Peranakan Museum
Peranakan Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
The Peranakan Museum explores the culture of Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia. Installed in the former Tao Nan Chinese School, built in 1912, this intimate museum possesses one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of Peranakan objects. Galleries on three floors illustrate the cultural traditions and the distinctive visual arts of the Peranakans. The Peranakan Museum provides a stimulating and educational experience for all, while representing the living culture of the Peranakan community in the region. The museum is a component of the Asian Civilisations Museum, operating under the National Heritage Board.
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See what travellers are saying
- KristinaStockholm, Sweden25 contributionsEntering the colourful pastElegant exposition of the Singaporean past. Beautiful things; clothes, furniture, jewellery, textiles and historical photographs. We've been lucky enough to participate in excellent guided tour which gave insight in the culture, its customs and tradition.Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 5 November 2023
- ManngaDuaSingapore, Singapore548 contributionsGood collectionsI like visiting museums to see historical stuff and arts. The museum is located in the city center and surrounded by modern buildings, but it maintains beautiful traditional architecture. The museum is not huge and collections are limited. What I loved to see was accessories and dresses. They display beautiful pairs of beaded shoes. These are really stunning. I know that not much people are having this Peranakan bead craft skills any more. Hope tradition will never die off.Visited December 2023Travelled soloWritten 17 December 2023
- HT1024Singapore, Singapore1,093 contributionsPretty little museumSmall but very beautiful and interesting museum on Straits borne Chinese (mostly)/India/European cultures and artefacts. Situated in the museums and nearby Bencoolen cultural area so one can include it in addition to other activities. There is a ~20 min free guided tour so total time there would probably be under an hour. The museum shop has pretty items albeit a little expensive.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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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
1,259 reviews
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Robert M Tomlin
Singapore, Singapore38 contributions
Mar 2023
The museum has now reopened after a lengthy closure. As it highlights a culture which extends all over SE Asia it is well worth a visit by newcomers and longer term residents.
Singapore was by no means the only centre of Peranakan culture, but it was one of the wealthiest. This shows in the handsome new jewelry section. There is a better display of Peranakan fashion, with some more recent takes on the classic batik sarong and shawl.
In the fabrics display you will find some exquisite batiks. This type of work is impossible to find elsewhere.
If the museum is too spare, even anaemic, for lovers of things Peranakan, go and visit the Baba House or Joo Chiat. More is more, that is the motto.
When you enter, listen to some of the video clips from Peranakan, on the ground floor.
If you thought the Chinese were the only newcomers, you will learn a lot.
Singapore was by no means the only centre of Peranakan culture, but it was one of the wealthiest. This shows in the handsome new jewelry section. There is a better display of Peranakan fashion, with some more recent takes on the classic batik sarong and shawl.
In the fabrics display you will find some exquisite batiks. This type of work is impossible to find elsewhere.
If the museum is too spare, even anaemic, for lovers of things Peranakan, go and visit the Baba House or Joo Chiat. More is more, that is the motto.
When you enter, listen to some of the video clips from Peranakan, on the ground floor.
If you thought the Chinese were the only newcomers, you will learn a lot.
Written 6 March 2023
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.
spedubec
Bologna, Italy5,654 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
This morning it was drizzling so it was the right time to enter a museum in Singapore. The Peranakan is beautiful; it exhibits objects from the various cultures that have found themselves living together here. In this period there is an extremely interesting exhibition of Japanese fukusa, which are cloths used to wrap gifts on the occasion of important occasions.
Written 1 June 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.
Orator11
Singapore, Singapore7,582 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
Quite a well curated if rather small museum. Visiting it took me back to the days when my family visited the house of this Ah Koh or the other Ah Kim etc.
Loved the second floor, especially, where tablewares such as kamcheng are laid out. Also liked the jewellery and accessories, as I remembered the hair pins and metal studded belts that my mom put on with her sarong kebaya.
There is also an interesting section on floor 3 of how gold needlework is done and of the various places, particularly in Java and other parts of Indonesia, where the skill began and spread.
It is worthwhile visiting this recently renovated and reopened museum for its educational, cultural and historical artifacts. Moreover, entry is free for locals.
The building itself is well preserved and lovely. Try to spot the kucinta or cat. There are a series of steep steps leading to each floor.
Loved the second floor, especially, where tablewares such as kamcheng are laid out. Also liked the jewellery and accessories, as I remembered the hair pins and metal studded belts that my mom put on with her sarong kebaya.
There is also an interesting section on floor 3 of how gold needlework is done and of the various places, particularly in Java and other parts of Indonesia, where the skill began and spread.
It is worthwhile visiting this recently renovated and reopened museum for its educational, cultural and historical artifacts. Moreover, entry is free for locals.
The building itself is well preserved and lovely. Try to spot the kucinta or cat. There are a series of steep steps leading to each floor.
Written 10 March 2023
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.
HT1024
Singapore, Singapore1,093 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Small but very beautiful and interesting museum on Straits borne Chinese (mostly)/India/European cultures and artefacts. Situated in the museums and nearby Bencoolen cultural area so one can include it in addition to other activities. There is a ~20 min free guided tour so total time there would probably be under an hour. The museum shop has pretty items albeit a little expensive.
