Uncover Singapore's rich history and culture at the National Museum of Singapore. Immerse yourself in captivating exhibits and interactive displays that showcase the nation's heritage. From ancient artifacts to modern art, this iconic museum offers a comprehensive journey through Singapore's past and present. A must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and travelers seeking to gain insight into the vibrant story of Singapore at the National Museum of Singapore.
Step into the captivating world of the National Museum of Singapore, where history, heritage, and culture come alive. Explore a treasure trove of exhibits, from ancient artifacts to contemporary art, offering a comprehensive journey through Singapore's rich past and dynamic present.
Uncover the nation's history through immersive displays, interactive exhibits, and thought-provoking galleries that showcase Singapore's diverse heritage and transformation. From the majestic Singapore History Gallery to the innovative Singapore Living Galleries, this iconic museum offers a unique and insightful experience for visitors of all ages, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking Singapore tour packages from India.
A must-visit destination for history enthusiasts, art lovers, and travelers seeking to deepen their understanding of Singapore's identity and story. Discover the vibrant and multi-faceted narrative of Singapore at the National Museum of Singapore, a cultural gem at the heart of the city.
Highlights
• Built in 1887, the National Museum of Singapore features a range of ancient and present-day murals, sculptures, paintings, etc.
• It is the country's oldest and largest cultural and architectural landmark.
• It highlights the country's 700 years-long journeys through its remarkable galleries.
• It has more than 1,700 artifacts in its collection that depict the country's rich history.
• Its architecture is another highlight that reflects neo-classical features blended with modern style patterns of glass and metal.
• Spread over 18,400 sq m of exhibition space, it also holds a range of multimedia displays, exciting activities, and several annual festivals.
• A multitude of restaurants and a souvenirs selling giftshop are also present within the premise of the museum.
How To Reach
- By MRT: Reach Bencoolen Station (DT21) on the Downtown Line, or Bras Basah Station (CC02) on the Circle Line or Dhoby Ghaut Station (CC01/NE06/NS24) or City Hall Station (EW13/ NS25) and walk down to reach the museum.
- By Bus: Reach YMCA bus stop by Buses No. 7, 14, 14e, 16, 36, 64, 65, 77, 106, 111, 124, 128, 139, 162, 162m, 167, 171, 174, 174e, 175, 190, 700, 700A, 972 or Singapore Management University (SMU), Stamford Road bus stop by buses no. 7, 14, 14e, 16, 36, 77, 106, 111, 124, 128, 131, 147, 162, 162m, 166, 167, 171, 174, 174e, 175, 190, 700, 700A, 857 and walk towards the museum.
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Best Time To Visit
The best time to explore the National Museum is during the morning hours when the crowd is less. This is the time when there is no hustle and bustle, which further results in a better exploration trip to such places.
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Other Essential Information
Programmes at National Museum of Singapore
1. #Doseofculture: From learning traditional Singaporean recipes from the celebrity chefs, finding out your capabilities and creativity, enjoying the cultural performances of the award-winning groups to get the taste of history through encounters with celebrities or migrants, the #Doseofculture is a unique way to interact and enrich the visitors.
The National Museum of Singapore also organises such programs and has made this available digitally so as to reach a wider audience throughout the world. With #Doseofculture, the museum wants to inspire the audience and visitors through unique ways of learning, relaxing and creativities.
2. Early Learning Resources: The National Museum of Singapore offers the Early Learning Resources Programmes for the kids of ages between 1 to 6 years. In these programmes, kids need to take a set of resource kit at a price of $8/set from the Museum Label shop situated on Level 1 and complete the task by visiting the museum's permanent galleries and spotting the right artefact.
The colourful booklet kits come in different themes and prove to be a great way to introduce preschoolers with numbers, colors, and English alphabets. Now, the museum has also introduced special online resource kits with Wigglepods to make parents and caregivers use the Early Learning Resources at home.
3. Family Fun at the National Museum: The National Museum of Singapore offers many interesting ways to help families discover the rich history of Singapore with their kids and elderly members.
From Lunar celebrations, Christmas Celebrations, Early Learning Resources, March Holidays, June Holidays to many more events, the planner is full of programmes that will certainly make your family time full of fun and excitement.
