Are guided tours available and do they cost extra?

Yes, the museum offers complimentary guided tours conducted by volunteer docents. Tours are scheduled at specific times (typically late morning and early afternoon) and are included with your admission. Check the tour timings at the information counter when you arrive – joining one can greatly enrich your understanding of the exhibits.

Can I take photos inside the museum?

Photography is allowed in most galleries as long as you do not use flash, tripods, or selfie sticks. Some special exhibitions or particularly sensitive artifacts might have no-photography signs (respect those). Generally, you’re welcome to snap pictures of the art and displays for personal use.

Singapore

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Asian Civilisations Museum

Singapore: Asian Civilisations Museum

4.6(8182)

2–3 hours

Civic District

Wheelchair Accessibility:

Yes

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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Our Singapore Local Expert

Overview

Persona Fit

Highlights

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Plan Your Visit (FAQ’s)

Know Your Facts

Food & Coffee Shops

Insider Tips

Photography Tips

Things To Do Nearby

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Asian Civilisations Museum: Entry Ticket

4.8 (37)

Partial Refund on Cancellation

Skip the line with a pre-paid admission ticket to all core galleries of the Asian Civilisations Museum
Discover Singapore’s diverse cultural roots and the wider Asian civilizations through thoughtfully curated exhibits
Includes access to any ongoing special exhibitions during your visit (from historic artifacts to international art showcases)
Opportunity to attend the museum’s special events or cultural festival nights if they coincide with your visit (check schedule)

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Plan Your Visit

Getting There & Entrances

Amenities

MRT: Raffles Place (Exit H) is about a 5-7 minute walk – cross Cavenagh Bridge by the Fullerton Hotel to reach the museum. City Hall MRT (Exit B) is ~10 minutes, walking past the Padang and Victoria Theatre. Several buses stop at “Victoria Concert Hall” or “Asian Civilisations Museum” along Connaught Drive
Main entrance is on the river-facing side of the building (Empress Place). Climb the iconic steps under the colonnade to enter the lobby. Wheelchair and stroller access is via a side ramp/entrance on the Asian Civilisations Museum Green (ask security if needed, they’ll direct you)
Upon entry, you’ll find the ticketing counter and information desk immediately to your left. Grab a free museum map and check out any free guided tour schedules. Large bags and backpacks should be deposited in the free lockers near the entrance for a more comfortable visit

Food & Coffee Shops

Empress: An elegant Chinese restaurant on the museum’s ground floor with indoor seating and a lovely alfresco terrace by the river – perfect for dim sum or tea with a historic ambiance

Apex Garden Café: A small café corner near the entrance (within the lobby area) serving coffee, tea, and light bites – great for a quick refreshment break during your museum exploration

Empress: An elegant Chinese restaurant on the museum’s ground floor with indoor seating and a lovely alfresco terrace by the river – perfect for dim sum or tea with a historic ambiance

Apex Garden Café: A small café corner near the entrance (within the lobby area) serving coffee, tea, and light bites – great for a quick refreshment break during your museum exploration

Insider Tips

Best Time: Weekday afternoons are typically quiet, giving you nearly private gallery experiences. If you visit on Friday, the museum stays open till 9pm – a relaxed evening visit can be delightful and uncrowded

Hack: If you plan to see multiple Singapore museums, consider the multi-museum passes or the Singapore Museum Pass which bundles entry fees. Also, Singapore citizens and PRs get free entry to the permanent galleries, so if you have local friends, tag along with them

Hidden Gem: Keep an eye out for the “Night at the Museum” or cultural festival events (often around August or specific holidays). The museum occasionally hosts after-hours programs with live performances and open house free admissions that many tourists don’t know about

App Tip: Download the ACM mobile app or use the museum’s QR codes for a self-guided audio tour. There’s free Wi-Fi inside, and the digital guide provides deeper stories about select artifacts – like having your own curator on demand

Photography Tips

Flash photography is a no-go to protect the artifacts, so make use of natural lighting in galleries. If a gallery is dim, steady your camera against a wall or use a higher ISO setting rather than flash

The best time for photos is when it’s less crowded (weekday mornings or late afternoons) – you can get wide shots of the beautiful galleries without people. The central atrium and grand staircase are particularly photogenic spots

To avoid glare on display cases, stand slightly to the side when taking a picture of objects behind glass. This angle minimizes reflections of yourself or lights. If you have a polarizing filter for your camera, even better

Large camera bags can be stored in the free lockers. Tripods are not allowed inside. For a unique shot, capture the contrast of the historic museum building against the modern skyline across the river – the front lawn or Cavenagh Bridge area is great for this exterior shot

Things To Do Nearby

National Gallery Singapore — a massive art museum in the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings (5 minutes walk) showcasing Southeast Asian art – a perfect cultural complement after ACM

Merlion Park — just across the Cavenagh Bridge and along the bay (10 minutes walk), you’ll find Singapore’s iconic Merlion statue spouting water, with a beautiful view of Marina Bay Sands – a must-see photo spot near the museum

Boat Quay — a vibrant riverside stretch directly opposite the museum filled with restaurants and pubs; great for lunch or dinner by the Singapore River while enjoying the view of the historic district you just explored

National Gallery Singapore — a massive art museum in the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings (5 minutes walk) showcasing Southeast Asian art – a perfect cultural complement after ACM