Shanghai Museum Hosts Largest Exhibition on Ancient American Civilizations

The Shanghai Museum launched "On Top of the World Tree: Ancient Civilizations of the Americas" in July 2026, marking the largest exhibition ever dedicated to the historical civilizations of the Americas. The exhibition showcases 1,129 object groups, totaling nearly 3,000 items, sourced from prominent museums and cultural institutions in Mexico, Peru, and China. Works from seven Chinese provinces are also included, alongside treasures from the Americas.

Organized around the concept of the World Tree, a central cosmological element in many ancient American cultures, the exhibition spans nearly three millennia of history. It employs high-fidelity reconstructions and multimedia installations across over 7,000 square meters of gallery space to immerse visitors in the spiritual worlds, architecture, and ritual practices of these ancient societies. The presentation moves beyond a conventional chronological display, connecting different civilizations through historical and cultural contexts.

Beyond the museum walls, the exhibition extends into the city through collaborations with several Shanghai-based institutions, including the Shanghai Zoo and Chenshan National Botanical Garden. This initiative aims to create a multidimensional cultural experience integrating the exhibition with urban life through cultural products, dining, and events. The museum has also developed integrated ticketing and themed consumption spaces to enhance visitor engagement and accessibility.

Accompanying the exhibition are over 3,000 related cultural products. To further extend the exhibition's atmosphere throughout the city, themed public transportation, including metro trains, buses, and Huangpu River cruises, has been introduced, offering visitors a pervasive immersion into the world of ancient American civilizations.