Shanghai Daily News
Nearly everywhere in the city, building sites are busy with activity creating
new structures to display the country's vast amount of historical artifacts.
Yangpu District has been especially busy in creating five museums and two
exhibition halls, most of which opened this year. This week, District Special
explores this northern area which provides an educational and fun history of
Chinese civilization and its development.
Printing Museum of China
Situated in the former Shanghai printing college, this 500-square-meter
museum may seem small but has much to offer. It is divided into various halls
covering the origins of printing, modern printing progress and new technology
and equipment exhibits.
An invention of Chinese, the printing industry has gone through thousands of
years of history which is evident in the museum's archaeological exhibits. The
selected sample room displays various printing artifacts that include ancient
engraved wood block printing, extracts from a rare movable-type printed book, as
well as examples of contemporary books, albums and the print used for trademarks
and negotiable securities.
The museum also focuses on information rather than just artifact eye candy to
let visitors understand China's rich and systematic history.
Address: 397 Neijiang Road (inside the University of Shanghai for Science and
Technology)
Tel: 6567-3589
Admission: Free
Shanghai Academicians Hall
Designed in the shape of an open book, this two-story building is considered
the last masterpiece by local artist Chen Yifei and a beautiful addition to
Yangpu's landscape.
Inside the hall, an introduction to 211 Chinese academics is on display along
with photos and some of their research papers. Examples include Chen Zhongwei
who completed the world's first leg transplant surgery, genetics expert Tan
Jiazhen and famed mathematician Zhu Daqian, to name just a few.
On the second floor, there is a room where visitors can "meet" 19 academics
through the wonders of technology. Using projectors and special screens, the
academics appear to address their audience with a short speech as soon as a
person stands in front of the screen. The high-tech feature brings fun and
motivation to the otherwise immobile display.
Address: 369 Guoshun Road E.
Tel: 5522-6050
Admission: 5 yuan (62 US cents)
Open on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
Huangxing Park
After experiencing a bit of intellectual engagement, some quiet activity and
a fancy place to relax is likely in need. Conveniently located beside the
Academicians Hall, the 467-hectare Huangxing Park is an ideal choice for those
who enjoy a picnic or a peaceful stroll among the greenery. Cycling around the
large park is another favorite activity here.
Constructed with the idea of creating a modern Jiangnan Garden, the park
features a big central lake, landscaped terraces and urban sculptures. Another
distinguishing feature if viewed from air, is that the park is shaped like a
crown.
Address: 269 Guoshun Road E.
Admission: Free
China Tobacco Museum
The world's largest tobacco museum, which was created with an investment of
180 million yuan, depicts the 400-year history of the popular smoke in China.
Spanning over 3,000 square meters and housing over 150,000 artifacts, the
museum provides a look at the history of the country's tobacco industry with
some cool interactive displays.
Divided into five sections, the museum features the development of tobacco,
tobacco agriculture, the industry, the tobacco economy and trade and tobacco
administration.
A touch-screen display includes more than 10,000 cigarette packages, while
the exhibits range from the agricultural production of tobacco to some cigarette
holders used by famous people, most notably one owned by late Chinese Chairman
Mao Zedong. In addition, elaborate water pipes from the 1800s and cigarette
advertisements from the early 20th century are also displayed.
The space also features a model of a tobacco transport ship and a replica
Mayan temple in Central America, one of the earliest producers of the plant.
With funding from the Chinese tobacco industry, the museum aims at promoting
a positive image of the sector, its importance to the national economy, its
cultural aspects and to expand its influence in society.
Address: 728 Changyang Road
Tel: 6535-9966
Opening hours: 9am-4pm
Admission: 10 yuan
