Review of Asian Civilizations Museum – Singapore

Asian Civilizations Museum – Singapore

Review of Asian Civilizations Museum – Singapore 

If you are interested in Asian countries, particularly their cultures and/or art objects, I strongly recommend visiting Singapore’s Asian Civilizations Museum while you’re in the city. This fascinating museum offers three floors full of large galleries showcasing, in great detail, the diverse cultures found in the region.

The museum is housed in a gorgeous restored colonial British building set on the shores of the Singapore River, right in the heart of Singapore CBD. Inside, the building sports beautiful wood floors, spacious high-ceiling-ed rooms and attractive architectural detailing. If you appreciate architecture, be sure to take time to admire the stunning building upon your arrival and as you move through the exhibitions.

display about Buddhism – Asian Civilizations Museum

The museum’s nine fascinating cultural galleries are organized by regions of Asia:

 Western Asia / Islamic Galleries (3) – Islam around the region from as far west as Bulgaria and Turkey to the Middle East and over to Malaysia and Indonesia

 South Asia Galleries (2) – India, Sri Lanka, Nepal

 Southeast Asia Galleries (3) – Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Borneo, plus indigenous tribes of the region

 China Gallery (1) – Culture, religions, art objects, and daily customs of China

In addition, there are two galleries devoted to special exhibitions and one gallery with the permanent Singapore River Gallery.

If you enjoy learning, this is a museum that you could easily spend an entire day in. I was only able to visit for three hours, which wasn’t nearly long enough for me to see everything. In fact, I only made it through four of the nine galleries. If I could have stayed longer, I probably wouldn’t have left until closing time.

The world-class exhibitions are filled with gorgeous display cases, artistic lighting and a variety of exhibition styles. Throughout the galleries there are videos, audio lectures, audio interviews, photos, written explanations and art / handicraft / daily life objects on display.

the fascinating astrolabe

West Asia / Islamic Gallery

In one smaller Islamic gallery alone, I learned about the Islamic quest for knowledge and the fields of medicine, anatomy, pharmacology (plant medicine), astronomy, telling time, surveying, literature, poetry and music. I also learned about the Sufis and ecstatic dance states.

The most fascinating part to me was a video demonstrating how to use and astrolabe, a phenomenally complicated instrument created to tell time and to chart stars.

Afterward, I watched short videos of an Islamic circumcision ceremony in Turkey and an Islamic wedding in Bulgaria. I listened to an Islamic woman’s perspectives on various aspects of Islamic beliefs like marriage, the status of women and clothing styles.

I also saw on display intricately carved tombstone, fabrics, swords, daggers, silver objects, jewelry, flags, clothing, household items and a lavish tent home interior.

SE Asian Gallery display – Asian Civilizations Museum

 SE Asia Gallery

The main SE Asia Gallery I also found quite fascinating. Various exhibits explain the region as a whole on several different levels: the history of the region, the implications of the monsoonal climate, the impact of rice cultivation, the ancient trade route between the various islands, the most important kingdoms and nations, and the influence of Buddhism and Islam on the region.

Other exhibits in the gallery showcase individual countries, tribes and kingdoms via displays of hundreds of art objects, handicrafts and daily life objects. Each display is accompanied by written explanations and/or video and audio presentations.

If you tend to get bored or overwhelmed by purely educational presentations, instead you can spend several exciting hours in the museum looking at hundreds upon hundreds of art and handicraft objects from all over Asia.

Chinese porcelein figurines – Asian Civilizations Museum

 China Gallery

One of the best galleries for art objects is the China Gallery. On display are stunning ceramics, porcelain sculptures and figurines, traditional paintings, Chinese opera costumes, silk fabrics, embroidery, wood statues, furniture, puppets, burial implements and other objects.

On the topic of Chinese culture, the gallery explores China’s three primary religions, filial piety and ancestor worship.

The remaining galleries are similar to these, each exhibiting hundreds of art objects and presenting educational information about their particular region of Asia.

Alas, I only had a few minutes to dash through a couple of the remaining nine galleries before I had to leave. Next time I’m in Singapore I’ll make a bee-line to the museum to complete my visit.

Javanese gamelan – Asian Civilizations Museum

 Meanwhile, here’s some information to help you visit this great museum:

Open daily Tues-Sun 9-7 pm (Fri until 9 pm) / Mon 1-7 pm

As of 2013, the adult entry fee is $8 Sing.

However, the museum offers many special rates for children, senior citizens, students and Singaporean residents.

Also worth note: On Friday evenings 7-9 pm, the museum entry fee drops to $4 Sing.

There are free guided tours daily in English and in French, Japanese, Mandarin and Korean on select days of the week.

For complete information about opening hours, directions, admission fees, guided tours and special exhibitions or events, visit Asian Civilizations Museum website.

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