11 Galleries Open at Shanghai Museum

SHANGHAI — In People’s Park, where Red Guards used to wave Mao’s little red books and smash relics of a feudal past, the new Shanghai Art Museum was scheduled to open this weekend with a display of venerable national treasures, including a bronze collection reputed to be among the finest in the world.

The $70-million museum itself resembles a bronze urn--but that’s just a coincidence, says museum Director Ma Chengyuan. Among 11 galleries making their debut are jade, calligraphy and coin collections; three of the museum’s 14 galleries opened earlier this year.

The museum, at 101 People’s Ave., is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays. Admission: 25 cents adults, 6 cents children and students.