The dog days of summer have arrived, and Shanghai’s heat and humidity are in full swing. Not in the mood to take the kids outdoors? Looking for some indoor fun instead?

We’ve curated two unique routes in Baoshan—one east, one west—each offering cool, comfortable indoor spots for a fun, hands-on DIY experience. Let’s dive into these two routes and beat the heat together!

Route 1

Shanghai University Museum

A Haipai Culture Museum in a Century-Old University

As the only museum in China dedicated to the study and exhibition of Haipai (Shanghai-style) culture, Shanghai University Museum is committed to preserving and promoting the city’s unique cultural heritage. It’s must-visit for families looking to explore the distinctive identity of Shanghai!

The second floor is home to a permanent exhibition on Haipai culture, showcasing iconic Shanghai-style cheongsams and the city’s local dialect. Over a hundred beautifully crafted cheongsams illustrate the evolution from tradition to modern fashion, with an innovative AR virtual try-on experience bringing history to life. A dedicated section recreates the city’s bustling street life through immersive audio installations, while performances of Shanghai farce add a touch of local theatrical charm. The exhibition design subtly mirrors the dynamic urban fabric of Shanghai, and in the final section, visitors can compose digital letters reflecting on their experience. These letters will be preserved, turning each visitor into a cultural bridge connecting the past to the future.

On the third floor, you’ll find two more permanent exhibitions: the Qian Weichang Memorial Exhibition and the Shanghai University History Exhibition. The Qian Weichang exhibit takes you through the life of the renowned scientist with a rich collection of manuscripts, works, and personal items, telling the story of his patriotism and dedication to “saving the nation through science.” Adjacent to this, the university’s history exhibition offers a fascinating journey through the institution’s 100-year legacy, featuring historical photographs, school badges, and artifacts that tell the story of perseverance and progress.

Visitor Information

Address: 333 Nanchen Road, Baoshan District

Transport:

Metro: Line 7, Exit 2 at Nanchen Road Station

By Car: No parking available on campus

Opening Hours:

July 7 - September 19:

Monday to Friday: 9:00-16:00 (last entry at 15:30)

Closed on weekends

Regular Hours:

Monday to Sunday: 8:30-16:30

Admission: Free (ID required for campus entry registration)

Bainuo Chocolate Museum

A Real-Life Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

As you approach the Bainuo Chocolate Museum, the building’s exterior—designed to resemble melting chocolate—immediately hints at the sweet adventure inside. This unique structure sets the stage for an immersive journey into the world of chocolate. Curious about cocoa’s origins or how raw beans become the chocolate we love? This museum has all the answers!

Upon entering, you’ll step into the Cocoa Jungle and History of Chocolate exhibition, where holographic projections and interactive displays bring to life key moments in chocolate’s rich history. Explore the lush equatorial rainforests where cocoa pods first bloomed, witness the ancient Mayans’ reverence of cocoa as the “food of the gods,” follow chocolate’s fascinating journey to China’s historic coastal trading ports, and relive the glamorous chocolate-filled soirées of early 20th-century Shanghai socialites.

The museum’s centerpiece, Footsteps of Progress, features industrial-style piping and 13 chocolate-making machines. Here, visitors are transported into the chocolate-making process, from grinding and refining cocoa beans to tempering and polishing the smooth, velvety chocolate. Interactive elements make the experience even more fun, allowing visitors to engage with the process at every step.

Once you’ve toured the exhibits, head to the DIY Chocolate Workshop, where kids can dive into hands-on chocolate making. Under expert guidance, they can pour rich, silky chocolate into molds, add toppings like crushed peanuts, and wait for their sweet creations to set. These delicious, personalized treats are the perfect take-home souvenirs—packed with creativity and warmth!

Note: The DIY workshop requires a separate admission. For more information, please follow the official Bainuo Chocolate Museum WeChat account.