You can explore the galleries with the interactive Get Curious! Family Guide, or help your kids in spotting artefacts in the Early Learning Resources task, or keep yourself busy through intergenerational workshops and sensory playdates, etc. The choices are plenty and truly enthralling!
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4. A Lighter Side Of History: Another interesting program organized by the National Museum of Singapore, the Lighter Side of History celebrates Singapore’s diverse culture. From heritage, foods, dresses, languages to customs belonging to Singaporeans and different communities living in the country, these programs let the visitors learn about each one of them.
The programs feature a variety of fun-filled and engaging hands-on workshops, lectures, performances, and demonstrations by experts and practitioners. These offer a deep insight into Singaporean history and are suitable for curious visitors to history enthusiasts.
5. #MuseumFromHome: A timeless treasure of online resources and programs, the #MuseumFromHome is developed by the National Museum of Singapore to make families enjoy a range of activities with their kids at home.
These programs require gathering materials available in and around the house to complete the task, engaging in musical and movement activities, or something else.
With mindfulness programs, kids also learn new exercises and breathing techniques, etc. for keeping themselves healthy and fit. Suitable for kids aged between 1 and 10 years, these activities are full of fun and entertainment and enhance the creativity and thinking levels of the kids.
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Restaurants in National Museum of Singapore
1. Flutes: With a promise of fine food, fine wine, and refined ambiance, the Flutes Restaurant serves a variety of contemporary to modern dishes with a twist. Listed at No 27 in Asia’s Best Restaurants List, the restaurant boasts of its culinary delights served in exclusive brunch, lunch, high-tea, and dinner menus.
The restaurant also arranges for corporate meetings, conferences, parties and even assures memorable weddings.
2. Food for Thought: Food for Thought Restaurant serves locally-inspired Southeast Asian food but with a globalized influence. Ranging from pastas, salads, fries, snacks to local main-course dishes, here you can enjoy a variety of multi-cuisine recipes.
For being housed in the heritage ambiance of the National Museum of Singapore, this restaurant provides an impressive and rich backdrop and ambiance for all special events like birthday parties, engagement ceremonies, weddings, or corporate events.
With a seating capacity of 170 guests and customizable services, it is a great location for intimate gatherings.
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Places to Visit near National Museum of Singapore
1. Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum: Located at the National University of Singapore, this is the only natural history museum in the country. The museum is housed in an iconic rock-like building and is home to more than 2,000 specimens and interactive displays, including three real and gigantic sauropod dinosaurs.
It is a one-stop education, research, and exhibition facility offering a range of biodiversity activities in Singapore.
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2. Gardens by the Bay: A paradise for nature lovers and horticulturalists, the Gardens by the Bay amuses the visitors for being an incredible oasis of lush greenery and artistic landscapes. Nestled by the Marina Bay Waterfront, its Flower Dome is one of the World’s Largest Glass Greenhouses.
Flower Fantasy and Cloud Forest cooled conservatories are home to a vast variety of plants and flowers. Whereas, Supertree Grove is an amazing architectural marvel featuring a 50-meter-high observation deck that offers unobstructed views of the magnificent Marina Bay district.
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3. Asian Civilizations Museum: This museum is dedicated to the artistic heritage of Asia and lets the visitors discover the historical connections between different cultures of Asia and the world. Asian Civilisations Museum Tickets can give you the best experience to great collection of artifacts and artworks associated with trade & exchange, the Tang Shipwreck collection, contemporary art pieces, magnificent Chinese ceramics, and much more. Special programs and events are also held here to connect visitors with rich culture and art.
4. Clarke Quay: A bustling nightlife hub, the Clarke Quay is located along the banks of the Singapore River. A historical place, it looks gorgeous with beautiful colonial-era architecture but transforms into a boisterous nightlife destination when it's popular nightclubs come alive.
Earlier, it was the center of commercial enterprise, now it is home to a range of restaurants, bars, entertainment points, and retail shops.
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5. Peranakan Museum: Discover the rich heritage, art, and culture of the Peranakan community at this museum that is specifically dedicated to them. The museum houses the world’s finest collection of Peranakan artifacts, jewelry, furniture, textiles, etc. These are displayed here in ten permanent galleries spread over three floors.
