Top 20 museums in Singapore

Singapore's museums are unique attractions to visit. What is the tourist's opinion about this country? Festivals, entertainment and, perhaps, everything. But an independent state has a rich history, which it carefully preserves. And invites everyone to get acquainted with her. And if you have fun, then here you can go to the center and take unique 3D photos. And no one will have such a reminder of a vacation.

Museum Bunker Battle Box

Unfortunately, this is a little-visited exhibition. It's a pity! She talks about the tragic events of World War II. The bunker was built by British military engineers in 1936. Main purpose: premises for the headquarters of the commander of the troops in case of occupation. The structure is located at a depth of 9 m, it has walls 1 m thick. All the necessary (at that time) communications are provided. But it immediately became clear: the bunker is absolutely inconvenient.

The only plus: location within Fort Canning. Therefore, in 1941, the command moved to another location. But in 1942, after the outbreak of hostilities with Japan, British commanders returned to the inconvenient bunker. And it was here that the tragic decision to surrender Singapore was made. He is still considered shameful in Britain. The modern exhibition recreates the situation on the eve of February 18, 1942. For this, wax figures are used.

All the characters participating in sad events are sculpted from them. The guide talks about the past tense in English, but the installation itself is quite descriptive. After the end of the tour, tourists can walk through all 26 rooms of the bunker. On the eve of February 18, 1942, all visitors are presented with a commemorative badge with an embossed tragic date. You can visit the bunker on all days except Saturday, from 9 am to 6 pm.

Intan Museum

This private exhibition is one of the largest in Singapore. It was founded by businessman and collector Alvin Yapp. He himself meets the guests and conducts excursions in English. The purpose of the exhibition is to preserve and demonstrate the heritage of the Pernanakan people. The Peranakans are descendants of all men (of any nationality) and local women who arrived in Singapore. The result is a rather bizarre and diverse mixture of world cultures. The exposition presents household items (clothes, shoes, dishes, furniture). You can visit it any day of the week from 7 am to 10 pm.

Museum of Science and Art

This young exposition (created in 2011) is one of the most visited in the country. Purpose of education: to show visitors that science and art are one. The building itself is very interesting: from a height it resembles palms open in a welcoming gesture. And if you look from the ground, it seems that the lotus flower has bowed to the very ground. There is a pond with live lotuses and fish near the complex. But that's not all. There is a reservoir on the roof that stores rainwater.

Subsequently, it descends with a waterfall (into the pool), and then is pumped upstairs. And windows are cut in the lotus petals, which illuminate the halls and accumulate heat. Thus, constructive solutions save 25% of energy. The exposition is divided into permanent and thematic. The constant consists of parts with conventional names:

• expression
• curiosity
• inspiration

All achievements of science and art are divided into themes and whimsically combined with each other. Both real exhibits and interactive ones are presented. It is important to remember: all excursions are conducted in English, so you should take care of an audio translator. The complex receives visitors every day from 10 am to 7 pm.

National Museum of Singapore

The center was founded in 1849. Then it was part of the Museum of the Singapore Institute. Then the complex changed the building. In 2006, the exposition celebrated its rebirth. The purpose of the exhibition: to tell about the history of Singapore and the Asian region. The building, built in the 19th century, was rebuilt from the inside to obtain a high-quality perception of the artifacts on display.

Here you can see:

1. Exhibits telling about the history of the country.
2. National costumes.
3. The spices that make Singapore special.
4. Opera singers' costumes.
5. The first inventory of the first film companies.

Many artifacts were donated to the complex by private collectors. The administration of the center organizes thematic exhibitions and lectures. These galleries display the creations of contemporary Asian sculptors and painters. The complex is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm.

Museum of Asian Civilizations

This exposition opened to visitors in 1997. Then it was a very small exhibition, where the household items of the Peranakans, the descendants of Chinese men, prevailed. But in 2003, the number of artifacts increased significantly, so the center moved to the former courthouse. And the Peranakan exposition first became a branch, and then an independent complex.

