Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center is located in the downtown area, the People's Square. The design of the building is inspired by the traditional Chinese city gate. The modern central symmetric structure shows the aesthetic concept of China's traditional architecture. And the grid roof of the building symbolizes Shanghai's city flower magnolia. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the People's Square.

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center was officially open to the public on February 25th 2000. It covers a construction area of about 20,000m2, in which the exhibition area is about 7,000m2. Themed on "City, Citizens, Environment, and Development", the Center displays the past, present and future of Shanghai by traditional and modern displaying means. Since its opening, the Center has received about 5million visitors from home and abroad. It is regarded as the "Window of the City" where people can know about Shanghai.

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center not only shows the latest information of urban development, but also shows Shanghai citizens' cultural and artistic cultivation. Over 100 exhibitions have been held in the second floor exhibition hall which is 1000m2. Among them are the art exhibitions of world top artists, the design exhibitions of world famous architectural and space designer, the exhibitions showing the new way of life, and the science promotional and educational exhibition for people of different ages. These interactive exhibitions not only interpret and enrich the word "city", but also reflect the energy and glamour of the City with the "sea culture". They have a great impact on the country and have made the visitors get the art enlightenment while visiting Shanghai.