The Louvre has brought over 300 pieces of Islamic art to Shanghai for the first time, covering India, Iran and the Ottoman Empire from the 16th to 19th centuries. Walking into the exhibition at Museum of Art Pudong feels like stepping into another world: intricate geometric patterns, floral motifs and calligraphy fill every surface, with colors and lighting carefully designed so each empire has its own vibe.
Highlights include a mother-of-pearl Mughal ewer, an Iranian ceramic with a "Chinese dragon," and two full-scale Ottoman rooms recreated from Topkapi Palace and traditional Cairo homes. Even if you don't know much about art history, the craftsmanship and cross-cultural stories are fascinating, and you can easily spend a couple of hours getting lost in the details. Right now, you can also catch the Picasso exhibition at the same museum, so you can see two big shows with just one ticket, sounds like a win. Get your ticketshere.