The exhibition houses 11 galleries, each of which is dedicated to a specific region of Asia. Especially interesting:

1. Vietnamese. Here you should pay attention to the statue of the Goddess of Mercy, made of bronze. A separate stand is dedicated to the unique country of Champa, in which the traditions of several peoples have merged.
2. Thai. Tourists stop for a long time in front of the jewelry exhibition.
3. Malay. Decorated human skulls cause shock. It is believed that without such an object, the path to the afterlife will not be easy.
4. Chinese. Here you will find porcelain products and decorations.

Please remember that guided tours are conducted in English. It is noteworthy that all rooms have interactive monitors. With their help, you can listen to the text about the section of interest. Invites guests from 10 am to 7 pm. On Friday, the work of the exposition is extended until 9 pm.

Peranakan Museum

In general, the Peranakans are the descendants of male immigrants of any nationality and Malaysian women. But in this center, the emphasis is on men who come from China. The most famous Peranakan, Lee Kuan Yew, who once served as Prime Minister of Singapore, has a separate exposition. Once upon a time (in 2008) at the Museum of Asian Civilizations as its branch. And today the center is an independent unit representing an in-depth study of the Peranakan traditions.

In the halls of the complex, everything that was used by the descendants of the settlers is presented:

• tableware
• decorations
• interior items
• clothes
• shoes

The exposition is complemented by interactive models telling about the customs and traditions of the Peranakan. Guests are invited to watch the wedding ceremony, which lasts 12 days. For clarity, the exposition is presented by theme: a special gallery is allocated for each:

• origin
• religion
• arts and crafts
• trade
• politics
• school

You can quickly get acquainted with the exhibition. But after visiting the center, you should go to a cafe and taste traditional Peranakan dishes. And finally, buy handmade souvenirs in a local shop. It is waiting for guests every day from 10 am to 7 pm. The complex closes at 9pm on Friday.

Art museum

The center presents a wide variety of works of art. This is modern sculpture, painting, unexpected installations from a variety of improvised means. It's quite interesting to look at all this. It is noteworthy that although the building has only 3 floors, you can get to the desired floor using a comfortable elevator.There are several entrances to the complex. But when entering from the central one, you can get a free map indicating the location of the exhibitions.

The center's expositions are divided into permanent and thematic ones. In the program, purchased at the central entrance, all this is painted. The administration of the complex monitors the renewal of exhibitions: visitors should be interested. Opens from 10 am to 7 pm every day. But on Friday from 6 pm to 9 pm it is free to visit.

Red Dot Design Museum

In 1955, the Industrial Design category was established. Asia (including Singapore) is a rapidly developing region in this direction. It is quite natural that a permanent exhibition was created in Singapore. There are two such exhibitions all over the world: the second is located in Germany. The building itself is impossible to miss: it is painted deep red. And what is inside.

In the halls you can admire:

• pregnancy tests for the blind
• universal shoes (protects feet in rain and dry weather)
• miniature tray in which you can grow vegetables on the windowsill
• cradle for babies in the form of a womb (the baby experiences the same sensations)
• plumbing for people with one working hand

All exhibits not only entertain guests, but are also designed to make people's lives as comfortable as possible. Once a month (Friday), visitors are invited to view a thematic exhibition of artists and designers. She works in the evening, from 5 to 0 o'clock. All exhibits are on sale, and you can enter the gallery free of charge. Open to visitors every day from 11 am to 6 pm. On Friday and Sunday, opening hours are extended to 8pm.

Naval museum

This exhibition was opened in 1965 next to the naval base. The purpose of the exhibition: to tell guests about the history of the Singapore Navy. Here you can see all copies of the ships ever in service with the country. Made to scale, they are located in a special pool that simulates the ocean.
On special stands are presented ship weapons, regulations, ship logs and personal belongings of sailors and officers. Life-size cannons are located on the platform in front of the building. You can visit the complex daily from 10 am to 6 pm. The entrance is free for all categories of tourists.

MINT Toy Museum

This is an interesting private exhibition. Collector Chang Jung Fa collected toys all his life and only at the age of 57 decided to part with them. He commissioned the architects to design a special center where all his toys should be exhibited. And the name literally means: Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys (if translated, it turns out: a moment of fantasy and memories that toys give). And indeed it is.

The stands showcase rare toys made in the 19th century, Chinese dolls, mechanical toys from Germany and Japan, copies of Disney cartoon characters, funny comics. After wandering through the halls and admiring the unique exhibits, you can sit in a cozy cafe or wine bar. A souvenir shop will offer a good selection of modern copies of toys. The center welcomes guests daily from 10 am to 7 pm.

