphy, the Shanghai Museum is the first choice, known as the “art treasure trove” of the Shanghai School. Located at People’s Square, the Shanghai Museum (People’s Square Branch) has implemented free walk-in visits for individual visitors with valid ID since September 1, 2025 (reservations are still required during peak periods such as national holidays and school vacations), making it extremely convenient for foreign visitors. The museum’s painting and calligraphy gallery houses a large number of masterpieces by Shanghai School artists, covering the entire development process of the Shanghai School — from pioneers such as Zhao Zhiqian and Ren Bonian, to core figures like Wu Changshuo and Pu Hua, and to modern masters such as Cheng Shifa and Xie Zhiliu.
Among the collections, Ren Bonian’s “Celebration of Immortals” features smooth and vivid lines and diverse characters, perfectly combining traditional gongbi (fine brushwork) and xieyi (freehand brushwork) techniques. Wu Changshuo’s “Plum Blossoms in Ink” showcases bold and vigorous brushstrokes, blending the charm of golden stone inscriptions with the elegance of literati, fully reflecting the bold spirit of Shanghai School Painting. During your visit, you can use the Museum’s English audio guide to learn more about the creative background and artistic characteristics of each work, and feel the cultural connotation in the brushstrokes. Note that the museum is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM), closed every Monday (except national holidays), and elderly visitors over 65 and special groups can use the green channel.
If the Shanghai Museum is the “historical palace” of Shanghai School Painting and Calligraphy, then the new branch of Shanghai Helong Art Museum is a “friendly window” to get up close to rare works by Shanghai School masters. This new cultural landmark, located at 359 Qingsong Road in Qingpu District, officially opened in October 2025. It is open free of charge all year round without reservations, making it ideal for foreign visitors to spend half a day exploring. Curator Guo Weizhong has spent more than 20 years collecting over 300 works by renowned Shanghai School artists such as Zhang Daqian, Wu Hufan, Tang Yun, and Cheng Shifa, covering various themes including landscapes and flowers and birds. Masterpieces such as Zhang Daqian’s “Magnolia” and Cheng Shifa’s “The Small River Flows” are rarely seen elsewhere.
The art museum has 4 exhibition halls: B1, 1st, and 2nd floors focus on Shanghai School painting and calligraphy exhibitions, while the 2nd floor’s Imperial Lacquer Gallery houses more than 20 precious lacquer works from the 8th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign in the Qing Dynasty, which can “communicate from a distance” with the Wanshou Pagoda outside the museum, intuitively reflecting the “openness and integration” of Shanghai Culture. With a design of fair-faced concrete and glass curtain walls, the museum has excellent light and shadow effects, allowing you to take artistic and atmospheric photos easily. It is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed every Monday.
For foreign visitors who wish to deeply understand the development context of Shanghai School Painting and Calligraphy, the Shanghai Haipai Art Museum is a must-visit. Located at 1536 Xinzhen Road in Minhang District, this venue adheres to the core concept of “Grand Shanghai School” and regularly holds high-level Shanghai School painting and calligraphy exhibitions. As of 2026, there are two major permanent exhibitions in the museum: “Grand View of the Sea — Academic Research Exhibition of Modern Shanghai School Painting and Calligraphy Masters” (until June 7, 2026) and “Southern School and Northern Style — Research Exhibition of Painting and Calligraphy from Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties” (until May 10, 2026).
The former presents the 100-year development of Shanghai School Painting and Calligraphy through more than 60 works, while the latter sorts out the evolution of painting and calligraphy art in the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, allowing visitors to clearly see the inheritance and innovation between Shanghai School Painting and traditional painting. The museum is open from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM), closed every Monday. English guided tours are available, and you can consult and make reservations in advance to deeply understand the artistic connotation of Shanghai School Painting and Calligraphy.
In addition, the Cheng Shifa Art Museum and the Shanghai School Painting and Calligraphy Gallery in the Shanghai Museum East Branch are also worth visiting. Located at 1398 Hongqiao Road in Changning District, the Cheng Shifa Art Museum is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry at 5:00 PM), Tuesday to Sunday. It focuses on displaying the works of Mr. Cheng Shifa, whose works integrate Jiangnan culture and Shanghai School style, full of life atmosphere. The Shanghai School Painting and Calligraphy Gallery in the Shanghai Museum East Branch is located on the 2nd floor, divided into four sections to sort out the 1,000-year development of painting and calligraphy in Shanghai. However, please note that the gallery is temporarily closed from December 29, 2025, to February 13, 2026, for artifact renewal. You can check the official announcement to confirm the opening status before visiting.
In addition to visiting exhibitions, foreign visitors can also participate in some special experiences to deeply feel the charm of Shanghai School Painting and Calligraphy. Many venues regularly hold Shanghai School painting and calligraphy appreciation lectures and calligraphy experience courses, some of which provide English explanations. You can register in advance through the official WeChat public account to experience the fun of writing with a brush and feel the charm of Chinese ink and wash. At the same time, the cultural and creative stores around the venues have many cultural and creative products with Shanghai School painting and calligraphy themes, from bookmarks and postcards to reproduced paintings, which are both practical and memorable, making them the perfect choice to take away the memory of Shanghai School art.
Finally, here are some practical travel tips for foreign visitors: most Shanghai School painting and calligraphy venues are open free of charge, and some special exhibitions may charge fees; you can check the official website for details in advance. Taking photos and touching exhibits are prohibited in the venues, and food and beverages are not allowed to be brought in. In terms of transportation, the Shanghai Museum (People’s Square Branch) and Cheng Shifa Art Museum are directly accessible by Subway; Helong Art Museum and Haipai Art Museum can be reached by subway, then by bus or taxi. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and arrange your visiting time reasonably to avoid fatigue.
Shanghai School Painting and Calligraphy is a collision between tradition and modernity, and a fusion between East and West. Each work tells the story of this city. When you wander in these art palaces, staring at the mountains, rivers, sun, moon, and urban life in the brushstrokes, you can understand Shanghai’s tenderness and boldness, tradition and innovation. With a sense of curiosity and awe, walk into these art palaces and start your own art journey of Shanghai School Painting and Calligraphy, allowing the charm of ink and calligraphy to become the most precious memory of your trip to Shanghai.
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