[In Photos] Shanghai Closes Record-Breaking Ancient Egypt Exhibit

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A groundbreaking exhibition on ancient Egypt, which had been running for 13 months at the Shanghai Museum, concluded yesterday.

Titled “On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt,” the exhibit broke records with over 2.77 million visitors and generated more than 760 million RMB (around 106 million USD) in revenue. It also attracted online viewing exceeding 30 billion hits.

Among the highlights was the renowned golden death mask of Tutankhamun. The exhibition showcased recent archaeological discoveries from the famous Saqqara site, including a recently unearthed wooden coffin, and provided a glimpse into Egypt’s ancient past.

This event was the largest of its kind in Asia dedicated to Egyptian civilization, displaying 788 relics—95% of which were exhibited in Asia for the first time. These artifacts were sourced from seven major Egyptian museums, including Cairo’s National Museum.

In response to overwhelming visitor demand, organizers decided to keep the exhibit open 24 hours a day during its final week.

Visitors flocked to the “Secrets of Saqqara” gallery, with many dressed in ancient Egyptian-style costumes for photos. Over three million related items were sold during the exhibition, including merchandise and souvenirs.

The museum’s director announced the closure of the exhibition at midnight yesterday, marking the end of this historic showcase.