Machu Picchu treasures to make China debut in Shanghai

​Machu Picchu, the iconic Inca site in Peru. [Photo/NEON Global]

Shanghai Museum and NEON, a world-leading producer of immersive entertainment, have announced a partnership to bring the blockbuster exhibition Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru to Shanghai in June 2026. This will mark the exhibition's first appearance in China.

Machu Picchu, located 75 kilometers northwest of Cuzco, Peru, stands at an elevation of about 2,350 meters atop a mountain ridge overlooking the Urubamba River. Surrounded by tropical forest, this iconic 15th-century Inca citadel is one of the new seven wonders of the world and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.

As the sixth stop of its global tour, and the largest edition to date, the exhibition will showcase more than 300 historical artifacts on loan from the Museo Larco in Peru. Among them, 116 objects will be leaving Peru for the first time.

​The exhibition features a collection of artifacts from Andean civilizations. [Photo/NEON Global]

Drawing on cutting-edge virtual reality, immersive soundscapes, and multisensory installations, the exhibition will take visitors on a journey through the myths, rituals, and artistic legacy of the Inca civilization. Spanning over 1,500 square meters, the Shanghai presentation will recreate everything from the Andean peaks to the legendary stone city of Machu Picchu, offering an unprecedented journey into the world of the "Golden Empire".

Shanghai Museum, one of the world's most comprehensive collections of ancient Chinese art, has set a record with its major exhibition On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt, attracting 2.77 million visitors over 13 months. Building on that success, the museum offers an ideal stage for NEON's visually stunning and educational portrayal of the Inca civilization.

The collaboration also holds deep cultural significance: 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Museo Larco and the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Peru. The exhibition will stand as a tribute to cultural exchange and friendship between the two nations.

​The exhibition features a collection of artifacts from Andean civilizations. [Photo/NEON Global]