Asian Civilisations Museum

The basics

Explore three floors of exhibits on a guided or self-guided tour, including ten different themed galleries. Find out about Asia’s maritime history and Indian Ocean trade as you admire the restored 9th-century Tang Shipwreck; learn about Asia’s religious beliefs and the birth of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism; and marvel over Asian fashions, textiles, and handicrafts. The galleries include a number of interactive exhibitions and multimedia displays, and highlights include a contemporary art gallery, a large collection of Chinese ceramics, and a series of ancient Bronze Age masks.

Things to know before you go

• The Asian Civilisations Museum is one of Singapore’s largest and most popular museums, and a must for travelers interested in learning more about local culture and history.

• The museum is a fun choice for families, offering a range of hands-on activities, workshops, and lunchtime concerts aimed at children under 10; admission for children under 6 is free.

• The museum has a Chinese restaurant, a café, a museum shop, and paid storage lockers.

• English-language tours (included in the admission fee) are held daily and cover either the museum highlights or individual galleries. Check the website for the full schedule.

• The museum is fully accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

How to get there

The Asian Civilisations Museum is located on the north bank of the Singapore River in downtown Singapore. The closest MRT station is Raffles Place (East West and North South lines), about a 5-minute walk away. A number of buses stop on Fullerton Square, just a 2-minute walk from the museum.

When to get there

The museum is open daily from morning to evening, and stays open later on Friday nights. It’s worth timing your visit for one of the guided tours or visiting during annual events such as the Light to Night Festival in January.

Must-visit museums in Singapore

Head over to the National Gallery Singapore and the Singapore Art Museum for a crash course in Southeast Asian art, from ancient masterpieces to contemporary installations. To discover more of Singapore’s fascinating history, a visit to the National Museum of Singapore is a must, while the Singapore Discovery Centre adds a high-tech twist to the city’s history. Other popular museums worth a visit include the cutting-edge ArtScience Museum; the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum, believed to contain the relics of the Buddha; and the Peranakan Museum.