Museums

The National Heritage Board runs seven leading museums and heritage interpretative centres aimed at not just showcasing the history, art, culture and heritage of Singapore but also of countries in the region.

Asian Civilisations Museum

The Asian Civilisations Museum is the first museum in the region to present a broad yet integrated perspective of pan-Asian cultures and civilisations. Singapore’s forefathers came from many parts of Asia bringing with them a rich heritage of culture and tradition. The museum’s collection centres on the material cultures of the different groups originating from China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia.

Address: 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555

Tel: (65) 6332 7798

Operating hours:
Monday – 1pm to 7pm
Tuesday to Sunday – 9am to 7pm (Till 9m on Fridays)

The Old Ford Motor Factory which was once used to assemble fighter planes for the British during World War II, was the site for the formal surrender of Singapore by Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival to the Japanese Commander of the 25th Army, General Yamashita Tomoyuki in 1942. This heritage interpretive centre now gives visitors a haunting look at those dark days of conflict.

Address: 351 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 588192

Tel: (65) 6462 6724

Operating hours:
Monday to Saturday – 9am to 5.30pm
Sunday – Noon to 5.30pm

The National Museum of Singapore is Singapore’s oldest museum with the youngest and most innovative soul. Designed to be the people’s museum, it prides itself on introducing cutting edge and varied ways of presenting history to redefine the conventional museum experience.

Address: 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897

Tel: (65) 6332 3659

Operating hours:
Singapore History Gallery
10am to 6pm, daily (last admission 5.30pm)

Singapore Living Galleries
10am - 8pm, daily (last admission 7.30pm)
Free admission from 6pm - 8pm, daily

The Peranakan Museum houses the world’s finest and most comprehensive collection of Peranakan artefacts. It presents a Southeast Asian-wide view of Peranakan culture. Its rich material legacy and heritage are enhanced by state-of-the-art display technology, coupled with educational interactives for the young.

Address: 39 Armenian Street, Singapore 179941

Tel: (65) 6332 7591

Operating hours:
Monday – 1pm to 7pm
Tuesday to Sunday – 9am to 7pm (Till 9pm on Friday)

This World War II interpretive centre commemorates the gallantry and sacrifice of men from the 1st and 2nd battalion, Malay Regiment who defended the western sector of Singapore in February 1942 against overwhelming Japanese forces.

Address: 31K Pepys Road, Singapore 118458

Tel: (65) 6375 2510

Operating hours:
Tuesday to Sunday – 9am to 5.30pm

Opened in January 1996, the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) seeks to preserve and present the art histories and contemporary art practices of Singapore and the Southeast Asian region. To date it has amassed the world’s largest public collection of modern and contemporary Southeast Asian artworks with a growing component in international contemporary art.

Address: 71 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189555

Tel: (65) 6332 3222

Operating hours:
Monday to Sunday – 10am to 7pm
Friday – 10am to 9pm
Free admission – on Friday nights, 6pm to 9pm

This museum houses an extensive collection of Stamps from early Singapore and around the world. A child-friendly museum, it organises talks and workshops on a variety of philatelic topics.

Address: 23 B Coleman Street, Singapore 179807

Tel: (65) 6337 3888

Operating hours:
Monday – 1pm to 7pm
Tuesday to Sunday – 9am to 7pm