Museum of optical illusions

Arriving on Sentosa Island, it is impossible not to visit this unusual center. All exhibits here are 3D paintings. And the most interesting thing is that they can not only be examined, but also touched. In this center, you can get the most unexpected photographs. Moreover, the more unusual the pose, the more interesting the picture.

The most diverse topics are offered:

• traditional motives of Singapore
• variations on the theme of China
• modern Art

Visiting the exposition is a great way to pass time for photography enthusiasts. And for people interested in modern technologies, a walk through the exhibition is very informative. The center is ready to receive guests every day from 10 am to 9 pm.

Singapore Philatelic Museum

The building where the stamp collection is exhibited was built at the beginning of the 20th century. First, it housed a school, and then a library. But at the end of the twentieth century, the Singapore government decided to place a philatelic exhibition in the house.

The permanent exhibition consists of 3 sections:

1. The period of the colonial rule of England. At this time, there was extensive correspondence with the staff of the East India Company. Here are stamps from 1826-1946.
2. The period of the free state. Both common and rare specimens are presented here.
3. The period of the modern country.

The center administration organizes thematic exhibitions. In addition, private collectors present their stamp collections to the center for display. Lectures are held in the halls, films are shown. And after examining the stamps, you can visit the shop and buy souvenirs in memory of the amazing place in Singapore. The complex accepts guests on all days except Monday, from half past nine in the morning to 7 pm. And on Monday - from 1 pm to 7 pm.

Peranakan house-museum "Baba-House"

It is not surprising that there are several Peranakan museums in Singapore at once: 500,000 representatives of a unique nationality that arose about 4 centuries ago live in the state. This center started operating recently: in 2008. And the house itself was built for the Peranakan family in 1928. The style of the building is called Peranakan. The building belonged to a wealthy Peranakan family for almost a century, so its exterior and interiors have been completely preserved. The last owner of the building donated the house with all the utensils to the state. Before the center opened, it was slightly refurbished. But the changes did not affect the architecture. All, even the smallest, elements are saved.

Now guests are invited to inspect all 3 floors of the building:

• Antique furniture is displayed on the ground floor. It is made of precious wood, inlaid with mother-of-pearl and metal inserts.
• Household items are exhibited on the 2nd floor: clothes, shoes, dishes. The outfits are finished with embroidery and pearls.
• The 3rd floor is allocated for thematic exhibitions. In addition, ethnographic research is conducted here.

To visit Baba House with a guided tour, advance booking is required. The center is ready to receive guests daily from 10 am to 7 pm.

National Gallery

The gallery began to receive visitors recently: since 2015. It is located in two adjacent buildings at once: the city hall and the court. But in order to prepare the premises for the exhibition, it was necessary to carry out restoration work. They cost the government half a billion US dollars. But now visitors can enjoy a rich collection of paintings. The gallery has collected art objects of the 19-20 centuries. The authors are both artists from Singapore and other countries.

Guests are invited to admire the paintings:

• Georgette Chen, Chen Chun Swee, Chen Wen Xi, Chong Su Pieng, Liu Kang. They are citizens of Singapore.
• Raden Saleh, Latif Mohidina, Montiena Boonma, U Ba Nyan, Nguyen Guy Tri, Svei Ken, Fernando Cueto Amorsolo. They are citizens of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines.

The main purpose of the exposition is to tell about the peculiarities of development and formation of Singapore. But the administration regularly holds thematic exhibitions. The purpose of the events: to conduct a dialogue between residents and artists. Galleries for research are allocated separately. Here art critics from all over the world are working on the study of the works of original painters. You can visit the gallery from Sunday to Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm.

Changi Chapel and Museum

This is one of the saddest exhibitions in the country. It is located in the east of the city. In the period from 1942 to 1945 (the occupation of Singapore during the Second World War), this site was a Japanese military prison for captured prisoners. The exhibition is interesting for guests who study history. This is a sad and little-known page.The personal belongings of Singaporeans taken prisoner by the Japanese military are on display. More than 50,000 people languished in dungeons. The chapel is a small open gazebo with the crucifixion of Christ inside. It is part of the complex. It is proposed to inspect the exposition at half past nine in the morning until 5 pm. Entry for a voluntary donation.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

The complex is located on Sentosa Island. The exposition is divided into 8 sections. Each of them features wax figures, which are complemented by appropriate accessories. Thus, the Cinema section is framed with flashes and soffits. The Sports section presents famous athletes with their equipment: balls, tennis rackets. And in the A-List Party section, guests are greeted with music and dazzling lights. All figures appear to be alive.

