The Intan
The Intan
4.8
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
VISITS ARE STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENTS Founded in 2003, The Intan is a Peranakan heritage home-museum. The brainchild of antique collector and owner Alvin Yapp, The Intan (meaning 'rose-cut diamond' in Malay) enlightens its guests about the multi-facetted aspects of Peranakan culture through a kaleidoscope of rare historical artefacts, intriguing personal stories, and authentic dining experiences. Located in the heart of Joo Chiat, a traditional Peranakan enclave and Singapore's first heritage town (2011), The Intan offers personalised tours conducted by Alvin, which culminate with authentic Peranakan tea sessions and dinners inspired by his mother. The Intan also doubles up as a unique event space, having hosted a variety of activities that included jewellery exhibitions, art shows and violin recitals. Voted Best Overall Experience in Singapore's inaugural Museum Roundtable Awards, The Intan has been featured internationally on CNN Travel, Discovery Channel and National Geographic. Singapore Travelholic lists The Intan as the top 5 Peranakan activities to do in Singapore. With a vision to promote Peranakan culture beyond Singapore, The Intan's collection has been showcased in places such as Croatia, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Moscow, London and Barcelona.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Address
Neighbourhood: Geylang East
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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.
Popular mentions
4.8
609 reviews
Excellent
498
Very good
95
Average
7
Poor
4
Terrible
5
LisaGordonSimons
Long Jetty, Australia660 contributions
Jul 2023
I was delighted to have had a trip to visit The Intan, arranged by a family member who knows the Joo Chiat area very well. It was a fantastic insight into the Peranakan culture and history.
Alvin is a wonderful host, hilarious, entertaining, enthusiastic and informative..... quite the character. This collection is quite clearly his passion, acquired over many years.
Afterwards, we were treated to morning-tea, a chat and some piano playing (requests granted). I loved the shoe collection (who wouldn't!). Please note that reservations to visit MUST be made; one cannot just turn up. Photography is not permitted upstairs. MTR not so close, but cabs are cheap and plentiful as are buses in terms of transport there.
Alvin is a wonderful host, hilarious, entertaining, enthusiastic and informative..... quite the character. This collection is quite clearly his passion, acquired over many years.
Afterwards, we were treated to morning-tea, a chat and some piano playing (requests granted). I loved the shoe collection (who wouldn't!). Please note that reservations to visit MUST be made; one cannot just turn up. Photography is not permitted upstairs. MTR not so close, but cabs are cheap and plentiful as are buses in terms of transport there.
Written 28 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.
you are always welcome to The intan!
Written 17 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Scribbling G
Singapore675 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
I attended the afternoon tour a fortnight ago, which comes with tea and cakes, and it was a different experience from, say, visiting the Peranakan Museum downtown. Unlike museum tours, the host (Alvin) doesn’t stuff his narration with hard facts and details, rather, he makes the effort to engage, sharing his knowledge about his heritage in a casual but informative way. There’s a lot to see and admire, too, the entire house is full of precious cultural artifacts! Highly recommended for all who are curious about Straits-Born culture. An hour here will also add meaning to all other Peranakan experiences in Singapore.
Written 14 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.
it was such a pleasure hosting you!
Written 14 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I_S_B_L
Singapore, Singapore2,129 contributions
Jul 2023 • Business
As an educator stepping into the house so filled with heritage & culture, it is just so amazing! Hearing the stories of how it came about is totally mind-blowing. I enjoyed listening to Alvin’s story of how he decided to collect the different Peranakan artefacts; to remind him of his heritage. It started as his personal collection to now sharing it with a larger audience. Definitely worth the visit.
Written 7 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.
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience @ The Intan!
Written 10 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Veronica N
2 contributions
Apr 2023
A lovely museum tucked in a quiet row of quaint houses. A warm and wonderful experience awaits you when you enter the door. Your hand instinctively reaches for your phone as you want o capture everything inside - a wide and colorful collection of everything Peranakan imaginable! When Alvin shares how it all began, you are taken back in time and for a while, you forget everything else and just be there in the moment...
Written 17 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.
thank you for your kind review! We appreciate each and every visitor and am glad you enjoyed your visit!
Written 1 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jason N
Los Angeles, CA3 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Alvin who owns this charming museum is just a wonderful human and what an amazing job he has done to curate an incredible collection of Peranakan culture. Wonderful tour of a wonderful group of people that we were not aware of until this visit. And what a surprise ending that you all must see. Wow.
Written 2 April 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.
Thank you for your kind words!
Written 5 May 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jontytan
Singapore, Singapore1 contribution
May 2022
Walking through the front door we were stunned by what we saw as we looked around the open plan home. Alvin himself is a jewel, precious with knowledge, enthusiasm and hospitality. The depth of understanding he has allows every piece in the museum to come alive as he explains the stories behind them.
Written 24 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.
As the owner, founder and curator of The Intan museum, it was a delight sharing with you The Intan journey!
Written 8 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mel
Singapore, Singapore13 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
The tour was a really lovely experience. The stories and history shared by Baba Alvin were very interesting, and I believe both locals and tourists alike will enjoy learning more about the Peranakan culture. The private collection, although not as extensive as your typical museum, is exquisite, and clearly holds a lot of personal and cultural significance in its curation. It is worth noting that The Intan is also Alvin’s private residence, which further speaks to his generosity in sharing this passion project with the rest of us. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, they’re not able to serve tea as part of the tour, but you’ll be able to choose a themed souvenir instead. Nonetheless, we enjoyed the cosy, intimate tour, and thanks Alvin for graciously answering our many questions.
