Shanghai is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, and functions as a global financial centre. This sprawling metropolis has a population of over twenty-four-million people, making it the most populated city-proper in the world. Given that is a commercial capital, there are many choices of accommodation on offer, ranging from hotels to the concept of the service apartment Shanghai is known for with examples such as Ascott Heng Shan Shanghai. There are many captivating attractions this unique city has to offer, but one of the most essential is the Natural History Museum.
The museum came into existence in 1956 and was housed in a historic building that was constructed by the British in the early 1920s. In 1994, the classic structure earned the distinction of a heritage building. Upon the establishment of an elevated road just metres in front of the museum, the decision was made to vacate it to a new location.
A brand new specialised building was constructed for the museum, boasting more than forty-thousand square metres of floor space, and opened in 2015. The museum is now a comprehensive adventure into the natural world, and features an incredible ten-thousand-plus artefacts collected from the world’s seven continents. The museum includes a large variety of animal specimens, including very rare species such as giant salamanders and pandas as well as Yangtze Alligators, who are listed as critically endangered with less than 150 animals in the wild.
The building’s structure itself is captivating and each wall depicts natural elements such as vegetation, cellular structures and tectonic plates, creating an astonishing sight. If you ever find yourself in Shanghai this museum is a crucial visit since you will get to experience a bounty of unique sights, and learn some intriguing knowledge about the natural history of our entire planet. It is surely an experience not to be missed.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.