Asian Civilisations Museum
Asian Civilisations 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 Asian Civilisations Museum is devoted to exploring the rich artistic heritage of Asia, especially the ancestral cultures of Singaporeans. Founded in 1993 and in its present building by the Singapore River since 2003, the museum traces its roots to the Raffles Museum, founded in the middle of the 19th century. ACM focuses on the many historical connections between the cultures of Asia, and between Asia and the world. Singapore’s history as a port city that brought people together from all over the world is used as a means of examining the history of Asia. Special exhibitions bring magnificent objects from around the world to our Singapore audience. Programmes like the annual River Nights encourage visitors to connect more closely with culture and the arts.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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from S$15.77
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Top ways to experience Asian Civilisations Museum and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: City Hall
How to get there
- Raffles Place • 5 min walk
- Telok Ayer • 9 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
7,529 within 5 kms
Attractions
801 within 10 kms
See what other travellers are saying
- BearSingapore, Singapore34 contributionsCute wreckship collectionI visited the museum on a rainy Saturday. It was quiet and relaxing because of a few visitors. The staff was friendly, and the entrance fee was SGD 8. It is cheaper if you purchase TripAdvisor's ticket, but my payment could not go through TripAdvisor's app. There were paid lockers (two different sizes) for locking your things (25 and 50 cents). The collection from the wreck ship in the Tang dynasty is interesting. Some cute broken cups and containers. Most of the collection here is relatively "new" (recent 100 years) and reflects the lives of common people, instead of the fine arts of collections from palaces or royal families. The collection of S. Asian culture is interesting to me. I spent about 2.5 hours at the museum. It was a lovely rainy Saturday at the museum.Visited September 2020Written 20 September 2020
- mjail51,460 contributionsLove the Shipwreck SectionWe spent 5 hours in the Museum and this was still not enough. I particularly enjoyed the Shipwreck section on the Ground Floor. We also went on both the Batik Kita Tour (which is the current Special Exhibition) and the General Tour which was back to back. The Batik Kita tour took about 50mins that I did not have much time to casually go through the exhibition before having to join the General Tour. We did find the SGD 25 on the high side as quite often Museums are free to visit worldwide.Visited July 2022Written 1 August 2022
- Robyn OPhuket, Thailand5 contributionsFabulous specialised exhibitionsWhenever I am going to Singapore I always check to see if there are any new exhibitions at this museum. I have seen several very interesting and varied exhibitions over the last year. I am never disappointed when visiting here. The Asian anthropological exhibits and the Tang Shipwreck are also very interesting. I can spend hours here looking and the wide range of artefacts available. It is definitely worth visiting and is a very short walk from Raffles MRT Station. I have also had lunch here several times as well. This has also been a very enjoyable experience and a nice way to finish off seeing the exhibitions.Visited January 2020Written 30 January 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.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,222 reviews
Excellent
1,205
Very good
766
Average
214
Poor
30
Terrible
7
631BarbaraM
Inwood, WV172 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Don't miss this museum. Found it while on the river cruise and so glad we went. No better way to understand a place one visits than being informed about the cultures inhabiting the place you visit. Amazing museum, beautifully curated and well worth two/three hours of your time while in Singapore.
Written 7 August 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.
Geminican
San Jose, CA2,092 contributions
Jul 2023 • Business
Asian Civilization Museum does not focus on Singapore history. If that's what you are after, please visit National Museum of Singapore.
Asian Civilization Museum is a replica of modern day of Singapore where diversity in ethnicity, religion, culture, and art converges. Here you will learn about different religions, arts, and cultures that comprises Singapore and southeast Asian culture.
Southeast Asian culture is more diverse than that of Japan, India, or China.
It's a blend of those and others.
This is a great place to learn about all these.
One special permanent exhibit in this museum has a comprehensive collection of artifacts from a shipwreck from Tang Dynasty dated 800 A.D.
If you are into archaeology, this is a must - see.
Asian Civilization Museum is a replica of modern day of Singapore where diversity in ethnicity, religion, culture, and art converges. Here you will learn about different religions, arts, and cultures that comprises Singapore and southeast Asian culture.
Southeast Asian culture is more diverse than that of Japan, India, or China.
It's a blend of those and others.
This is a great place to learn about all these.
One special permanent exhibit in this museum has a comprehensive collection of artifacts from a shipwreck from Tang Dynasty dated 800 A.D.
If you are into archaeology, this is a must - see.
Written 31 July 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.
Derrick Aw
Singapore, Singapore767 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
The best part of this museum was the tang shipwreck section - items especially the bowls were artistically displayed.
The little bit of interaction was the DIY design, but that’s available only because of Andrew Gn exhibition. By the way, I felt his exhibition was probably more appropriate for national gallery.
Overall the info presented with just right. Lots of people around for you to ask questions or seek directions.
