The Asian Civilisations Museum sits in a handsome colonial building on the north bank of the Singapore River, right where the city began. Its theme is the way trade, faith and craft connected Asia over the centuries, and because Singapore was built on that trade, it is a natural fit. If you like objects that tell a story, the Asian Civilisations Museum is one of the most rewarding museums in the city, and it is rarely crowded.
Why visit the Asian Civilisations Museum
Instead of dividing the collection strictly by country, the galleries follow themes: trade and the movement of goods, faith and belief, and materials and design. That means you might see Chinese ceramics, Indian textiles, Islamic manuscripts and Southeast Asian gold in neighbouring rooms, which shows how much these cultures influenced each other.
The building, Empress Place, dates from the 19th century and was built for government offices. It has been extended with a modern wing facing the river.
Getting to the Asian Civilisations Museum by MRT
The nearest station is Raffles Place, an interchange on the East West and North South lines. Walk towards the river and cross the Cavenagh Bridge, the old pedestrian suspension bridge next to the Fullerton Hotel. The museum is on the far side of the bridge. The walk takes about ten minutes and is very pleasant along the water.
City Hall station is roughly the same distance from the other direction, walking south past the Padang and the Victoria Theatre. Choose whichever line suits your journey.
Tickets and opening hours
Singapore citizens and permanent residents enter free. Overseas visitors pay for general admission, and special exhibitions may cost extra. Tickets are sold at the counter and online. Check the official website, acm.org.sg, for current prices, concessions, opening hours and any late-night openings, as these can change.
Best time to visit and how long to stay
The museum is calm most of the time, so you can visit whenever it suits you. Weekday mornings are the quietest. It is air-conditioned throughout, which makes it a good choice for the middle of a hot afternoon or during a downpour. Late afternoon also works well because you can come out to the river as the light softens and walk along to Boat Quay for dinner.
Plan two hours for the main permanent galleries, or longer if a special exhibition catches your eye.
Highlights
The Tang shipwreck
The museum's best known gallery displays cargo from a ninth-century Arab dhow wrecked off Indonesia. Thousands of Chinese ceramics were found packed inside, along with gold and silver objects. It is striking proof of how far goods travelled more than a thousand years ago.
Faith and belief
Galleries on Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity in Asia show sculptures, manuscripts and ritual objects side by side.
Materials and design
Look out for the gold jewellery, textiles and fine ceramics, many of which were made for export to distant markets.
The riverside setting
The steps and lawn in front of the museum face the river and the skyscrapers of Raffles Place, a good spot to sit for a few minutes before or after your visit.
Tips for your visit to the Asian Civilisations Museum
Start on the ground floor with the trade galleries and the Tang shipwreck, then work upwards, as the themes build on each other. Free guided tours led by volunteer docents run on many days and are a great way to understand the objects, so check the schedule on the official website. Photography without flash is generally allowed in the permanent galleries. The museum has a cafe and a restaurant facing the river, which makes it easy to pause halfway. If you are visiting several Singapore museums, ask about any combined or multi-museum passes on offer before you buy single tickets, since these schemes come and go.
Nearby on the same stop
- Cavenagh Bridge and the Fullerton Hotel: historic landmarks on either side of the river.
- Merlion Park: Singapore's famous statue, a short walk along the water.
- Boat Quay: a row of restored shophouses now full of riverside restaurants and bars.
- Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall: right next door to the museum.
- National Gallery Singapore: about ten minutes' walk north.
See the location on our Asian Civilisations Museum page, and explore more places by station on the Singapore metro guide.