Four museums in Jiading district, Shanghai, will open for free visits from May 16 to 18 to celebrate the 44th International Museum Day May 18, promoting the theme of "Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion".

Online reservations are needed to help museums control passenger flow and avoid overcrowding.

A total of 91 museums in Shanghai will open for free or have their prices halved on the three days.

International Museum Day was launched in 1977 by the International Council of Museums, or ICOM. Each year since 2009, China has chosen a host venue as the center of nationwide activities highlighting the role of museums in modern life. Nanjing Museum in the capital of East China's Jiangsu province, one of the biggest provincial museums in China, was this year's major venue to mark the day.

1. Jiading Museum: opens free from May 16 to 18 from 8:30 am to 5 pm at 215 Bole Rd, Jiading district, Shanghai. Contact at +86-21-5992 8800, and book via official WeChat account: JD_Museum

2. Shanghai Auto Museum: opens free on May 18 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm at 7565 Boyuan Rd, Anting town, Jiading district, Shanghai. Contact at +86-21-6955 0055, and book via official WeChat account: shqcbwg or via mobile apps Alipay or You Shanghai to get a Shanghai tourism code.

3. Sihai Teapot Museum: opens free on May 18 at 1978 Cao'an Highway, Jiading district, Shanghai. Contact at +86-18019075085, and book via official WeChat account: Baifoyuan1978

4. Shanghai Zhuyun Art Museum: opens free from May 16 to 18 from 8:30 am to 5 pm at 1/4F, 1375 Xinyuan Rd, Anting town, Jiading district, Shanghai. Books at +86-21-3954 1111 or via official WeChat account: gh_2689f4bbff1d

A glimpse of Jiading Museum in Shanghai [Photo from WeChat account of JD_Museum]