Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum

The Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum commemorates the approximately 20,000 Jewish refugees who found shelter in Shanghai during World War II, primarily in the Tilanqiao area of Hongkew. The museum is housed in the former Ohel Moshe Synagogue, built in 1927. It serves as a historical site documenting this unique chapter of Holocaust history, when Shanghai became one of the few places in the world accepting Jewish refugees without requiring visas. The museum preserves personal stories, documents, and artifacts from this period. The current operator record gives a definite status and admission position. Tuesday–Sunday 09:00–17:00; ticket sales and entry end at 16:00. Closed Monday. CNY 20 for an adult. Real-name admission requires valid identification; a passport is accepted.

The museum contains exhibition halls with historical photographs, documents, and personal belongings of Jewish refugees who lived in Shanghai. The original synagogue sanctuary remains a central feature. Displays include reconstructed living spaces showing how refugees resided in the crowded Hongkew district. Video testimonies from survivors and their descendants provide personal narratives. The site also features a memorial wall and database where visitors can search for names of refugees. Outdoor elements include historical markers in the surrounding neighborhood.

Visitors typically spend between one and two hours exploring the museum's interior exhibitions and synagogue space. Those with strong interest in Holocaust history, Jewish heritage, or Shanghai's international settlement period may wish to allocate additional time for reading detailed documentation and viewing survivor testimonies. The surrounding Tilanqiao neighborhood contains additional historical markers and former refugee buildings that some visitors choose to explore independently, extending the overall visit. A thorough engagement with all materials warrants the longer duration.

Tuesday–Sunday 09:00–17:00; ticket sales and entry end at 16:00. Closed Monday. 2026-08-31 is a Monday. Statutory-holiday hours are announced separately by the museum. The museum's indoor spaces make it suitable for visiting during any season, though Shanghai's humid summer months may affect comfort when traveling to the site. Weekday mornings potentially offer quieter conditions for contemplative engagement with the sensitive historical content. Holiday periods in China may bring increased domestic visitor numbers.

CNY 20 for an adult. Real-name admission requires valid identification; a passport is accepted. Visitors must obtain current admission fees directly from official museum sources, as pricing structures may have changed. Some museums in China offer reduced rates for students, seniors, or group bookings, though specific policies here are unverified. International visitors should confirm whether identification requirements apply for any concessionary rates. Free admission days, if any, require direct confirmation.

The museum is at 62 Changyang Road, Hongkou District. Take Shanghai Metro Line 12 to Tilanqiao Station and use Exit 1. Buses 13, 22, 134, 868, 875 and 934 also serve the area. The museum advises that nearby parking is limited. This is the named approach for an independent visit. The museum is located in the Hongkou District, northeast of central Shanghai's historic Bund area. The nearest metro station is Tilanqiao on Line 12, providing the most direct public transit access. Multiple bus routes serve the surrounding neighborhood. Taxis and ride-hailing services can reach the site, though drivers may require the Chinese name 上海犹太难民纪念馆 for navigation. The area is walkable from certain points along the Huangpu River waterfront for those combining visits with other northeastern Shanghai attractions. Signage in the immediate vicinity assists with final approach.

Wheelchairs are available free of charge after registering valid identification. The museum requires visitors with limited mobility or special needs to be accompanied. Visitors with disabilities receive free admission upon presenting valid documentation. An official Hongkou District report documents a wheelchair user moving through the exhibition spaces. The access description applies to the documented visitor route. The museum addresses traumatic historical events including genocide, displacement, and wartime suffering; visitors should prepare emotionally for this content. Exhibition materials are primarily in Chinese and English, though some detailed documents may lack full translation. The surrounding Tilanqiao neighborhood has undergone significant urban redevelopment; remaining historical structures from the refugee period are limited and not always clearly marked. Photography restrictions may apply in certain exhibition areas; visitors should observe posted guidelines. The site holds solemn commemorative significance for descendants and survivors; respectful conduct is essential throughout.

The exterior synagogue architecture and surrounding streetscape generally permit photography from public spaces. When photographing in the neighborhood, visitors should remain mindful that some areas contain residential buildings where privacy expectations apply. Any drone use would require compliance with Chinese aviation regulations and local restrictions.