Tradition Gets a Pop Twist: Jay Chou's Alter Ego Takes Over Shanghai Museum

The Shanghai Museum has unveiled a bold experiment in blending antiquity with pop culture: a six-month immersive art show built around "Zhou Tongxue," the animated alter ego of Chinese pop star Jay Chou.

Opening Tuesday at the museum's People's Square branch, "Our Remarkable Ancestors: Chouchou's Time-Travel Adventure" pairs 12 of the museum's prized artifacts with digital art, holograms, robot performers, and virtual reality. The exhibition aims to spark a dialogue between tradition and trend, ancient ritual and contemporary imagination.

Curated with cultural consultant Vincent Fang, Chou's longtime lyricist, the show draws inspiration from the duo's signature blend of classical Chinese motifs and pop sensibilities. Visitors pass through a "time tunnel," encountering Bronze Age guardians, porcelain warriors, and even kung fu robots adorned with blue-and-white patterns. A VR zone allows guests to "restore" relics while collecting values like craftsmanship and harmony.

Officials said the project, staged during the 36th Shanghai Tourism Festival, reflects the museum's push to attract younger audiences. "We want to meet these treasures with a new attitude," said Chu Xiaobo, the museum's director. "It's about creating conversations across time."

If you go

Date: Through March 8, 2026

Venue: Shanghai Museum

Address: 201 People Avenue

Admission: Tickets start at 44 yuan (US$6), with a full-access pass at 128 yuan.