Former Ford Factory
Former Ford Factory
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
63 reviews
Excellent
45
Very good
13
Average
5
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Simon H
Singapore, Singapore401 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
We've been meaning to visit the former Ford factory for years now, but have only just got round to it. The frontage is definitely iconic, but the gallery really is a hidden gem, with some really interesting newspapers, magazines, photos and artefacts from Singapore's wartime and Emergency period. While the site focuses on the failure of the Singapore Strategy and the subsequent British surrender, there are also insights into the occupation, including outrages such as the Sook Ching massacres and mistreatment of the civilian population. Little-known aspects of the conflict are covered, including the raising of the Indian National Army, which subsequently fought the British at Imphal, and there's coverage of the KMT and Communist anti-Japanese forces, including the MPAJA. The museum also covers some postwar events including the Chinese Middle School students' movement and the Hock Lee bus riots.
The museum packs a lot into a small space and is well worth visiting.
The museum packs a lot into a small space and is well worth visiting.
Written 23 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LDSuk
UK10 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
Very good museum hidden away amongst housing developments. Interesting Art Deco frontage for the architectural buffs to admire.
Only cost $ 7 sing and free if you are a resident or work pass holder.
Didn’t realise this was where the British actually surrendered to the Japanese, the chairs in the room are originals but the actual table where the documents were signed is located elsewhere.
Lots of interesting collections to look at, much of it provided by people who lived through the war in Singapore.
It’s split into two parts; pre war and occupation and the post war period. Well laid out with visual and audio displays.
If you are a history buff or like me, just wanted to know a bit more, it’s worth a visit. Buses pass nearby and I think there was a vending machine for drinks outside. Spent a couple of hours and felt as if I had seen most of the displays. Friendly helpful staff and wasn’t crowded, in fact I was on my own for most of the visit.
Only cost $ 7 sing and free if you are a resident or work pass holder.
Didn’t realise this was where the British actually surrendered to the Japanese, the chairs in the room are originals but the actual table where the documents were signed is located elsewhere.
Lots of interesting collections to look at, much of it provided by people who lived through the war in Singapore.
It’s split into two parts; pre war and occupation and the post war period. Well laid out with visual and audio displays.
If you are a history buff or like me, just wanted to know a bit more, it’s worth a visit. Buses pass nearby and I think there was a vending machine for drinks outside. Spent a couple of hours and felt as if I had seen most of the displays. Friendly helpful staff and wasn’t crowded, in fact I was on my own for most of the visit.
Written 4 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bert88
Reading, UK78 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
This is a great museum to visit. A brilliant and comprehensive history of the events leading to the start of the Japanese invasion of Singapore, the war itself, the surrender and the occupation of the island.
The room in which General Percival signed the surrender document is still there with the original chairs. The table is a replica as the original is now at a museum in Australia.
A must visit for anyone who is interested in the history of Singapore.
Word of advice. To preserve the exhibits, the room temperature is set at 13C, so it’s very cold.
Highly recommended.
The room in which General Percival signed the surrender document is still there with the original chairs. The table is a replica as the original is now at a museum in Australia.
A must visit for anyone who is interested in the history of Singapore.
Word of advice. To preserve the exhibits, the room temperature is set at 13C, so it’s very cold.
Highly recommended.
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven B
Barrowford, UK141 contributions
Jun 2022
Very interesting place. Not very big,but chronicles the fall of Singapore and life during the Japanese occupation and after the war. This place could use a little cafe,the only refreshments being a vending machine outside of the main building.
The staff were very knowledgeable and friendly.
The staff were very knowledgeable and friendly.
Written 22 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kini68
Christchurch, New Zealand315 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
Don’t get me wrong, this is a lovely little museum and well designed by the archives folk. I just felt because I had been to other Singapore museums and heard a lot of the history before, that I didn’t get as much out of it as I hoped. Also I was very disappointed with the external appearance of the building which is clearly overdue for some cleaning & painting. I came for the art deco building as much as the exhibition. A friend showed me her photos from 2016 and the building looked much better then.
