The World's Largest Exhibition on the Ancient Civilizations of the Americas

The Shanghai Museum on People’s Square transforms into a cultural landscape dedicated to the ancient Americas starting July 17, 2026. The exhibition utilizes over 7,000 square meters of gallery space to move beyond traditional chronological displays, instead placing artifacts within their historical and spiritual contexts. Centered around the symbolic 'World Tree,' the museum environment incorporates visual motifs such as maize, jaguars, and feathered serpents to evoke the civilizations on display.

Visitors encounter a sensory journey that includes multimedia projections, participatory installations inspired by ceremonial ballgames, and high-fidelity architectural reconstructions. The experience begins outside with a maize field and continues through the atrium, engaging sight, smell, and taste. Advanced technology, including immersive VR experiences and multifunctional leisure spaces, helps translate complex concepts like the 'vertical cosmos' into a physical spatial journey for the public.

Beyond the museum walls, the project involves a citywide collaborative program in partnership with the Shanghai Zoo, Shanghai Expo Culture Park, and Chenshan National Botanical Garden. This multi-dimensional approach explores the connections between antiquities, animals, and plants. To integrate the event into urban life, themed metro trains, buses, and Huangpu River cruises will operate throughout the city, complemented by a range of over 3,000 exhibition-inspired cultural products.