National Museum of Singapore
REVIEW: National Museum of Singapore
Last time I visited Singapore I discovered a remarkably captivating state-of-the-art history museum. Yes, history museum! I kid you not.
I know, I know ‘captivating’ and ‘exciting’ are not usually the first words that pop into most people’s minds at the thought of a history museum.
So to best illustrate my point, here’s a video of my entry to the museum:
This is how it all begins. Intrigued yet?
What follows that spectacular, mind-boggling entrance is a vast collection of state-of-the-art interactive displays that use wall-size videos, historical photographs, artifacts, live props, short movies, and oral story-telling via a self-service audio tour that guides visitors through all the intrigues of Singapore’s colorful history.
Before entering, guests are handed their own free audio guide, which gives options on where to go within the musem, what to see and learn. They’ve come up with a creative way to guide guests through the labyrinth of rooms, which are each focused on a particular time period or event in Singapore’s history. The museum floors are marked with large numbers used by the audio guide to steer you to the topics that most interest you.
History Galleries – National Museum of Singapore
Throughout the museum, photos, displays, movies and props are labeled with numbers which correspond to audio lessons or information. If you see a photo of a particularly interesting historical character, punch the photo’s number into your audio guide and find out who he/she was! Notice a curious object or prop? Pop in the number and learn what it is. Fun!
During my visit, I watched a 180-degree full-wall movie about the original discovery of Singapore by neighboring explorers. Remarkably, the movie shifted around the room, faded in and out, and transformed into photographs as the story unfolded. The story itself was interesting, but the state-of-the-art visuals made it fascinating.
History Galleries – National Museum of Singapore
Captivating professional story-tellers narrate historical events, relate everyday citizens’ experiences and explain unique happenings over seven centuries. Stories are told from the perspective of servants, coolies, upper-class housewives, prostitutes, opium addicts, city leaders, company managers, soldiers, workers on strike, policemen and other real Singaporeans from day’s gone by.
Historical periods represented include the discovery of Singapore, Asian trading route days, the British colonial period, WW II, and an infamous bus strike, among others.
This museum is hands-down and by-far the most amazing history museum I have ever experienced. It was so fascinating that I spent the entire day in those halls, right up until the doors closed. Yet I still didn’t see everything! I loved it so much that I’ll be sure to return next time I visit Singapore.
hallway in the National Museum of Singapore
The Rest of Singapore National Museum
The museum itself is housed in one of Singapore’s architectural landmarks, a gorgeous colonial British building in central Singapore. In addition to the fascinating History Galleries, the museum offers four ‘Living Galleries’ about life in Singapore. They’re focused on the themes of food, the film and wayang (shadow puppets) industry, fashion, and photography.
Living Gallery of Food – National Musuem of Singapore
The living galleries offer the same excellent concept as the history galleries: beautiful visual displays, historical photographs, video presentations based on real citizens’ stories and historical events, and oral story telling.
The intriguing displays and unique perspectives make the entire National Museum seem more like a cultural museum than anything else.
In addition to the permanent galleries, the museum presents temporary exhibitions, festivals, performances, lectures, workshops, films and special events.
Cheongsam Exhibition May 2012 – National Museum of Singapore
I was fortunate to catch the beautiful temporary cheongsam exhibition. Cheongsam are traditional Chinese dresses. ‘In the Mood for Cheongsam: Modernity and Singapore Women’ traces the ever-changing cheongsam styles, designs and fabric over the decades from the 1920s, with the premise that fashions shed light onto each time periods’ events, social outlooks and the stance of women. Great exhibit. Beautiful dresses.
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National Museum Entrance fee: $10 Sing ($8 US)
Free guided tours are offered in English several days per week.
Facilities include a museum shop, a cafe, and a restaurant
Access, directions, opening hours and information about special events and exhibitions are found on the website: National Museum.sg
The National Museum is located on the north side of Fort Canning Hill in central Singapore city at 93 Stamford Rd. It’s a 10-15 minute walk from Little India or Orchard Road. From Singapore River’s Clark Quay it’s a 15-20 minute walk. You can also reach the museum by several public buses and the Metro.
You might also enjoy my Review of Wanderlust Boutique Hotel or 10 Free Things to do in Singapore
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Hi! I'm Lash, an American nomadic world traveler who's been traveling solo since 1998. I’m passionate about traveling the world nomadically and then sharing it all with you. I hope to inspire you to travel the world, to entertain you with tales from the road, and to help you reach your travel dreams. Welcome! 
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Review of Asian Civilizations Museum - Singapore - LashWorldTour » LashWorldTour
2013/03/16 at 6:34 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
[…] LashWorldTourTravel Blog offering Cultural Insights, Travel Tips, and Tales of Adventure from 14+ years of world travelsHOMEABOUTAbout LashWorldTourAbout LashContactWhat’s in a name?LashWorldTour Travel MapLash’s Travel Fast FactsMissionsWorld Travels Overview: 1991-2011PressDisclaimerCOUNTRIESASIABALI- INDONESIABalinese CultureDiving in BaliBicycling in BaliAmedSanurBali MiscBANGLADESHBRUNEICAMBODIASHANGHAI- CHINAHONG KONGINDONESIABaliJavaLombokJAPANLAOSMALAYSIAKuala LumpurPenangLangkawiBorneoDiving in MalaysiaMalaysia MiscMYANMARNEPALPHILIPPINESSINGAPORESRI LANKATHAILANDVIETNAMAUSTRALIAEUROPEENGLANDSPAINS AMERICABRAZILUSAAdventuresBicycle TravelCycling in Bali SeriesHikingMotorbike TravelScuba DivingSky DivingSurvivor TV CrewTravel DisastersWWOOFCruisesTravel TalesCulturePhoto GalleriesTravel Tips10 Free Things to do in… SeriesHow To Afford Long-Term World Travel SeriesWhy Living Overseas is Better SeriesAccommodation TipsFlight TipsLuxury Travel TipsMoney TipsSafety TipsMisc Travel TipsBeyond GuidebooksTravel ResourcesTRAVEL INTERVIEWSBook ReviewsHotel – Tour – Museum ReviewsLINKSTravel StoreFREE eBookTravel Books StoreLash’s Guidebooks to Bali wp_flash_img_show will display here (config: default)« PHOTO GALLERY: Traditional Boats of Asia Review of Asian Civilizations Museum – Singapore 2013/03/16 by Lash WorldTourAsian Civilizations Museum – SingaporeReview 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 MuseumThe 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 ChinaIn 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 astrolabeWest Asia / Islamic GalleryIn 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 GalleryThe 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 GalleryOne 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 pmAs 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.————————————————————————————————————————————————–You might also enjoy my: Review of National Museum of Singapore————————————————————————————————————————————————– /* /* Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published.Name:Email:Website:Message:You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong> […]
What’s cool about Singapore? | AILEEN IN WONDERLAND ... DOWN MY RABBIT-HOLE
2014/07/27 at 10:55 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
[…] the rotunda and dome of the National Museum of Singapore are worth a peek, and its exhibits too if visitors have […]