This summer, the Shanghai Museum has attracted large crowds with its exhibition of ancient Egyptian relics, featuring cat statues and other feline imagery. On Saturday nights, the museum allows up to 200 visitors to bring their own pets.
Inspired by the ancient Egyptians' reverence for Bastet, the goddess of protection often depicted as a cat, the museum has created an interactive section called 'The Secrets of Saqqara'. 'Egyptian archaeological teams discovered a cat temple in Saqqara and unearthed numerous cat mummies and statues. When planning the event, we decided to focus on cats and thus came the idea for 'Meow Night', said Deputy Director Li Feng.
The 'Top of the Pyramids: Ancient Egyptian Civilisation Exhibition' started on July 19 and will continue until August 17, 2025, with 'Meow Night' scheduled for at least 10 Saturdays. So far, six events have been held, with all tickets, including the 200 bring-a-cat tickets, selling out each time.
Visitors bring their cats in carriers or pet strollers and can only take them out in designated areas, such as for a photo next to a Bastet statue. Cats are checked upon entry to ensure they are up-to-date with vaccinations and are free from illness or stress. Onsite veterinarians and rest areas for cats are available in case the museum experience becomes too stimulating.
'It's very special that you can bring a cat with you,' said visitor Qiu Jiakai, who attended 'Meow Night' with his one-year-old cat, An Mao. 'I listened to the narrator's introduction saying...many of today's pet cats are related to those domesticated in ancient Egypt. So I thought I would bring my cat here to see its ancestors and the cat goddess,' she explained.