Written 5 December 2021
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.
Sean T
Singapore, Singapore252 contributions
Jul 2020
Had the privilege of being invited by a fellow Peranakan Alvin Yapp to visit The Intan on a sleepy, sunny Saturday morning. I’ve been really curious about The Intan for years, and have always wanted to visit.
The Intan is in a 1950s 2-storey house that is in fact Alvin’s home. It’s an intimate space that is crammed with mostly Peranakan antiques (as well as some pieces that are not Peranakan but were found in some Peranakan homes). It’s a small museum that grown out of a Peranakan’s personal collection, obviously curated with lots of love for the culture, and a deep desire to preserve it. It’s not laid out in the spacious and organized way most museums are, but is almost like the way an eccentric collector would have laid out his hoardings in his own home. Think of it as Alvin allowing you a peek into his world, and it is precious!
The most unique part of the experience is that Alvin himself takes you around The Intan, and painstakingly explains the history of the many Peranakan pieces he has collected over the years. It’s akin to a museum’s owner and curator taking the time to bring you on a after-hour tour of the museum, not just a tour guide. Alvin’s a repository of facts about the Peranakans, and come prepared to ask loads of questions. The most value you can extract out of your time at The Intan, in my opinion, is to engage in deeper conversations about the history of the Peranakans and their culture with Alvin. He’s the consummate storyteller!
The Intan is in a 1950s 2-storey house that is in fact Alvin’s home. It’s an intimate space that is crammed with mostly Peranakan antiques (as well as some pieces that are not Peranakan but were found in some Peranakan homes). It’s a small museum that grown out of a Peranakan’s personal collection, obviously curated with lots of love for the culture, and a deep desire to preserve it. It’s not laid out in the spacious and organized way most museums are, but is almost like the way an eccentric collector would have laid out his hoardings in his own home. Think of it as Alvin allowing you a peek into his world, and it is precious!
The most unique part of the experience is that Alvin himself takes you around The Intan, and painstakingly explains the history of the many Peranakan pieces he has collected over the years. It’s akin to a museum’s owner and curator taking the time to bring you on a after-hour tour of the museum, not just a tour guide. Alvin’s a repository of facts about the Peranakans, and come prepared to ask loads of questions. The most value you can extract out of your time at The Intan, in my opinion, is to engage in deeper conversations about the history of the Peranakans and their culture with Alvin. He’s the consummate storyteller!
Written 5 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.
We are humbled with your review! Even though the visit was a self guided tour with the owner to answer all your questions, i'm glad you found it akin to an exclusive private tour!
Written 6 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cheng
Singapore, Singapore5 contributions
May 2021
Totally enjoyed myself at The Intan. Learnt about the history of the Peranakan culture and got to see beautiful collections of tingkat, baskets, Kebayas, embroidery, paintings, accessories... beaded shoes etc. The host Baba Alvin is an avid story teller and he plays the piano really well too... if you asked nicely, he might oblige you a lovely song at the end of the tour. 😉❤️
Written 10 May 2021
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.
Yey yey yey! Everything Peranakan at The Intan!
Written 5 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Faizal Y
Singapore, Singapore11 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
We visited Singapore's smallest and only lived in museum called the Intan in late January. Visits are by appointments only and the live in owner and guide Alvin showed us around and chatted with us over peranakan snacks. Alvin is an avid collector and passionate about the Peranakan Culture, heritage and history. The museum is self funded and the money he collects for admission actually goes to several children's charities. Its a real gem of a place in the historic area of Joo Chiat so please support this wonderful hidden Gem in Singapore.
Written 11 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.
Yes the owner STILL lives in the museum! As we are only opened by appointments, visitors are most welcome to write to contactus@the-intan.com for bookings. Your visit helps us to continue the work we do, especially for the community!
Written 24 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
the price is same for local and foreigners. For 1 person the cost is $120. For min. 4, the cost is $60 per person
Written 24 May 2017
Hi Alvin, how many days in advance do we need to make the booking? Is there a timing to book and what is the costs per pax?
Written 16 February 2017
For a 2 person visit, the cost is $85 per person
Written 24 May 2017
How to get there using public transport, I am Downtown
Written 17 November 2016
Hi . Bus 33 from the city gets you closest to where we are . You can stop at the tembeling/Joo Chiat place bus stop n its a 7 min walk from there. Paya lebar station is the nearest train station . Ask directions to for Joo Chiat complex n from there it's another 7 mins walk
Pls note tat the museum is open purely by appointments only
Cheers
Written 17 November 2016
Hi alvin we will be visiting singapore later in the year and would love to visit your beautiful museum could you please let us know the cost of entry there will be 4 senior adults visiting thankyou Jude
Written 27 February 2016
Sorry in my delayed replied! It's our very first question on tripadvisor!
The cost for a 4 person visit is $65 per person, with tea and refreshments provided for. The visit will last an hour. Do let us know when you will be coming so that we can make a reservation for you!
Written 7 March 2016
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