A soothing jazz melody and a set of elegant coffee cups... Stepping into the first floor of the West Wing of Shanghai History Museum, visitors are transported to the cozy cafes of old Shanghai. On October 30th, the museum's original exhibition' Coffee ,Let's go!A Coffee Culture Special Exhibition officially opened, joining the Fifth Square Coffee Carnival to offer citizens a journey into the unique Shanghai-style coffee culture.
The exhibition is divided into three sections: "Wake Up the Caffeine", "Open the Door to Flavor" and "Never-ending Coffee Menu", with 182 exhibits, 79 of which are on display for the first time.
In the "Coffee Awakening" section, specially designed aromatic coffee bottles activate sensory experiences, allowing visitors to embark on an immersive journey through the fragrance. From Ethiopia's native tree species to Yemen's thriving Mocha Port trade, and its subsequent spread to Europe, America, and Asia via newly discovered sea routes in the 16th century, the exhibition traces coffee's origins through the contrast between traditional Arab coffee pots and European drinking vessels, vividly illustrating the global dissemination of coffee culture.
"Opening the Gate of Flavor" chronicles the century-long evolution of coffee culture in Shanghai. The exhibition traces its origins to 1844 when the city first imported "Jiafei beans" (a type of coffee bean), followed by 1853 when the Old Deji Pharmacy in the British Concession marketed coffee as a "cough syrup" – vivid accounts of how early Shanghai residents perceived this beverage. Through diverse exhibits spanning 17th-century archives to modern artifacts, visitors can experience the rise of coffee shops and the gradual integration of coffee into urban life.
From the well-known instant coffees like Nestlé and Maxwell's entering the China market in the 1980s, to the rise of creative beverages as the "third space," coffee has long become an integral part of the city's breath and pulse, serving as a vital link that connects urban communities and shapes urban culture. "The Endless Coffee Menu" focuses on the contemporary development of coffee culture, guiding viewers through a journey of coffee intertwined with Shanghai's cultural heritage and global industries, exploring together the urban vitality and humanistic sentiment contained in this cup.
The review of coffee culture is also an interpretation of the spirit of Shanghai--the transformation from "cough medicine" to "urban cultural symbol" reflects the open, inclusive and innovative character of Shanghai.
In addition, from October 30 to November 2, the 5th Square Coffee Carnival will be held in the atrium of Shanghai History Museum. Let's feel the aroma of coffee in the century-old building!
Coffee ,Let's go!A Coffee Culture Special Exhibition
2025.10.30—2026.3.1
First floor of Shanghai History Museum West Building
No appointment required, free visit
