Singapore: Asian Civilisations Museum
Operating Hours:Monday - Thursday: 10:00 - 19:00. Friday: 10:00 - 21:00. Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 - 19:00
The Vibe:Pan-Asian cultural treasures in a grand riverside setting
Housed in a grand colonial-era building by the Singapore River, this museum illuminates the rich heritage of Asia’s diverse civilizations. It’s a cornerstone of Singapore’s cultural landscape, showcasing connections across East, South, and West Asia.
Marble galleries filled with ancient sculptures and delicate ceramics draw your eye under soft lighting. Quiet footsteps echo in air-conditioned halls as you absorb the tapestry of colors and textures – from ornate golden figurines to intricate silk robes – all accompanied by the gentle hush of appreciative visitors.
- Voted Singapore’s #1 museum (TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice)
- Only Singapore museum among Asia’s Top 10, per TripAdvisor awards
- 4.6★ average from thousands of Google reviews highlighting its exhibits
- Visitors rave about the free guided tours adding depth to the experience
Persona Fit
- Families: Educational and engaging – older kids will enjoy interactive exhibits and scavenger hunt booklets (strollers welcome, and kids under 6 enter free)
- Couples: A cultured date in a beautiful riverside setting; quiet corners to discuss art and history together, plus a lovely museum café for a post-gallery coffee
- Seniors: Benches throughout and elevator access to all floors make it comfortable; seniors enjoy discounted entry and can take their time with informative displays
- History Buffs: An absolute paradise – spanning artifacts from ancient trade routes to royal courts; you can easily spend hours delving into each gallery
Highlights
- Tang Shipwreck Gallery — a spectacular hoard of 9th-century Chinese ceramics and gold recovered from a sunken Arab trading ship, offering a tangible link to Asia’s ancient maritime Silk Road
- Southeast Asia Gallery — stone Buddha statues from Burma, Khmer carvings from Angkor, and traditional Javanese textiles that showcase the region’s spiritual and artistic heritage
- Chinese Ceramics Collection — hundreds of exquisite porcelain pieces across dynasties, from celadon bowls to blue-and-white vases, illustrating China’s influence on regional trade and culture
- Islamic Art Gallery — intricate calligraphy panels, gleaming decorative Qur’ans, and Middle Eastern ceramics highlighting the spread of Islamic culture and its artistic legacy in Asia
- Special Exhibitions Wing — rotating world-class exhibitions (from Egyptian mummies to contemporary Asian art) that provide fresh insights on a temporary basis – there’s often something new to see
- Empress Place Building — Hidden Gem: the very building itself (built 1865) is a neoclassical jewel; its high ceilings, colonial columns, and riverfront façade are a part of the museum’s charm and history
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Adeline Ee
Our Singapore Local Expert
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