Asian Civilisations Museum

Originally founded in 1997 in the former Tao Nan School Building on Armenian Street, Asian Civilisations Museum is an ode to the diverse heritage and culture of Singapore as well as the rest of the Asian continent.

The museum initially featured 10 galleries comprising displays focused on China and other periodical exhibitions. However, after being relocated to its current location within the walls of Empress Place Building in 2003, the museum now houses several themed exhibitions spread across three levels, making it a must-visit attraction for those seeking Singapore tour packages.

Singapore's best museums comprise four major museums, namely the National Museum of Singapore, Peranakan Museum, Singapore Art Museum, and the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM). Of these four, ACM specializes in Pan- Asian civilizations and traditions.

Interestingly, Peranakan Museum was once just a special exhibition at the old ACM premise, however, its successful appreciation among visitors led the Board to make it a permanent one, and later it was formed into a separate museum.

The regions vastly covered by ACM consist of Southeast Asia, China, and South and West Asia. The current building that ACM is located in dates back to 1867 when the neoclassical structure served as an office to several government departments.

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• Discover a fusion of artistic traditions from across the centuries in thematically arranged galleries.
• You will find more than 1,000 ceramics, gold, and silver pieces originating from the Indian Ocean trade.
• Get to know the major religions of the world and their profound influence on Asian cultures.
• Admire the craftsmanship that demonstrates global, regional, and local exchanges in fashion, jewelry, ceramics, and textiles.

• Wheelchair Accessible

Tours at Asian Civilisations Museum

1. ACM Treasures in AR: The innovative startup iMMERSiVELY brings treasures from ACM to life using AR. Learn about Asian antiquities and decorative art that span different cultures and showcase the region's rich artistic heritage, including a rare golden cup from the Tang Shipwreck collection, an incense burner embedded with objects from different cultures, and an exquisite bridal headdress.

Using polygon by polygon models (constructed in under 4MB to give the most natural interpretation), viewers can get an up-close view of each masterpiece, offering insight into the richness of cross-cultural contact, as well as an understanding of people's interaction and inspiration over time.

2. Audio Description Tours: Some sighted listeners may find audio description tours unnecessary, but blind persons may find them very helpful. A listener may be helped to visualize the size of an object by comparing its height to something found in their home which helps them in understanding the displays very well.

3. Virtual Tour of Materials and Design: Materials and Design is the overall theme of ACM's third-floor galleries. Two new galleries, Fashion, and Textiles, as well as Jewellery and Ceramics, feature more than 400 outstanding masterpieces telling the stories of Asian cultures, identities, and histories.

In addition to our Jewellery gallery virtual display, there is a Virtual Museum Host (Beta) - Allie who will assist you with navigation within the gallery and answer any questions you might have.

4. Allie - ACM's Virtual Museum Host: In addition to maps, self-guided tours, and accessibility tools, Allie will provide you with information on the highlighted objects in each gallery and assist you in navigating the museum. She can also solve your personal queries.

5. Daily Guided Tours: The friendly guides at ACM will help you discover the 5000-year history of Asian cultures. The tours are led by volunteer docents and last 45 to 60 minutes. Each tour is limited to a maximum of five people (excluding the guide) and is based on availability. On-site registration will be required. Please check with the front desk regarding tour schedules.

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Places to Visit near Asian Civilisations Museum 

1. National Gallery Singapore: Just a couple of minutes’ walk from the Asian Civilisations Museum is the highly popular National Gallery Singapore. Fairly new as compared to several other attractions in Singapore, the National Gallery Singapore opened its doors to the public in 2005 and boasts the largest public collection of Southeast Asian as well as Singaporean art in the world.

The museum is free to the public barring a few exhibitions. It is open from Sunday to Thursday and public holidays from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. 

2. Singapore Botanic Gardens: A 15 minutes’ easy drive from the museum, Singapore Botanic Gardens is one of the oldest of its kind in Singapore and the only to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Established in 1859, the Singapore Botanic Gardens has 47 Heritage Trees spread across its premises along with 1,200 species and 2,000 hybrids of orchids and more than 10,000 species of flora. The Gardens are open from 5 AM till 12 midnight every day and is free to visit for all. 

3. Fountain of Wealth: Located in the heart of Suntec City in Temasek Boulevard, Fountain of Wealth is a 5 minutes’ drive and a 15 minutes’ walk from the Asian Civilisations Museum. The fountain was listed as the largest fountain in the world by Guinness World of Book Records in 1998.

Totally Instagram Worthy, the Fountain is as unique in the day as it is in the night. Take a gentle stroll around the fountain and collect some coins or come late in the evening for a marvellous laser show. The spot is open to visitors every day of the week from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

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Places to Shop and Dine at Asian Civilisations Museum  

1. Privé ACM (restaurant): A no-frills all-day dining restaurant, Privé is a good spot for breakfast as well as Lunch. Offering spectacular views of the CBD skyline as well as the Singapore River, the restaurant offers a 10% discount for museum visitors. Apart from their lavish a-la-carté menu and sweet treats, Privé is also famous for its ‘high tea’ spreads. 

2. Empress (restaurant): A delightful dining restaurant featuring a contemporary design and offering both alfresco and indoor dining facilities by the waterfront, Empress boasts a delectable Chinese cuisine specializing in roast meats and drinks. The restaurant also features a private dining space, Canton Room, that offers perfect intimacy and ambience. Check the website for restaurant timings. 

3. Museum Label (chain of stores): Shop at one of the many Museum label stores scattered around the museum and take back a slice of Singapore’s exquisite heritage and culture with you to cherish for years.

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Tips for Visiting Asian Civilisations Museum

1. Offers and discounts: If you are in a group of 20 persons or more, it is best to check for applicable discounts and promotions at the ticket counter. Group bookings require prior reservations. Sometimes, you can get tickets at half the price on Fridays between 7:00 Pm and 9:00 PM.

2. Museum Etiquette: Refrain from touching any relics which are on open display. Also, ensure that you accompany any children visiting with you at all times. Do not eat and drink inside the museum and keep everything around you neat and clean.

3. Clothing: Exploring the galleries requires you to walk extensively. It is important that you wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. 

4. Free Guided Tours: Volunteers offer free guided tours of the museum at scheduled times. Please note that these tours are not available on Public Holidays.

5. For elderlies and Persons with disabilities: The museum has ramp access at the front entrance as well as river entrance that connects you to the museum lobby. Also, there are three wheelchair-friendly restrooms within the premises – near Empress restaurant on Level 1, outside River Room on Level 2, and near the lift and spiral staircase in the Basement. Manual wheelchairs can be rented at the museum.

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By Bus: The Asian Civilisation Museum is located just a 2 minute walk from the Fullerton Bus Stop, hence making it easy for people to reach here. You can easily find a bus from your nearby stop and cover the distance in no time.

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