Shanghai Glass Art Museum

Shanghai Glass Art Museum

The museum has a total investment of over 20 million RMB, making it the first industry museum in China and Asia to comprehensively showcase glass art. It stands near Xintiandi, the fashion hub of Shanghai. Its exterior alone is inlaid with more than 4,800 transparent glass bricks that resemble the texture of rocky cave surfaces. A massive golden peony flower, spanning 10 meters in width, 5 meters in height, and weighing 1 ton, hangs prominently on the glass wall as if blooming from within, catching the eye remarkably. Not just the exterior—every detail of the museum radiates design elements, even the ceiling of the elevator room features a fantastical multimedia projection.

The museum stands near Xintiandi, the fashion hub of Shanghai. Its exterior alone is inlaid with more than 4,800 transparent glass bricks that resemble the texture of rocky cave surfaces. A massive golden peony flower, spanning 10 meters in width, 5 meters in height, and weighing 1 ton, hangs prominently on the glass wall as if blooming from within, catching the eye remarkably. Not just the exterior—every detail of the museum radiates design elements, even the ceiling of the elevator room features a fantastical multimedia projection.

The Glass Museum is divided into two floors: the downstairs exhibition area displays a series of ancient Chinese glass works, masterpieces by world-renowned glass artists, and new creations by 10 modern international glass artists. The upstairs exudes a strong oriental atmosphere, featuring representative works by Yang Hui-shan, an artist from the Glass Workshop. Six exhibition areas highlight two main themes: Buddhist art creations and extensions/reinterpretations of the artistic conception found in Chinese literature and calligraphy.

The most astonishing exhibit is the “Great Wish of This Life” Guanyin statue, which took 10 years to create. This three-dimensional reproduction based on a mural from the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang during the Yuan Dynasty stands 4.5 meters tall and is the only non-glass artwork in the museum. Above it is a meticulously designed multimedia projection of flying apsaras, while beneath the Guanyin are delicate yellow glass lotus flowers.

After nightfall, the Glass Museum transforms into an art salon. The daytime display podiums slowly descend by mechanical control to become bars. Chairs tucked away at the side of the podiums extend outward. At this time, the glass walls, once bathed in sunlight, become colorful dynamic screens under the lighting. Visitors can enjoy the bar atmosphere while appreciating the cool elegance of glass art. Moreover, all tableware used for tasting fine wine and desserts inside the museum are glass artworks, making them irresistible to visitors.

Address: No. 25 Taikang Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai

Type: Museum

Recommended visiting time: About 2 hours

Official website: http://www.liulichinamuseum.com/sc/index.aspx

Social accounts:

Opening hours:

Museum exhibition area: Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–17:00; Museum gift shop: Monday–Sunday 10:00–22:00; Xiaosantang Restaurant: Monday–Sunday 11:00–23:00.

Transportation

Take Metro Line 9 and get off at Dapulu Station

Admission

20 RMB per person