Shanghai Natural History Museum: Tickets & Hours 2026

Shanghai Natural History Museum tickets cost RMB 30 for adults. Standard hours are 09:00-17:00, with last entry at 16:00, and it normally closes on Tuesdays except national holidays. Real-name tickets are required and foreign passports are accepted.

The museum is a strong half-day choice for families, dinosaur enthusiasts and rainy-day visitors. Its ten permanent zones connect the origin of life, evolution, biodiversity, ecosystems, Shanghai's natural environment and humanity's future.

Admission, small theaters, the 4D cinema and education programs are separate bookings.

At a glance


Adult admission	RMB 30
Booking window	Seven days ahead, including the visit date
Entry sessions	09:00–12:30 or 12:30–16:00
Hours	09:00–17:00; last entry 16:00
Closed	Tuesdays, except national holidays
Passport	Accepted; bring the original
Time	3–4 hours; 4–5 hours with children

Location

The museum is inside Jing'an Sculpture Park at 510 West Beijing Road. Line 13, Natural History Museum Station, Exit 1 is the easiest route. It is about 2.6 km in a straight line from both the Bund and Jing'an Temple, 34.5 km from Pudong Airport and 13 km from Hongqiao Airport.

There is no public museum parking lot.

Why visit

Official figures describe more than 11,000 displayed specimens and models from seven continents, a large African savanna reconstruction, over 200 featured plants and animals in the “Gathering Across Time and Space,” live-animal areas and immersive theaters.

First-time priorities are the River of Life, the evolution and dinosaur content, one ecosystem gallery and the Shanghai Story section.

Shanghai Natural History Museum tickets

Use the official ticket portal, the “上海科技馆自然博物馆天文馆” WeChat mini program, or the Shanghai Natural History Museum website/WeChat account.

Every visitor, including a person eligible for free admission, needs a real-name ticket. Each passport or other valid ID can be used for one admission ticket per day. An unused ticket can normally be refunded through the original channel by 23:30 on the day before the visit.

Families should book early for weekends, holidays and school breaks. If the ticket route is unclear, use the Shanghai attraction booking guide to decide between official channels, WeChat, Trip.com-style products and backup plans.

Foreign passport procedure

Enter the passport type, full name and passport number exactly. Bring the original passport. Official group guidance has instructed foreign visitors to verify or exchange the booking at the on-site ticket service point before entry, so allow extra time.

For ticket problems call 021-62620116 or 021-62620280.

Small theater reservations

The Big Bang and Escape from the Cretaceous theaters are approximately 12 minutes each. The current official page lists online sessions at 10:00, 11:30, 13:30 and 15:30, released every Saturday at 13:00 for the following week.

Current walk-up voucher sessions are listed at 10:30, 12:30, 14:30 and 16:30. Vouchers are distributed after opening and can run out. Arrive ten minutes before the session. Health, age and pregnancy restrictions apply to motion experiences.

Book through 上海自然博物馆 WeChat → 参观服务 → 我要预约.

Routes

2.5 hours: River of Life → Evolution → one biodiversity/ecosystem gallery → Shanghai Story.
Family half-day: secure theater or activity places first, then dinosaurs, lunch break, live/biodiversity areas and one final gallery.
Afternoon ticket: prioritize four zones rather than attempting all ten.

Facilities

The museum provides free SNHM-wifi and a visitor service center. Live details for baggage storage, English guides, stroller and wheelchair use should be checked before publication. Food and drink are not permitted in galleries or cinemas.