They can not only be photographed (with a flash too), but also touched. The pictures are simply amazing. And in conclusion, guests are invited to visit the last sector. Here you can see the whole process of making wax figures. But this sight is not entirely pleasant: the eyes, hair and other parts of future characters look too natural. You can visit every day from 10 am to 6 pm.

Temple and Shrine Museum of the Tooth of Buddha

The complex is designed in accordance with the traditions of the Tang Dynasty. It is noteworthy that the temple was built for only one relic - the tooth of the Buddha. The relic was discovered in Myanmar in 1980. On the hill was a huge statue of Buddha, destroyed by time. The abbot of the monastery decided to restore it. He found a mortar with a tooth. The monk did not tell anyone about the magical find. But in 2002 he handed the cancer over to the Singapore authorities. Believers claim that the shrine rewards the person who touches it with tremendous power: a person becomes invincible. The tooth itself cannot be damaged or destroyed.

The relic is kept in a separate room, and only monks can see it. Guests are invited to admire the crayfish made of pure gold with precious stones. The temple is comfortable: it has lifts for lifting guests to 2-4 floors. The interiors are richly decorated, the eyes of visitors belonging to other denominations are full of bright colors. The complex has a cinema room, a vegetarian dining room, a room for conversations with the abbot. You can visit the temple on your own from 7 am to 7 pm. The tour must be booked in advance.

Science Center

The Science Center is an unusual complex. It was created to popularize scientific achievements in various fields. Here you can work in the chemical and physical laboratories, observe celestial bodies through a modern telescope. By the way, the observatory in the center (the only one in the world) is located close to the equator. Therefore, the stars of the southern and northern hemispheres are visible at the same time. The halls where prehistoric animals are exhibited are popular with guests.

The development of living organisms on the planet is studied here. And lovers of anatomy are attracted by the models of human organs. It's interesting to find yourself inside the stomach and see how it works! And tired of new impressions, you can sit in a cozy cafe and taste local cuisine. Open to visitors from 10 am to 6 pm every day.

Fort Siloso

The fortress was built by the British in 1876. This was necessary to protect the island of Sentosa from sea robbers. At the time, the fort was well equipped with cannons. The garrison kept the Keppel Strait in full control. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the British constantly modernized their fortifications in Siloso. But due to a tactical miscalculation (the invaders invaded the colony not from the sea, but from land), in 1942 Fort Siloso was surrendered to the Japanese troops.

During the occupation, it was a military prison for the Australians and the British. Again, the fortress returned to the already free Singapore in 1967. In the late 1980s, Siloso was reconstructed and turned into an open-air museum. But Singaporeans honor the memory of the victims, funeral ceremonies are held in this holy place. You can visit the exposition at Fort Siloso every day from 10 am to 6 pm. It will be interesting for both adults and children.

Museum of History and Culture of Singapore

This exhibit is ideal for first-time visitors to Singapore. Unusual presentation of information, vivid presentations and no boredom - all this helps to quickly learn and then fall in love with this amazing country. It is noteworthy that in the center, installations of ordinary objects and wax figures (life-size) are combined with interactive technologies.

All significant events are divided into 3 parts:

1. The Pioneers of Singapore tells of the early settlers and English colonization.
2. In the Surrender, guests are invited to turn over the most dramatic pages of the country's life - the Japanese occupation of 1942-1945.
3. At the Festivals, visitors will learn about traditional Indian and Chinese festivals.

A separate hall is occupied by the culinary arts of Singapore. The Chinese, Malays and Indians live in a small area. Each nationality has its own cuisine. But the culinary traditions have been closely intertwined for several centuries of the neighborhood, which is why the dishes here are unique. They are prepared in front of visitors and then given to taste. The center is open to visitors from 10 am to 6 pm every day.

Singapore museums on the map