Visit
Shanghai Museum of Glass
This former glass factory on the northeast edge of Shanghai is now a place to discover glass-making secrets from the past to now. It has more than 4,000 items, from ancient glass beads to artworks conceived with artificial intelligence software Midjourney. You can see works by the likes of Stanislav Libenský, Lino Tagliapietra, and El Ultimo Grito, and afterwards pay a visit to the Radiance Theatre for some interactive glass-blowing performances.
685 Changjiang W Rd, Baoshan, Shanghai
Art+ Gallery
Artist Lin Fanglu recommends this gallery located in the famous Yifeng Tower, within walking distance of Shanghai's famous Bund area. ‘Art+ Gallery was established in 2007 by four foreign friends but almost exclusively represents Chinese artists,’ she says. ‘It doesn’t just showcase art, it’s more of a stage for artists to showcase themselves. The space is exquisite, you can feel their love and respect of Chinese art intuitively.’
No.99 East Beijing Road, Unit L207, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Róng Design Library
Hangzhou, only a 20-minute bullet train ride away from Shanghai, is renowned for its picturesque scenery and silk heritage. Rooted in the area’s vernacular is this library, the first in China to focus on traditional crafts and materials. Created by PINWU Design Studio in 2015, it showcases detailed research into individual materials such as bamboo, silk, copper and paper, as well as regional craftsmanship and traditions. Its most recent weaving exhibit was unmissable; over 700 weaving specimens, tools, research notes, and items were presented.
Dongwu Hall, Qingshancun Village, Huanghu Town, Yuhang District, Hangzhou
Crafts Museum of CCA
Also in Hangzhou is the China Academy of Art’s craft museum, housed in a building designed by Kengo Kuma that’s a poetic reflection on the regional landscape and architecture. The museum’s collection has many ethnic and folk crafts including woodworking, weaving, dyeing, and shadow puppet-making. It’s a place that blends modern civilisation and traditional lifestyle philosophies, while furthering craft and folk art academia and research.
353 Xiangshan Village, CCA Xiangshan Campus, Xihu District, Hangzhou