The exhibition On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt, presented by the Shanghai Museum, has quickly become the most talked-about event in Shanghai this summer.

Since opening on July 19, it's attracted nearly 320,000 visitors, making it the largest exhibition of ancient Egyptian artifacts ever held globally and the most high-profile in Asia.

The exhibition marks the first collaboration between an official Chinese museum and the Egyptian government to showcase ancient Egyptian civilization and the latest archaeological discoveries.

It was included as one of the seven key events of the Shanghai Summer International Consumption Season.

The event's popularity was evident after it topped the "Top 10 Hot Search Exhibitions" list.

What's more, the Shanghai Museum ranked first among the "Top 10 Popular Museums Nationwide" in the second quarter of the year, according to the Chinese Museum Trending Searches – a systematic ranking that highlights the most searched museums and exhibitions in China.

Crowds gather to view ancient Egyptian artifacts at the Shanghai Museum. [Photo/eastday.com]

It's also said to have generated significant economic impact, with over 600 creative products launched and nearly 45 million yuan ($6.31 million) in sales – equivalent to the annual revenue from cultural and creative products for the Shanghai Museum in previous years.

The exhibition has drawn a diverse crowd, with 70 percent of visitors coming from outside Shanghai and more than 70 percent visiting the city specifically for the event. The surrounding economy is also said to have benefited, with nearly half of the visitors indicating they had spent or planned to spend money in nearby areas, averaging 1,684 yuan each.

In a bid to boost the visitor experience, the Shanghai Museum has introduced various immersive attractions and pet-friendly experiences in collaboration with the local tourism industry.

Its "Cat-Friendly Night at the Shanghai Museum", which allows visitors to explore the museum with their pet cats, has received enthusiastic feedback.

A visitor enjoys the Shanghai Museum's cat-friendly night with his pet. [Photo/eastday.com]