As the Shanghai Museum's most ambitious undertaking to date, it is the largest and most prestigious loan exhibition of Egyptian antiquities ever held in Asia.
With more than 2.7 million visitors expected, the Shanghai Museum's Egyptian exhibition "On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt" closes with a weeklong, 24-hour cultural marathon.
In a city known for its futuristic skyline and fast-paced development, one of the most talked-about events of the summer has taken visitors not forward, but backward, some 4,000 years into the past.
Since opening last July, the exhibition has drawn nearly 2.6 million visitors, with final attendance expected to surpass 2.7 million before it closes on August 17. As the museum's most ambitious undertaking to date, it is the largest and most prestigious loan exhibition of Egyptian antiquities ever held in Asia.
Over 95 percent of the artifacts are being shown on the continent for the first time, according to Shanghai Museum Director Chu Xiaobo. He made the remarks at a recent press conference, which also unveiled a 168-hour "cultural carnival" to celebrate the exhibition's final week.
The museum will remain open round the clock from August 11 to 17, with a series of special late-night programs, performances, and discounted midnight entry (12am-6am) tickets priced at 74 yuan (US$10). It is a first for the institution, which has rarely extended its opening hours beyond traditional limits.
Over 95 percent of the artifacts are being shown in Asia for the first time.
An Exhibition That Redefined the Category
The exhibition was part of the Shanghai Museum's "Dialogues with the World" series, aimed at building cultural bridges through blockbuster art shows.
Organized in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the show coincided with Shanghai's "Summer of International Consumption" campaign. Visitors arrived not just from across the city, but from across China – more than 70 percent of ticket-holders were out-of-town travelers, and the majority came to Shanghai specifically for the show, according to data released by the museum.
In a city that has increasingly become a testing ground for consumer and cultural trends, the exhibition's commercial and social ripple effects were far-reaching. Over 1,200 branded cultural products were developed in conjunction with the exhibition, with nearly 2.65 million items sold. Related merchandise and activities generated more than 400 million yuan in revenue. Officials estimate that the exhibition stimulated over 20 billion yuan in related consumption.
Beyond the numbers, it also seems to have left a global impression. According to Egyptian authorities, interest generated by the exhibition has contributed to a 65 percent rise in Chinese tourists visiting Egypt over the past year.
Since opening last July, the exhibition has drawn nearly 2.6 million visitors.
A Marathon Farewell
To close out the 395-day exhibition, the museum is staging a 7-day cultural marathon. Visitors will be able to explore the galleries overnight, while a carnival atmosphere takes over the museum's surrounding grounds. Themed events include Egyptian drumming, traditional dance, acrobatic performances, excerpts from the musical Aida, and appearances by performers dressed as ancient deities.
A new book titled "The Pyramid in China, Behind the Scenes of the Ancient Egyptian Civilization Exhibition," chronicling the exhibition's creation, will be released during the celebration. Published by Yilin Press, the volume offers an account of how the show was organized and why it became a cultural phenomenon. The book will be available both in print and as an e-book via Huawei Reading.
A new book titled "The Pyramid in China, Behind the Scenes of the Ancient Egyptian Civilization Exhibition," chronicling the exhibition's creation, will be released during the 7-day closing celebration.
In keeping with the immersive tone of the farewell week, visitors can also engage in activities such as decoding hieroglyphs, participating in craft workshops, and joining nightly raffles. Prizes range from Egyptian souvenirs to round-trip tickets between Shanghai and Egypt, and free 8-day tours in Egypt.
Outside the museum, a nightly market will run from 5:30pm to 9:30pm, featuring heritage snack brands and local craftspeople. Museum gift shops will launch a promotional sale, with merchandise discounts up to 50 percent and surprise "mystery boxes" priced as low as 10 yuan.
Outside the museum, a nightly market will run from 5:30pm to 9:30pm, featuring heritage snack brands and local craftspeople.
Visitors can engage in activities such as participating in craft workshops.
An interactive experience
A Moment of Reflection
On the evening of August 17, a short film will be screened onsite, honoring more than 1,500 individuals – curators, conservators, technicians, and volunteers – who contributed to the exhibition's success. Footage will include behind-the-scenes moments from the show's development and tributes to those who helped transport priceless antiquities across continents, and who staffed the exhibition through typhoons and holiday weekends.
In recent years, Chinese museums have taken on an increasingly dynamic public role, combining heritage with spectacle, and civic space with immersive experience. This exhibition, many observers note, may mark a new high-water mark in that evolution.
As thousands of visitors prepare for one final glimpse of ancient Egypt before the lights go out, the message from the Shanghai Museum is clear: the age of the blockbuster exhibition is not only alive, but flourishing.
168-hour carnival
Date: August 11-17, 12am-12pm
Venue: Shanghai Museum, People's Square
Address: 201 People's Avenue 人民大道201号
Tickets:74-148 yuan
Tickets can be bought through the WeChat mini program: Shanghai Museum Visiting Reservation 上海博物馆参观预约 and WeChat official account: Shanghai Museum 上海博物馆.