Nice to spend two to three hours here. Can come after eating at Prive restaurant as it gives you an entrance fee discount (locals get free entrance).
The little bit of interaction was the DIY design, but that’s available only because of Andrew Gn exhibition. By the way, I felt his exhibition was probably more appropriate for national gallery.
Overall the info presented with just right. Lots of people around for you to ask questions or seek directions.
Nice to spend two to three hours here. Can come after eating at Prive restaurant as it gives you an entrance fee discount (locals get free entrance).
Written 23 July 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.
Jacqui R
Oxford, UK173 contributions
May 2023 • Family
Such a beautiful museum! The dark grey cabinet linings and tasteful warm lighting made each piece glow! The jewellery was cleverly shown with photographic models superimposed behind the pieces, giving a real feel of size and placement! The ancient statues a real delight too!!
Written 16 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.
Ralph M
Findlay, OH127 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Coming into the museum, you don't get overwhelmed. There is a big space devoted to an old shipwreck downstairs, and you probably will go through that before getting into the rest of the museum. As you work through the rest of the museum, you do get overwhelmed. Their collection of historical cultural and religious artifacts from many cultures of Southeast Asia is extensive and impressive. Back to the shipwreck: it illustrates the major focus of the museum, which is the interactions and interconnections between Southeast Asia's civilizations, and to Europe. We were in the museum for 2-3 hours, and could really have used more time.
Written 6 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.
jollyginger
Ashtead, UK42 contributions
Apr 2023
As the heat rose we decided to enjoy a cool off in the museum and enjoyed the exhibits and a nice iced beer in the cafe. Nice helpful staff.
Written 25 April 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.
GLB103
England, UK75 contributions
Apr 2023
We were so impressed by all the exhibition rooms - The Tang Shipwreck cargo was a particular highlight. The information boards were great and we learnt so much. We even popped back the following day to join the 45 minute highlight tour and to visit the 3rd floor exhibition which we hadn't managed to cover the previous day. Thoroughly recommend and one of the best museums in Singapore. I must add the reception staff were extremely friendly and so helpful.
Written 21 April 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.
Jon C
Tampa, FL14 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
All I can say is WOW. I know the basic history of the Silk Road and maritime trade throughout Asia to points west, but the displays were very well-curated and immersive.
Written 8 April 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.
genibre69
London, UK3,362 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
I greatly enjoyed my visit. I admittedly came in with low expectations as Asian history is a lesser interest than mine versus European history but I was so impressed by the extent of English information on the placards everywhere and the extensive artifacts I could have stayed longer than the 1.5 hours I was there. Plus museum Wifi and free phone chargers at the front. Highly recommend.
Written 2 April 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.
Clarence F
Malaysia4 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Very big on rules. Tickets are not enough for the security guys who demand to see the stickers - - which the desk forgot to give us. Also not big on impedimenta. So leave the brollies behind when you come here, even if the island is in the middle of a rainy spell right now.
Written 9 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.
How long does it take to finish the whole museum?
Emperor P
Singapore, Singapore6 contributions
If u r fast maybe a few hours but if u r an archeologist type, it might take a whole day
Kinhvanghoe
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam1 contribution
Excuse me, is there any volunteer guide at this museum? If yes, how can I contact with them?
Ying Chun T
Singapore, null, Singapore
Hi there, if you are planning to visit the museum and attend a guided tour, there are free guided tours every day, run by different museum volunteer/docent groups.
The English tours are at 11am (Daily), 2pm (Daily), 3pm (only Sat & Sun) and 7pm (only on Friday). For more details, please visit the ACM website.
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Claim your listingASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Asian Civilisations Museum
- Asian Civilisations Museum is open:
- Fri - Fri 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Sat - Thu 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Asian Civilisations Museum admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost S$17.51, while a popular guided tour starts around S$7.12 per person. See all 9 Asian Civilisations Museum tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
- Asian Civilisations Museum can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. See all 9 Asian Civilisations Museum tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Asian Civilisations Museum:
- Asian Civilisations Museum Admission Ticket (From S$17.51)
- Private Singapore City Sightseeing Walking Tour (From S$216.29)
- The Civic District with Singapore Boy Hossan Leong: A Self-Guided Audio Tour (From S$7.12)
- Go City: Singapore All-Inclusive Pass with 35+ Attractions (From S$241.01)
- Big Bus Singapore Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (From S$63.22)
- Hotels near Asian Civilisations Museum:
- (0.19 km) The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
- (0.24 km) BEAT. Capsules
- (0.48 km) The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
- (0.31 km) Quarters Hostel
- (0.27 km) 5footway.inn Project Boat Quay
- Restaurants near Asian Civilisations Museum:
- (0.02 km) Empress
- (0.02 km) Privé ACM
- (0.19 km) The Courtyard
- (0.19 km) The Lighthouse
- (0.21 km) Jade