Visitor Information

Address: 117 Jinqiu Road, Baoshan District

Transport:

Metro: Line 7, Exit 1 at Nanchen Road Station

By Car: Free parking for 2 hours

Opening Hours:

July 1 - August 31:

Sunday to Thursday: 10:00-17:30

Friday & Saturday: 10:00-21:30

Regular Hours:

Sunday to Thursday: 10:00-17:30 (Closed on Mondays)

Friday & Saturday: 10:00-21:30

Admission: Free (reservation via mini-program required)

Shanghai Baoshan International Folk Arts Exposition 

Engaging with the World Without Leaving Shanghai

  Curious about the world of “international folk art”? This museum offers a captivating glimpse into the “living” traditions, folk arts, and intangible cultural heritage from across the globe. Step inside, and you’ll be immersed in an innovative exhibition hall design inspired by the Chinese knot, where each “knot” symbolizes a thematic gallery. These intricate “knots” guide visitors on a fascinating journey through diverse world cultures.

With eight permanent galleries, the museum weaves a vibrant tapestry of cross-cultural and cross-temporal experiences, brought to life through multimedia elements like sound, light, and interactive technology. Exhibits range from China’s cherished folk arts to the ancient wonders of the Middle East and the raw mystique of Africa’s savanna. Children can also explore through hands-on installations—such as dragon boat racing, touhu (ancient Chinese arrow pitching), and African drumming—making learning a playful and immersive experience.

In addition, the museum hosts “24 Solar Terms: Celebrating China’s Heritage”—a series of themed events held throughout the year to honor each solar term. Looking ahead, the 2025 Intangible Cultural Heritage Youth Summer Camp will take place in August for children aged 6 to 12. Young visitors will explore the museum using a newly developed Research Handbook, and engage in workshops on traditional crafts like cloisonné enamel, meticulous brush painting, and straw weaving, all led by expert 

Note: Event schedules are subject to the official WeChat account updates.

Visitor Information

Address: 4788 Hutai Road, Baoshan District (near Gucun Park)

Transport:

Public Transit: Take Jiatai Line to Gucun Park (Hutai Highway Station), then walk approximately 800 meters

By Car: Free parking available

Opening Hours:

Daily: 9:00-16:00 (last entry at 15:30)

Admission:

Adults: RMB 30

Students: RMB 15

Shanghai Wood Culture Museum

A Sanctuary of Artisan Heritage

As China’s only museum dedicated to wood culture, the Shanghai Wood Culture Museum offers a rare glimpse into the world of timber science, wood carving, furniture design, and cultural heritage education, all housed in a vast and timeless collection.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a millennia-old camphor tree root, one of the museum’s most striking features. From there, the journey into ancient woodcraft begins, where you’ll uncover the genius behind mortise-and-tenon joints, feel the legacy of ancient carpenters’ chisels, and even participate in interactive sessions like Identify Wood by Scent, connecting deeply with the material.

The most captivating exhibit, “A Dream of Red Mansion: Cultural and Artistic Masterpiece”, stands as the museum’s crowning achievement. This 15-year-long collection of rare woods, masterful craftsmanship, and literary artistry transports you into the world of Jia Manor. The intricate carvings bring to life iconic locations such as Rongxi Hall and Xiaoxiang Pavilion, each piece telling stories of family legacy, cultural refinement, and historical change.

For families, the museum offers a truly immersive experience in its interactive zone. Children and adults alike can get hands-on with DIY projects like bamboo wind chimes, mortise-and-tenon stools, wooden robot figurines, and even ukuleles. These activities encourage a deeper appreciation for wood’s texture and cultural significance, sparking creativity and fostering a lasting connection to nature and craftsmanship.

Note: The interactive experience area is a paid attraction. Combo tickets can be purchased in advance.

Visitor Information

Address: Block D, 2751 Hutai Road, Baoshan District

Transport:

Metro: Line 7, Exit 2 at Shanghai University Station

By Car: Parking fee RMB 5/hour

Opening Hours:

Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30-17:00 (last entry at 16:30)

Closed on Mondays

Admission:

Adults: RMB 60

Seniors/Children: RMB 30

Route 2

Shanghai Furnace Park

Baowu Steel Exhibition and Expo Center

A Must-Visit Landmark in Shanghai

From the industrial ruins of a steel mill emerges a striking new landmark—a cyberpunk-inspired “Castle in the Sky”, where the roar of blast furnaces is now replaced by the reverberating echoes of art. This transformation represents the rebirth of Shanghai’s industrial heritage into a modern marvel.

