🇨🇳 Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum: Hidden Gem

Shanghai has many museums, but this one is commonly missed. Which is a pity given how good of a story it tells and how vivid its exhibits are.

Welcome to the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum! Between 1938 and 1941, the city of Shanghai welcomed over 20,000 Jewish souls fleeing Nazi terror in Europe. This museum echoes their journey, a testament to resilience and hope in the darkest of times.

Shanghai welcomed many Jews, primarily into the Hongkou District where the museum is now located. (The museum itself was formerly the Ohel Moshe Synagogue) This was in spite of China facing its own difficulties, fending off against a Japanese invasion. Meanwhile, most other countries, after the 1938 Évian Conference, refused to accept them.

The refugees came either by sea via the Indian Ocean or by land via the Trans-Siberian Railway. In Shanghai, they built their communities in this “Jewish Ghetto”, a strong reminder that whatever the obstacles, life goes on.

The museum displays many important documents and archives of that period, showing how China facilitated this unexpected humanitarianism. There are also many objects from daily life, such as clothes, food displays, books, furniture, etc.

Absolutely worth a visit and it doesn’t get crowded. You really get a sense of international humanitarian solidarity, that spans borders and continents.

Chinese name: 上海犹太难民纪念馆
Address: 62 Changyang Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai 上海市虹口区长阳路62号
Metro: Tilanqiao
Opening Hours: 1000-1700, closed on Mondays
Ticket: 20 CNY for adults, 10 CNY for students under 23, 15 CNY for seniors above 60

#shanghai #china #hongkou #history #museums #hiddengem

Post by je ne sais quoi | Feb 8, 2025