Industrial museums reflect past glory of Zhabei
Print Edition
Zhabei District got its name after Shanghai opened its port — it means “north of the water gate” in Chinese. Starting in 1899, local businessmen decided to rapidly develop Zhabei to compete against the city’s foreign concessions, and the district gradually became an industrial and commercial center.
In 1937, the Japanese army destroyed most of the district’s enterprises. However, the district has made an effort to preserve its heritage as an old industrial center, and many industrial museums have been established so the past glories of the district won’t be forgotten.
Here are some of the industrial museums in Zhabei District, where you can see how the industries worked both in times past and how changes that have led to modern industries.
¥ Shanghai Glass Museum
This museum has a collection of over 5,000 eyeglasses, dating all the way back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
With about 1,500 square meters of exhibition area, the museum explains the history and technology of glasses and eye health.
It explains how people’s eyes and glasses work, how glasses are made and the history of famous glasses brands.
Two fictional cartoon characters lead visitors into the world of glasses and make the tour more interesting with their humorous and vivid debates.
The museum is sponsored by the government and was established by the local community in 2006. It’s located in the community cultural center of Baoshan Road Subdistrict.
Address: 533 Baochang Rd
Open: 9am-11am, 2pm-4pm (closed on Monday, Thursday and Sunday)
Tel: 5697-7528, 5663-0086
Admission: 10 yuan
¥ Shanghai Railway Museum
Located on Tianmu Road E., Shanghai Railway Museum is built on the original site of the former Shanghai Railway Station, which was also called the Old North Station (Lao Bei Zhan).
The original historic station was built in 1909 in classical British style.
The museum opened in August 2004. It has more than 1,000 objects and models related to China’s railway construction and tells the history of railways since they were introduced in China in the 1860s.
It has about 1,000 square meters of indoor exhibition space and 1,300 square meters of outdoor display space, and shows antique trains, railways and an old station.
Two locomotives can be seen at the museum’s entrance, including a KD7-641, made in the United States in the 1940s. Its carriage was used by government officials during the Republic of China (1912-49).
A smaller engine is a SN-26 steam locomotive for a narrow gauge railway that was used in mountainous areas of Yunnan Province.
Visitors can also experience the transportation of previous eras through multimedia exhibits.
Address: 200 Tianmu Rd E.
Open: 9am-11am, 2pm-4pm (closed on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday)
Tel: 5122-1987, 5122-3010
Admission: 10 yuan, 5 yuan for students and retirees
¥ China Dairy Museum
Divided in three sections, the museum shows the history of Chinese dairy industry of ancient times, modern times and contemporary ages.
There are about 200 photos and 500 historic documents and objects.
Exhibits include a 1930s machine for making milk powder, ancient artwork depicting cows and ancient pottery for holding milk.
In 2000, China Dairy Industry Association and Dairy Association of China suggested building a museum to promote the culture of China’s dairy industry. The call was answered by Shanghai Bright Dairy and Food Inc, and the museum opened in 2001 and was renovated in 2004.
Address: 467 Wanrong Rd
Open: Monday-Friday, 9am-4:30pm
Tel: 5665-8452, 5603-6625 ext 291
Admission: Free
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