Singapore Museums and Galleries

Asian Civilizations Museum

Built in neo-Palladian architectural style, Empress Place overlooks the mouth of the Singapore River and houses the 14,000sqm Asian Civilizations Museum. The museum features 11 galleries housing more than 1,300 pieces from China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Middle Asia. It is well managed and very modern with themed galleries integrated with multimedia and interactive components which help visitors learn more about the multi-faceted aspects of Asian cultures. Non-flash photography and video shooting are permitted in the main galleries.

After the tour, don’t forget to stop by at the Museum Shop which carries a wide range of lifestyle items as well as merchandise inspired by the Museum’s collection. Also within the same area, visitors can enjoy many good restaurants and food outlets including Indochine Waterfront Restaurant (Tel: +65 63 391 720), Bar Opium (Tel: +65 63 392 876) and Siem Reap II Café (Tel: +65 63 387 596).

Changi Prison Chapel and Museum

This sobering museum is situated at Changi Prison which is still being used as a prison today. It gives a glimpse of the life of prisoners of war during the Japanese Occupation of World War II.

The daily life of the prisoners are depicted through drawings made by the prisoners themselves, and through photographs and other exhibits which give an overview of the war in Asia. A pair of rail spikes from the infamous Burma railroad, where thousands of POWs were sent to work under horrific conditions, is also on display.

Next to the museum is a replica of the simple chapel built by Allied prisoners during their internment. Pinned to the building are notes from people who lost loved ones in Changi.

Chinatown Heritage Centre

One should not miss a visit to the Chinatown Heritage Centre, located in three restored shophouses in Chinatown. The 15 exhibition galleries show the lifestyle and work of those early immigrants. The most fascinating part is the area showing how the early Chinese lived. Families were cramped into each tiny rented cubicle in shophouses with dark and dirty walls. Many Singaporeans come to look for their family name on the ‘Wall of surnames’ to check out the origins of their descendents. Another section shows immigrants around the 1950's when living conditions had improved.

Images of Singapore

Located at Imbiah Lookout on Sentosa Island, Images of Singapore is a must-visit historical museum featuring audio visual presentations showing Singaporean history and culture, focusing on its people and their lives. In an old-style warehouse format, exhibits include the period when the Malaysians rule, the arrival of the British and the post-colonialist period under Singapore's first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and more. After a walk around the museum, visitors can stop by and enjoy Singapore cuisine at Tastes of Singapore @ Imbiah (+65 62 793 278). The menu includes real local dishes like nyonya lobster laksa, tandoori chicken and assorted jumbo satay.

Malay Heritage Centre

Located in the same grounds as Istana Kampong Glam (aka the Sultan's Palace) in Kampong Glam, this heritage centre is dedicated to Malay Singaporeans. Like in many rural areas in Southeast, the Malays in Singapore lived in traditional wooden huts on stilts (or 'kampong' in Malay) for many decades until the 1980s when the government relocated most Singaporean into apartments. That move spelled the end of the Malay kampong in Singapore. This exhibition takes people back to the old period to see the life and culture of the Malays; not only their traditional kampong residences but their arts and crafts.

National Museum of Singapore

This is the oldest museum in Singapore (about 120 years old) and, at more than 18,000sqm, it is the largest. There are two main sections inside; the Living Galleries and History Gallery. The Living Galleries consists of fashion, film, food and photography as well as Chinese Opera. One of the highlights at the fashion gallery is the collection of beautiful old costumes worn by women in the 1950s to 1970s. There are also volunteer guides who explain each of the galleries. Limited to 15 participants per session, on a first-come, first-served basis. Call to check the schedules.

Peranakan Museum

The Peranakan Museum was officially opened in 2008 by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The Peranakan culture is a unique culture that is still part of Singapore’s living heritage. The museum features 10 galleries exhibiting more than 1,200 items of Straits Chinese artefacts. Those items include silver, porcelain, jewelry, textiles, food and religious items. It also covers the links with Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Myanmar. Check out their boutique museum which houses the finest collection of Peranakan artefacts in the world.

Singapore Art Museum

Located in the centre of Singapore’s major shopping district on Bras Basah Road, it is an ideal place to see close to 8,000 pieces of Singaporean and Southeast Asian modern and contemporary art. With over 10,000sqm, this museum, run with international standard museum facilities, offers 14 fully climate-controlled galleries.

No matter what time one visits Singapore, the museum always has interesting exhibitions and programs thoughout the year. Other facilities include the Museum Shop by Banyan Tree (Open daily from 10:00 -19:00), Olio Dome Café (Open daily from 8:30 – 10.00), Trattoria Lafiandra (Open daily from 12:00 to 15:00 and 18:00 – 22:30).

Singapore History Museum

The Singapore History Museum traces the eventful history of Singapore from the 14th century to the modern day. It is housed in the historic colonial-style National Museum building, which was built in 1849 after a suggestion by Sir Stamford Raffles.

The museum explores the development and rich heritage of Singapore from its beginnings as a Malay fishing village, to its prosperity as a port under British rule, the successive waves of immigration and the struggle for nationhood in the 1960s.

Visitors can stroll through the impressive recreation of an early 20th century Peranakan house, with its imposing ancestral hall and elaborate bridal chamber. There's also a high-definition 3-D show that presents the history of Singapore through animation, virtual sets and historical footage.

Other permanent displays include an exhibition on the history of the infamous Chinese secret societies in Singapore; the beautiful Haw Par jade collection, donated by the famous Aw brothers of Tiger Balm fame; and a fascinating collection of natural history drawings by William Farquhar, who worked with the East India Company and became the first British Resident and Commandant to the development of Singapore.

There are free guided tours in English conducted at 11:00 and 14:00 daily, with an additional tour at 15:30 on Saturday and Sunday. Free guided tours in Japanese are conducted at 10:30 daily. 

Singapore Mint Coin Gallery

This gallery is housed in the Singapore Mint which makes the country's coins.

On exhibit are an array of domestic and foreign coins and medals.

Singapore Navy Museum

The Singapore Navy Museum traces the development of naval forces in Singapore, from the Straits Settlements Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in the 19th century to the Republic of Singapore Navy of today. Also on display are antique marine equipment, historic photos and details of the high-tech missile corvette vessels of the current Navy. Don't forget to bring along your passport.

Singapore Philatelic Museum

Housed in a quaint old building which dates back to 1908, a browse around the Singapore Philatelic Museum makes for an interesting afternoon for both stamp collectors and non-collectors alike.

There's a fine collection of local and international stamps, as well as first day covers. The stamps provide a thought-provoking glimpse of the development of Singapore and its multicultural society across the decades, through the pictorial, artistic and administrative lens of the different historical periods.

There's also a detailed visual display of how stamps are made, from the drawing board to the printing plates and progressive sheets, to the final product.

Visitors may ask for guided tours at the reception area, or arrange for tours by telephone.