Written 23 July 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.
ManngaDua
Singapore, Singapore548 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
I like visiting museums to see historical stuff and arts. The museum is located in the city center and surrounded by modern buildings, but it maintains beautiful traditional architecture. The museum is not huge and collections are limited. What I loved to see was accessories and dresses. They display beautiful pairs of beaded shoes. These are really stunning. I know that not much people are having this Peranakan bead craft skills any more. Hope tradition will never die off.
Written 17 December 2023
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.
Princes of travel
Paris, France7,347 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The museum is located in downtown Singapore, in a magnificent building. An authentic Peranakan bourgeois house, the museum presents the culture inherited from the crossbreeding between Chinese or Indian traders and Malay women.
Many themes are covered in this museum such as the origins of families, ceremonial clothing, religion, funeral rites, everyday life, public life, tableware, and home furnishings. The third floor is devoted to batik and jewelry, crafts and embroidery.
The museum presents film screenings, testimonies, photos, reconstructions of life scenes which totally immerse us in this culture little known to us Europeans.
The porcelain is magnificent, the tableware sublime. Articulated on several levels, the collections are dense and impressive. There is even a painting depicting Lee Kuan Yew proclaiming Singapore's independence in 1965.
The staff are friendly and welcoming. Entrance is $12, which is very inexpensive. Allow 1h30 for the visit.
Many themes are covered in this museum such as the origins of families, ceremonial clothing, religion, funeral rites, everyday life, public life, tableware, and home furnishings. The third floor is devoted to batik and jewelry, crafts and embroidery.
The museum presents film screenings, testimonies, photos, reconstructions of life scenes which totally immerse us in this culture little known to us Europeans.
The porcelain is magnificent, the tableware sublime. Articulated on several levels, the collections are dense and impressive. There is even a painting depicting Lee Kuan Yew proclaiming Singapore's independence in 1965.
The staff are friendly and welcoming. Entrance is $12, which is very inexpensive. Allow 1h30 for the visit.
Written 14 October 2023
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.
Edoardo B
Verona, Italy292 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
This museum is not necessarily on the main tourist list, but it is definitely worth a visit because it documents various aspects of everyday life, from clothing to cuisine to photography, the coexistence and mutual influences between the communities that form the Singaporean identity, the all with a look at the West. This museum is an almost obligatory complement to a visit to the National Museum. The relationship between quantity of finds, location and furnishings, involvement of guides and friendly atmosphere are excellent.
Written 10 October 2023
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.
Dan L
Bunbury, Australia8,887 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
This is a very interesting museum that is housed in the former Tao Nan Chinese School which was built in 1912. Beautiful building in the Neoclassical architecture style with the exhibits showcased on three floors. Very well curated and showcasing furniture, jewelry, clothing, textiles, batik fabrics and historical photographs, all relics of a snapshot of history. Wish we had been aware that free tours are conducted, worthwhile checking in advance of a visit.
Written 21 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.
Tualie
Varese, Italy1,603 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Very beautiful building in Neoclassical style with Corinthian capitals, atrium and porticoes which was the old primary Tao Nan school founded by the Hokkien community and became the first modern Chinese school.
Small museum but shows many beautiful pieces of clothing, furniture, utensils; a melting pot of cultures between Chinese, Malay, Indonesian, Arab even with Western that reflects in the objects. When we went, there was a very interesting and beautiful exhibit of ancient fukusas. We had fun designing our fukusa with a computer. Also enjoyed a lot chatting with the volunteer about peoples migration and adaptation that continues to evolve today. Wished to stay longer but since it was our last day, we had to run. If interested in local culture and society evolution, this is a great place.
Small museum but shows many beautiful pieces of clothing, furniture, utensils; a melting pot of cultures between Chinese, Malay, Indonesian, Arab even with Western that reflects in the objects. When we went, there was a very interesting and beautiful exhibit of ancient fukusas. We had fun designing our fukusa with a computer. Also enjoyed a lot chatting with the volunteer about peoples migration and adaptation that continues to evolve today. Wished to stay longer but since it was our last day, we had to run. If interested in local culture and society evolution, this is a great place.
Written 29 October 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.
SCHAVE_R
Shah Alam, Malaysia77 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
As a tourist to pay so much, i felt it was not to my expectations. It was purely a musuem highlighting artifacts. I walked around this small museum and did not feel connected to the exhibits. What could have been better … a recreated peranakan house, food, traditional customs, etc. instead we are looking a collections of a past community. Only the video on the ground floor has a video of the various peoples. So much could have been done.
Written 5 May 2023
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.
Can anyone speak to which experience & guided tour is better? Visiting NUS BABA House, OR the Peranaken Museum? I only have time for one.
Written 3 March 2018
I’ve not seen NUS Baba house. I suggest guided would be better if u are not familiar with Asian culture.
Written 11 March 2018
Vikings3746
Perth, Australia
Is there a shop and does it sell Peranakan-style ceramics?
Written 8 November 2017
Are there audio guide in Italian? Thank you!
Written 9 October 2017
Hope this reply isn't too late. Unfortunately, there is no Italian guide.
Nonetheless, I hoped ull enjoy this place when u are here.
Written 10 December 2017
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