shanghai art museum [Shanghai]

Shanghai Art Museum (Shanghai Meishuguan)

Relocated in 2000 to the historic clock tower building on the northwest end of People's Square, the museum is more to be seen for its 1930s monumental interior architecture than for its art. The artworks in the 12 exhibit halls are certainly worthy of note, ranging from modern traditional oils to recent pop canvases, but they are overwhelmed by the fastidiously restored wood and marble interiors of this 1933 five-story neoclassical landmark. People's Square, today's Renmin Guangchang, was a racecourse in colonial times, and today's clock tower, erected in 1933, marks the location of the original grandstand of 1863. After 1949, the building was used as the Shanghai Museum and the Shanghai Library. Today, in addition to the artwork, there is a classy American restaurant, Kathleen's 5, on the fifth floor

Hours Daily 9am-5pm (last tickets sold 4pm)

Address Nanjing Xi Lu 325

Location Huangpu (northwest edge of People's Park at Huangpi Lu)

Transportation Metro: Renmin Gongyuan

Phone 021/6327-2829

Web site www.sh-artmuseum.org.cn

Prices Admission ¥20 ($2.50)