6. Singapore Flyer: Situated in the heart of spectacular downtown Marina Bay, it is Asia's largest giant wheel. With a spin, it takes the passengers up to 165 m or approx. 42 storeys above ground. The experience is not only thrilling but magnificent as you get to see the panoramic views of iconic and historical sights of Singapore.
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Things to Do near National Museum of Singapore
1. Bowling And Ice Skating: Kallang is one of the world-class skating centers and Bowling Alleys located near the National Museum of Singapore, offering real fun and entertainment. Enjoy an unbeatable skating experience at the Kallang Ice World, offering a superior ice surface complete with quality finishes.
The place is perfect for beginners and amateurs as they can learn tips on skating here from professionals. Or, try your hands in bowling at the Kallang Bowl that features 22 competition standard lanes well-equipped with state-of-the-art technology and equipment.
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2. Visit The Intan: Another interesting thing to do near the national museum is to visit the Intan or the Peranakan Museum. The place lets you learn about the history, life, art, and culture of these people, through its collection of artifacts and artworks. A 90-minute tour offers a great insight into the life of the hybrid community and is certainly a thing to learn something new and amazing.
3. Have Fun At Mega Adventure Park: A paradise for thrill-seekers and adventure lovers, this adventure park lets you test your adrenaline. With a variety of crazy rides and slides, you will have plenty of choices to try your hand and feel the thrills. The ambiance, food, and hair-raising activities must not be missed at this park if you are looking for some real fun near the National Museum.
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4. Visit Merlion: Visiting Merlion Park to get a glimpse of the national symbol of Singapore is really rewarding. The half-fish and half-lion statue, protruding water from its mouth, symbolizes Singapore's modest beginning as a fishing village and original name, Singapura or Lion City in Malay. The Merlion statue is 8.6 m tall and weighs 70 tonnes and amazes everyone with its unique appeal and charm.
5. Explore Singapore Art Museum: Get lost in the world of contemporary art at the Singapore Art Museum which showcases a multitude of art forms, including paintings, sculptures, installation arts, and interactive media.
The major part of the museum is dedicated to the temporary exhibits displaying the artwork of Singaporean and Asian artists. The museum also conducts workshops, programs, and tours to make art available to all.
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Tips for Visiting National Museum of Singapore
- Keep at least three hours spare to explore the complete museum
- Opt for a guided tour if you want to get a deep insight into Singaporean history
- Take baby strollers as allowed to all galleries and exhibits
- Keep your camera as personal photography is allowed, but no flash photography, videography, and no use of tripods and selfie sticks
- Switch your mobile phone to silent and also maintain a low tone while talking
- Rent a locker located on Level 2 and deposit your backpacks and bulky items there
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A Voyage of Love and Longing
The permanent exhibition, A Voyage of Love and Longing, enables the visitors to view the 19th century drawings of William Farquahar. The drawings depicting the native flora and fauna of Malay Archipelago present a poetic representation of Singapore's history.
The exhibition is based on the practice of belayar or voyage and recreates the mixed emotions of seafarers that they felt at different points of their sea voyages. Now, several new digital activities are also introduced at this gallery to make it more interactive.
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An Old New World
The An Old New World digital exhibition takes the visitors on an unforgettable journey of Sigaporeans from 1600s to 1819. It displays how Singapore developed from being a home of the East Indies to a successful trading port. You can explore this exhibition; on your own or with a guided tour.
On the guided tours, the curators explain the story through the displayed items in the themes of Knowledge & Power and Seeing the Indigenous. Now, this exhibition has become digital and you can see it from the comforts of your home.
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Growing Up
This exhibition provides an insight into the lives of children that grew up during the 1950s and 1960s in Singapore and witnessed the most turbulent times of the country. It is believed that, however, the times were difficult, still, kids of that era enjoyed their childhood in kampongs, schools, and entertainment.
The exhibition features a range of photographs, artifacts, audio-visual footage, etc. It displays the image of retro Singapore through the visions and aspirations of the post-war period.
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History of the National Museum of Singapore
A 19th-century landscape style mural, it represents the national museum’s rich history and collection. The lower part of the mural features the museum's origin as the Raffles Library and Museum, two gold coins donated by the Temenggong of Johor’s, and its shifting to the Town Hall and then to the Singapore Institution in 1876.
