There are ten small exhibitions, each focusing on different aspects of
sexuality. For example, there's a section on what the translation calls
'abnormal behaviour' such as bestiality and homosexuality (the latter was only
declassified as a psychological disorder in China in 2001, but the museum takes
a more liberal view towards it). In an attempt to draw comparisons between
eastern and western views of sex there are objects from other countries too.
All that really gets highlighted though is the fact that western countries have
more laid back attitudes - over here you can't buy mugs with handles shaped
like naked women.
A large part of the collection features the world of prostitution, such as tea
cups which were used in brothels and have pictures of naked women at the
bottom. Other exhibits are slightly harder to stomach, for instance a donkey
saddle with a wooden dildo attached. Skip to the next paragraph now if you're
squeamish. In ancient China, adulterous women were made to sit on the saddle
and ride through town. The intention, as the English translation pointedly
explains, was to 'ruin them'. Gruesome.
Alongside these attention-grabbing displays are some informative pieces, like
the 'trunk bottom' artefacts, which are far less suggestive than their name
might imply. When young girls were due to be married, their mothers put little
boxes containing copulating figurines at the bottom of a trunk of their
possessions. Scrolls of images were included too, so the newly-weds would know
what to do on their wedding night and could copy the positions.
Apart from a picture of the world's biggest penis, which will stay with me for
a long time, there aren't many photos; mostly the exhibition features ancient
items, such as stone dildos or tiny shoes from women who had their feet bound.
Amongst other reasons, women were forced to bind their feet so they couldn't
walk far, certainly not far enough to leave their husbands, making them slaves
sexually and domestically. The point of this museum, unlike some of its
European counterparts, is genuinely to educate and not amuse. Who could get the
giggles over foot binding?
It's surprising then that the only information on modern day sex, such as
condoms and AIDS prevention, is right at the end and only in Chinese. As one of
the 20% of foreigners who visit each year, I would like to have learnt more
about China's stance on sex education today. Admittedly, the museum is meant to
focus on ancient sex culture, but I thought it was with a view to understanding
present day attitudes. Perhaps an extra section explaining how ancient culture
has, or is supposed to have, influenced modern times would help.
Nonetheless, at 20 RMB, it's worth a look and I thought it was better than its
big brother in Tongli-Shanghai's exhibition is easier to follow and the
artefacts are more clearly explained. Because it's at the end of the Bund
Sightseeing Tunnel the Shanghai sex museum is in a more interesting location
too. (The Tunnel is one of my favourite Shanghai activities. Contrary to its
name, it doesn't show you any Bund sights but guides you through varying
coloured flashing lights to the rhythmic thumps of an electro track. It's
simultaneously funny, scary and exciting.) Couple China's first sex museum and
a trip on the Tunnel (20 RMB one way) for a uniquely Chinese day out.
Sex Museum
Address: End of the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, Binjiang Da Dao, Pudong. Near the
ZhengDa Guangchang Shopping Center
Hours: Daily 8am-10.30pm
Ticket: 20 yuan
