MORE than 100 of Shanghai’s privately owned museums will open to the public free of charge on Monday to mark International Museum Day.

The Shanghai Auto Museum, Shanghai Museum of Glass and China Maritime Museum are three of the 102 attractions taking part, Chu Xiaobo, deputy director of the Shanghai Cultural Heritage Administration told Shanghai Daily yesterday.

International Museum Day was established in 1977. This year’s theme is “Museums for a Sustainable Society.”

The Shanghai government always celebrates the event with a range of special offers. As well as the venues offering free admission on Monday, Shanghai Science and Technology Museum and the new Natural History Museum will offer half-price entry on the day.

“Some of the museums are likely to be very busy, so people are advised to make a reservation,” Chu said.

To help cope with the expected spike in visitors, 35 museums will stay open until 9pm on Monday, he said.

As well as the museums, several historic buildings in Jing’an District will open their doors to the public on Sunday and Monday. These include Tsung The Girls’ Middle School — the city’s first church school for girls, the Ohel Rachel Synagogue and Grace Baptist Church.

Another is the former home — at 746 Changle Road — of Gu Tinglong, erstwhile curator of Shanghai Library, which on Monday will open to the public for the first time ever.

“Many venues are off limits out of concerns they need to be protected,” said Yang Jiguang, director with the Jing’an Cultural and History Institute.

“But people should be allowed to visit these historic properties,” he said.

As well as the special offers available on Monday, 56 tourist attractions will offer half-price admission on Tuesday — China Tourism Day — the Shanghai Tourism Administration said.