Take the escalator to the second floor, and you’ll enter the “Time Tunnel,” a captivating passage that leads to the museum’s most awe-inspiring feature—the Golden Furnace. Once the heart of China’s steel industry, the 2,500-cubic-meter blast furnace of Shanghai’s No. 1 Steel Mill now stands bathed in a dramatic dark-gold glow. Rusted gears throw shadowy patterns on the walls, while soot-streaked air ducts softly whisper tales of the industrial age that once powered the nation.

The top level offers an experience not to be missed. From here, you can gaze down at the intricate layers of the furnace, and at the same time, enjoy sweeping views of the city skyline. Looking outward, you’ll see Glory Square with its mirrored pool, musical fountain, and the giant red violin—all framed in a breathtaking panorama that blends industrial heritage with modern urban beauty.

Visitor Information

Address: 735 Changjiang Road, Baoshan District

Transport:

By Car: Free parking available

Opening Hours:

Irregular opening schedule (Check “Jinse Lutai” (Shanghai Furnace Park) WeChat Official Account for details)

Admission:

Ticket: RMB 50

Yang Design Museum

A Treasure Trove of Design Wonders

From handcrafted straw raincoats of a bygone era to motorcycles that defined the industrial age, and smartphones that shape our digital world—the Yang Design Museum, China’s first private industrial design museum, offers an unexpected journey through time and innovation.

The museum’s overall space is characterized by an airiness and futuristic “Virtual Landscape” installation. Its pure and white background creates a strong contrast in texture with timeworn industrial relics, blending the past and future into a seamless experience where virtual and real worlds intersect.

In the Permanent Exhibition Hall, thousands of collections from around the world are displayed. Spanning the eras of craftsmanship, industrialization, and the digital age, these collections offer a fascinating glimpse into the lifestyles and cultural aesthetics of different regions, eras, and ethnic groups.

Visitor Information

Address: Building C8, Zhongcheng Zhigu, 258 Changjiang Road, Baoshan District

Transport:

Metro: Line 3, Exit 1 at Songfa Road Station

By Car: Parking fee RMB 7/hour

Opening Hours:

Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00-18:00 (last entry at 17:00)

Closed on Mondays

Admission:

Adults: RMB 60

Students: RMB 30

Reservation required

China Industrial Design Museum

Savoring the Evolution of Chinese Industrial Design

As the nation’s first museum dedicated exclusively to industrial design, the China Industrial Design Museum chronicles China’s transformative journey from imitation to manufacturing and finally intelligent creation through a temporal narrative.

Step into the galleries, where iconic artifacts like the original Hongqi sedan, vintage sewing machines, and retro televisions evoke nostalgia for “the good old days.” These memory-laden exhibits, enhanced by clever lighting and spatial design, beautifully blend the practicality of industrial design with its emotional resonance, inviting visitors to reflect on their own generational stories through the lens of these objects.

Equally engaging are the family-friendly interactive programs. In the workshop zone, parents and children can come together to create DIY projects, from customizing caps and T-shirts to assembling bicycle, automobile, and aerospace models. These hands-on activities offer a fun, educational experience while providing lasting, personal mementos of the visit.

Visitor Information

Address: 2F, Building 3, 3000 Yixian Road, Baoshan District

Transport:

Metro: Line 3, Exit 1 at Songfa Road Station

By Car: Parking fee RMB 6/hour

Opening Hours:

Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30-17:00 (last entry at 16:30)

Closed on Mondays

Admission:

Adults: RMB 45

For details, please refer to the “SAIC International Industrial Design Center” WeChat Official Account.

Friendly Reminder

Safety first—please keep an eye on your children. 

Respect others and maintain good museum etiquette. 

Travel light and stay protected from the heat.