Asian Civilisations Museum

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Overview

Available languages

English

Discover rich Asian heritage through interactive galleries, artifacts, and exhibitions showcasing diverse cultures.

Explore one of Singapore’s leading museums featuring unique collections from across Asia and maritime trade history.

Perfect for culture enthusiasts, students, and travelers seeking an educational and enriching experience.

Includes access to permanent galleries and selected special exhibitions within the museum.

Ideal for visitors of all ages interested in history, art, and cultural exploration.

Description

Asian Civilisations Museum is a cultural and historical museum located in Singapore, showcasing the rich heritage and diversity of Asian cultures. This attraction features extensive collections of artifacts, art, and exhibitions highlighting trade, religion, and cultural exchanges across Asia. Visitors can explore galleries focused on China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Islamic world. It is an ideal destination for history enthusiasts and those seeking a deeper understanding of Asia’s cultural roots.

The recommended duration is approximately 1.5–3 hours, depending on your pace and interest in the exhibits. The experience is self-paced, allowing guests to explore galleries at their own convenience. Duration may vary depending on crowd levels and temporary exhibitions.

Guests can enter using a e-ticket or redeem tickets at the counter if required. Upon entry, visitors can explore multiple galleries featuring artifacts, multimedia displays, and curated exhibitions. Highlights include maritime trade history and cross-cultural influences across Asia. Guests can move freely between galleries, following their preferred route, and complete the visit at their own pace.

Additional Info

The ACM’s collection began with objects from the colonial Raffles Library and Museum. The major part was ethnological materials collected in Southeast Asia – essentially examples of the crafts, tools, weapons, utensils, and costume of the Malay and other indigenous Southeast Asian cultures. There was also a small collection of Chinese objects.

Collections in new areas were started in the 1990s: West Asia/the Islamic world and South Asia, so that the ACM could fulfill its mission to highlight the roots of Singapore’s different ethnic groups in the various cultures and civilisations of Asia.

ACM opened in the former Tao Nan School Building on Armenian Street on 21 April 1997, with then Deputy PM Lee Hsien Loong presiding. The museum included 10 galleries, with thematic displays on China and space for special exhibitions. In 2003, the ACM moved into its current home — the historic Empress Place Building. First completed in 1867, this neoclassical-style building along the Singapore River had seen several extensions built during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.