The middle tier features numerous pieces of the museum’s collection, like a stuffed Malayan tiger, etc. A few animals, featured in the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings, are also displayed in this mural.
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Modern Colony
Installed in the 1920s black-and-white background, the Modern Colony exhibition portrays the cosmopolitan scenery of Singapore as a British Crown colony between 1925 and 1935. Providing a peek into the high society of that era, it presents the different roles that women portrayed at that time.
It features a wide range of personal belongings, such as lavishly embroidered cheongsams, beautifully crafted shoes, trinkets, and much more. It features the challenges faced by both affluent Straits-born and migrant Chinese women while proving their modern identities.
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Moving Memories
This exhibition features Yip Yew Chong’s seven life-sized murals that depict different moments, places, sounds, tastes, etc. The murals that are featured in the Moving Memories installation include
- Barber (September 2015)
- Provision Shop (December 2015)
- Kampung (November 2015)
- Coffee Story (December 2016)
- Pasar (April 2016)
- Satay Club & the Kampung Scene from the Thian Hock Keng mural (July 2016 and April 2017)
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Singapore History Gallery
This gallery provides a deep insight into the development of the island from Singapore, a Crown Colony, Syonan-To, and finally to Singapore.
- Singapura (1299 – 1818): This part of the gallery displays the 14th-century thriving port, trading with Siam (Thailand), China, and India.
- Crown Colony (1819 – 1941): It displays how Singapura transforms into a Crown Colony after the setting of a British port by Sir Stamford Raffles and Major William Farquhar.
- Syonan-To (1942 – 1945): It depicts the difficult life of Singaporeans under the Japanese Occupation during World War II.
- Singapore (1945 – present): The artifacts displayed in this part showcase the developments after Singapore’s independence.
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Singapore, Very Old Tree
An amazing exhibition, Very Old Tree illustrates 17 photographs of aged trees present around Singapore. All of these are clicked by the renowned artist Robert Zhao and are true treasures. Each of these pictures highlights a unique story and the importance of trees in Singapore's rich heritage and the life of the natives.
With the changing scenario of modernization, skyscrapers are replacing green spaces, but the significance of these trees can't be overlooked. These old trees are now serving as the living memoirs of Singapore’s bestowed heritage and must be taken care of.
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Surviving Syonan
From displaying the pain of Singaporeans during the Japanese Occupation to the stories and artifacts depicting the testament of bravery, faith, and love this exhibition is all about the dark period of World War II. Although the period was distinguished for living in fear, misfortune, and cruelty, the hope remained.
It glorifies the resilience and resourcefulness of Singaporeans that helped them come out of the situations and prove their valor. Several pictures of those times are displayed in the distinct settings of crumbled walls to make them more appealing and invigorating.
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Wings of a Rich Manoeuvre
A rich representation of local artist Suzann Victor, it amuses the visitors with the swaying chorus of eight kinetic chandeliers. A melodious sound is produced as the chandeliers move with the dramatic mid-air choreography of light and presents a sight to behold and enjoy.
Each chandelier is made up of stainless steel and studded with Swarovski crystals that get accentuated by the LED light. When the light moves these chandeliers, breathtaking aerial calligraphy gets created high above the bridge that links the National Museum’s original 19th-century colonial building and the glass wing.
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National Museum Of Singapore FAQs
What is the National Museum of Singapore best known for?
Dedicated to the rich heritage of Singapore, this museum is known for its impressive architecture and design reflecting a unique blend of neo-classical structure and modern glass finish. The museum houses a number of permanent and temporary exhibits that highlights the different eras of Singapore's history, art, and culture
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What can you see at the National Museum?
Art of the Rehearsal Singapore History Gallery Growing Up History of the National Museum of Singapore Magic and Menace Modern Colony Surviving Syonan Story of the Forest Singapore, Very Old Tree Voices of Singapore Wings of a Rich Manoeuvre And, you will also visit its temporary exhibitions that are held all through the year.
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How to reach the National Museum of Singapore?
Take a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), get off at the National Museum stop, and walk for a few minutes, or take a bus, or drive to the Fort Canning Road which is the parking point for the museum. Or, you can even reach the museum by a hired cab.
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Following, are the best adventurous activities in Singapore that you can book via Thrillophilia:
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