Maritime Museum
Maritime Museum
About 60 km southeast of Shanghai, the China Maritime Museum traces the country's naval history in a sail-shaped building designed by Meinhard von Gerkan.
The China Maritime Museum stands on the western bank of the artificial Dishui Lake, in the central area of Lingang New Town, approximately 60 km southeast of Shanghai. It is the only national maritime museum validated by the State Council of the People's Republic of Chine. Its sail-shaped silhouette, clad in light gray granite, houses 21,000 m² of interior exhibitions dedicated to Chinese naval history, shipbuilding, and great figures in navigation, including Admiral Zheng He.
Why visit the Maritime Museum
- The only state-recognized national maritime museum, serving both scientific and educational purposes.
- Architecture signed by the German firm Meinhard von Gerkan, with two sail-shaped hulls soaring over 70 m high.
- Six thematic galleries covering Chinese maritime history, from ancient times to contemporary naval forces.
- A dedicated hall to Zheng He, a Muslim Hui eunuch admiral who led expeditions to the Middle East and East Africa.
- A 4D cinema and navigation simulator cabin for an interactive visit, family-friendly.
History and architecture
Construction of the museum took place between 2005 and 2010. The project was entrusted to German architect Meinhard von Gerkan, whose firm is renowned for buildings with large hull structures. The four-story building deploys two symmetrical parallel wings over a surface area of 46,434 m². Above the main exhibition hall, two curved sail-shaped hulls rise over 70 m, and their intersection is clad in a glazed element resembling a stretched net.
The institution was designed to trace Chinese naval history in all its facets: navigation, shipbuilding, ports, maritime safety, military navy. A significant portion of the tour is dedicated to Zheng He, a Hui navigator of the Ming Dynasty whose fleets reached African shores in the 15th century, which explains the museum's location in this Yangtze Delta region facing the sea.
What to see in the museum
The museum features six main exhibition halls, a spherical astronomy room, two cinema halls, a children's play area, and a conference room. In total, 21,000 m² are dedicated to interior exhibitions and 6,000 m² to outdoor spaces.
Maritime History Hall
The tour traces the evolution of Chinese navigation techniques in three periods: ancient, modern, and contemporary eras. This is where the most educational pieces on major maritime routes and Zheng He's expeditions are concentrated.
Ships Hall
It exhibits boat components and their manufacturing process. Centerpiece: a model of a Ming Dynasty merchant ship, 25 m long, at 1/6 scale. An interactive workshop teaches how to tie naval knots.
Sailors Hall
Objects, uniforms, and documents evoke the daily life of navigators. At its center, a navigation simulation cabin allows visitors to step into the role of a captain and understand the complexity of piloting a modern vessel.
Navigation, safety, and military navy halls
The maritime affairs and safety hall addresses regulatory management and rescue and anti-piracy operations. The military navigation hall presents warship models, flags, and sailor uniforms.
4D Cinema and Planetarium
The 4D cinema hall can accommodate over 180 spectators. On the program, approximately 10-minute projection on the history of pirates, with dynamic seats (seven types of movements) and climatic effects: storms, lightning, rain, smog. The planetarium complements the visit with an astronomical approach to navigation.
Practical information
- Visit duration: allow 2 to 3 hours to tour all the halls, longer with the 4D screening and planetarium.
- Hours: open during the day, generally from morning until mid-afternoon, with final entry approximately 30 minutes before closing. Check updated hours before your visit.
- Admission: moderate entrance fee, with an additional charge for the 4D cinema hall.
- Audience: family-friendly thanks to interactive features and play areas.
How to get there
The museum is located approximately 60 km from central Shanghai, in the new town of Lingang.
- By metro: take Line 16 to the Dishuihu station, exit 2, then take a connecting bus to the museum.
- By bus: line 1096 serves the Huanhuxi station on Shen'gang Avenue; plan for approximately 400 m walk to the entrance.
- By taxi or ride-sharing: convenient option to save time from the city center, especially for group trips.
Nearby
The Maritime Museum can be integrated into a larger stay in Shanghai and eastern Chine. A few complementary visits:
- Shanghai Museum — reference for understanding Chinese history and arts, in the heart of the city.
- Yuyuan Garden — classical Ming Dynasty garden in the old town.
- West Lake in Hangzhou — emblematic cultural landscape of the southern Yangtze Delta.
- Nanjing Massacre Memorial — major historical stop for those continuing to Nanjing.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
It is located in Lingang New Town, on the western bank of the artificial Dishui Lake, approximately 60 km southeast of Shanghai.
Allow 2 to 3 hours for the main halls. With the 4D screening and planetarium, the visit can take up a half-day.
Yes. Navigation simulation cabin, naval knot workshop, play areas, and 4D cinema make the visit particularly interactive.
The simplest way is to take Line 16 of the metro to Dishuihu station, followed by a connecting bus. Bus 1096 also serves the nearby Huanhuxi station.
Chinese naval history as a whole: navigation, shipbuilding, ports, maritime safety, and military navy. A significant section is dedicated to Admiral Zheng He.
Include the Maritime Museum in your trip
The Maritime Museum is an original complementary stop during a stay in Shanghai, particularly for travelers interested in the history of great Chinese expeditions. To build a custom itinerary combining Shanghai, the Yangtze Delta, and other regions, explore our ideas for travel in Chine.
Interested in this visit?
We can include it in your personalised itinerary.
