Museum visits have always been a great way to learn more about a place and its culture. With the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore, you can explore the country’s rich heritage through its various galleries, each of which showcases different aspects of its history.
In this article, I’ll delve into my experience with the museum and share my impressions on each of the galleries I visited.
Introduction about the Asian Civilisations Museum
The Asian Civilisations Museum is a great place to learn about the cultures and civilisations of Asia. The museum has a wide range of galleries that showcase the different aspects of Asian cultures and civilisations.
The galleries include the Ancient Civilisations Gallery, which showcases the history and culture of Asia; the Southeast Asia Gallery, which focuses on the cultures and civilisations of Southeast Asia; and the China Gallery, which highlights the Chinese civilisation.
There is also a gallery dedicated to Islamic art, as well as a special exhibition space that features rotating exhibitions on various topics related to Asian cultures and civilisations.
Overview of various galleries
There are many galleries at the Asian Civilisations Museum, each with its own focus. The “Early Trade in Asia” gallery explores the early trading relationships between Asia and the rest of the world. The “China Gallery” focuses on the art and culture of China.
The “South-east Asia Gallery” explores the art and culture of South-east Asia. The “West Asia Gallery” focuses on the art and culture of West Asia.
– Marine Trade Gallery
The Marine Trade Gallery at the Asian Civilisations Museum is one of the most unique and fascinating galleries in the museum. It tells the story of Singapore’s rich maritime history and the different cultures that have shaped it.
The gallery starts with a look at Singapore’s early history as a fishing village. It then goes on to show how Singapore became an important trading port in Southeast Asia. The different exhibits showcase the different types of trade that took place here, from spices to porcelain.
One of the highlights of the gallery is the replica of a shipwreck from the 18th century. This shipwreck was discovered off the coast of Singapore and provides a rare glimpse into the life of a sailor during that time period.
The Marine Trade Gallery is a must-see for anyone interested in Singapore’s history or maritime culture. It is a truly unique experience that will give you a new appreciation for this island nation.
– Christian Art Gallery
The Asian Civilisations Museum is home to a wide array of galleries that showcase the rich heritage of Singapore and the surrounding region. One of the most popular galleries is the Christian Art Gallery, which houses a collection of artwork from the early days of Christianity in Asia.
The Christian Art Gallery features a range of artworks from different periods and places, including paintings, sculptures, and textiles. Many of the pieces on display are from the private collection of Dr Robert Law, one of the founders of the museum.
One of the highlights of the gallery is a painting by Italian artist Giovanni Battista Moroni, which depicts St Francis Xavier – one of the most important figures in early Christianity in Asia.
The painting is on loan from the Vatican Museums and is one of only two works by Moroni in Singapore.
Other notable pieces in the gallery include a 17th-century painting from Guangzhou (Canton), China, which shows two Jesuit missionaries with their Chinese converts; a 19th-century painting from Vietnam depicting a scene from the life of St Vincent de Paul; and a carved wooden door from an Armenian church in India.
The Christian Art Gallery provides visitors with a fascinating insight into the history and culture of Christianity in Asia. It is well worth a visit for anyone interested in learning more about this important religion.
– Islamic Art Gallery @ Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore
The Asian Civilisations Museum is home to an impressive collection of Islamic art from across the globe. The gallery features a wide range of artefacts, from intricately carved wooden panels to beautiful ceramics and metalwork.
Visitors can learn about the different styles of Islamic art, as well as the cultural and religious influences that have shaped it. The gallery also highlights the ways in which Islamic art has been adapted and adopted by other cultures.
With its rich collection of Islamic art, the Asian Civilisations Museum provides a fascinating insight into the artistic traditions of this important world culture.
Highlights from the galleries
The Asian Civilisations Museum is one of Singapore’s most popular tourist attractions. Located in the heart of the city, the museum houses a collection of over 1,000 artefacts from across Asia.
The galleries are spread over three floors and cover a wide range of topics, from the history of trade in Asia to the region’s religions and belief systems.
One of the most popular galleries is the Tang Shipwreck Gallery, which contains artefacts recovered from a ship that sank off the coast of Singapore in the 9th century.
Other highlights include the Chinese Ceramics Gallery, which features a collection of over 200 rare and precious ceramic pieces; and the Indian Temple Gallery, which contains a replica of an 11th-century Hindu temple.
Visitors can also explore the museum’s interactive galleries, which offer a hands-on experience of Asian cultures. The Peranakan Gallery lets visitors try on traditional Peranakan costumes and jewellery, while the Chinese Calligraphy Gallery offers visitors the chance to try their hand at writing in Chinese characters.
There is also an ArtLab where children can create their own artworks inspired by Asian cultures.
My personal experiences from visiting the museum
I was absolutely amazed by the different galleries at the Asian Civilisations Museum. I loved how they had so many different exhibits on various aspects of Asian culture and history. I particularly enjoyed the section on Chinese calligraphy and the section on Indian art.
I also found the section on Islamic art to be very interesting. Overall, I had a great time exploring all the different galleries at the museum and I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about Asian cultures and history.
Asian Civilisations Museum – Tickets
Exploring Singapore’s historical and cultural heritage through the Asian Civilisations Museum is a great way to gain insight into the city-state’s past. From traditional Chinese artifacts to contemporary art, there is something for everyone in this vast collection of galleries.
Whether you are looking to learn more about Southeast Asian culture or just want an interesting afternoon out, visiting The Asian Civilisation Museum should be at the top of your list!
- The Asian Civilisations Museum is iconically along the Singapore River. The museum traces its roots to the Raffles Museum, founded in the middle of the 19th century. Asian Civilisations Museum focuses on the many historical connections between cultures and civilisations in Asia, and between Asia and the world.
Singaporean/PR
Student / Senior 7.40$
Foreigner
Adult – 11$/person
Convenient and flexible cancellation up to 24 hours before your pick up date — no questions asked.
Explore the ancient civilisation of Singapore with tickets to its must-see museums and exhibitions. Skip the Line Available. Book Online on Klook.com
Opening Hours – Daytime Admission (Weekend, Eve of PH & PH)
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- Saturday-Thursday: 10:00-19:00
- Friday: 10:00-21:00
- Last admission: 30 minutes before closing
How To Get to Asian Civilisations Museum
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- By bus: The Asian Civilisations Museum is a 2-minute walk from the Fullerton Square bus stop (03011), via bus services 10, 10e, 57, 70, 75, 100, 107, 128, 130, 131, 162, 167, 196, 196e, 700, 850E, 868, 951E, and 971E
- By train: The Asian Civilisations Museum is a 5-minute walk from Raffles Place MRT station (Exit H)
- By car: Drivers can reach the Asian Civilisations Museum via a road behind Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, off Fullerton Road near Anderson Bridge. Public parking is available at the basement car park of the New Parliament House, at Six Battery Road and at One Fullerton across from the Fullerton Hotel
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