Written 13 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Casey_An
Hong Kong, China616 contributions
Dec 2023 • Business
This former factory has been turned into an exhibition space for the Japanese Occupation in WWII. The surrounding area and the factory is formed as a historical trail. Worth the journey if you have half day to spend. Don't forget to bring a jacket as the venue is super cold.
Written 15 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JackyTanSG
Singapore, Singapore2,697 contributions
Oct 2020 • Solo
Here is the site where Singapore was formally surrendered by the British to the imperial Japanese. You will find detailed account of Singapore's war history from its exhibits. The interior of the museum is nicely done up and the aircon is powerful. Highly recommended for the history buff!
Written 2 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TechnicalSarge
5 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
We spent about three hours here at the site of the former WW2 Japanese Military HQ and site of the British surrender.
Located a short distance from the main centre, it is well worth a visit. Showing the fall of Singapore from the British to the Japanese, it is an excellent museum to visit after seeing the Battlebox at Fort Canning.
Extremely well laid out, with plenty of room to move around, the museum is a mixture of printed text, artefacts, audio and video presentations.
The museum is split into two sections; the period of the surrender, and life after occupation.
Highly recommended for all adults and teenagers. Some content may be unsuitable for younger children (description of torture) however it’s inclusion is vital to the greater understanding.
Located a short distance from the main centre, it is well worth a visit. Showing the fall of Singapore from the British to the Japanese, it is an excellent museum to visit after seeing the Battlebox at Fort Canning.
Extremely well laid out, with plenty of room to move around, the museum is a mixture of printed text, artefacts, audio and video presentations.
The museum is split into two sections; the period of the surrender, and life after occupation.
Highly recommended for all adults and teenagers. Some content may be unsuitable for younger children (description of torture) however it’s inclusion is vital to the greater understanding.
Written 28 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RobynBSydney
Sydney200 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
Very worthwhile exhibition.
We took the 2.30 guided tour but found it difficult to understand our guide as her English language skills were not good. We stuck with her for the hour long tour as she valiantly carried on and went back after the tour to revisit the things we were wanting more information on. The problem with these tours is that if too many dates and specifics are given, one loses interest.
I didn’t have a problem with the cold temperature but took a shawl available from the reception with me in case.
This, along with Fort Silosa and Battlebox gives a remarkable insight into Singapore ‘s war history.
We took the 2.30 guided tour but found it difficult to understand our guide as her English language skills were not good. We stuck with her for the hour long tour as she valiantly carried on and went back after the tour to revisit the things we were wanting more information on. The problem with these tours is that if too many dates and specifics are given, one loses interest.
I didn’t have a problem with the cold temperature but took a shawl available from the reception with me in case.
This, along with Fort Silosa and Battlebox gives a remarkable insight into Singapore ‘s war history.
Written 6 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kang j
6 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
the place is not small! if u whizzzz thru it it can seem so but i’m not going to waste my time refuting some reviewers narrow views on history.
the english guide was great! although there r info. posted for all the exhibits asking Qs during the tour and trying to understand in a more personal context was what i felt was the highlight!
also this is the biggest memorial in asia dedicated to wwII.
well done singapore!!!
the english guide was great! although there r info. posted for all the exhibits asking Qs during the tour and trying to understand in a more personal context was what i felt was the highlight!
also this is the biggest memorial in asia dedicated to wwII.
well done singapore!!!
Written 19 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Team at Trip Advisor... I was just glancing at my review & found a glaring mistake!
In the last paragraph, second line, it should say, 'take the second right'.
NOT the second left!
Could you please correct this?
Jeanette.
Written 5 June 2018
Hi Team at Trip Advisor,
Please read the recent question I wrote & correct my review.
Thank you.
Jeanette.
Written 5 June 2018
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