20 best museums in Singapore – list, prices 2021, opening hours, map

Museums in Singapore are unique sights to visit. What is the opinion of the tourist about this country? Festivals, entertainment and, perhaps, everything. But the independent state has a rich history, which it carefully preserves. And invites everyone to get to know 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 exposition. It's a pity! It tells about the tragic events of World War II. The bunker was built by British military engineers in 1936. Main purpose: a room 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 necessary (for that period of time) communications are provided. But it immediately became clear: the bunker is absolutely inconvenient.

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

All the characters involved in sad events are fashioned from them. The guide talks about the past tense in English, but the installation itself is quite visual. After the tour ends, tourists can walk through all 26 rooms of the bunker. On the eve of February 18, 1942, all visitors are given a commemorative badge with a tragic date stamped on it. 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 most extensive in Singapore. It was founded by businessman and collector Alvin Yapp. He himself meets guests and conducts tours in English. The purpose of the exposition is to preserve and demonstrate the heritage of the Pernanakan people. Peranakanes are the descendants of all men (of any nationality) who arrived in Singapore and local women. It turned out quite a 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.

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Museum of Science and Art

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

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

All the achievements of science and art are divided into themes and bizarrely combined with each other. Both real exhibits and interactive ones are presented. It is important to remember: all tours 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 second birth. 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 exhibited artifacts.

Here you can see:

1. Exhibits telling about the history of the country.
2. National costumes.
3. The spices that make Singapore dishes special.
4. Costumes for opera singers.
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. In these galleries you can see the creations of contemporary Asian sculptors and artists. The complex is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm.

Asian Civilizations Museum

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

The exhibition contains 11 galleries, each of which is dedicated to a specific region of Asia. Particularly 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 before the exposition of jewelry.
3. Malay. The embellished human skulls evoke awe. It is believed that without such an object, the path to the afterlife will not be easy.
4. Chinese. Porcelain products and jewelry are presented here.

Please note that the tours are conducted in English. It is noteworthy that all halls 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 exposition was extended until 9 pm.

Peranakan Museum

In general, Peranakans are the descendants of male immigrants of any nationality and Malaysian women. But in this center, the emphasis is on men, immigrants from China. The most famous Peranakan, Lee Kuan Yew, who once served as Prime Minister of Singapore, is dedicated to a separate exposition. Once (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 traditions of the Peranakans.

The halls of the complex present everything that the descendants of the settlers used:

The exposition is complemented by interactive layouts that tell about the customs and traditions of the Peranakans. Guests are invited to watch the wedding ceremony, which lasts for 12 days. For clarity, the exposition is presented by topic: a special gallery is allocated for each:

You can get acquainted with the exhibition quickly enough. But after visiting the center, it is worth going to a cafe and tasting traditional Peranakan dishes. And finally, buy handmade souvenirs in a local shop. Waiting for guests every day from 10 am to 7 pm. On Friday the complex closes at 9 pm.

Museum of Art

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

The expositions of the center are divided into permanent and thematic. In the program purchased at the main entrance, all this is painted. The administration of the complex monitors the updating of exhibitions: visitors should be interested. Open from 10 am to 7 pm every day. But on Friday from 6 pm to 9 pm it can be visited for free.

Red Dot Design Museum

In 1955, the nomination “Industrial Design” was established. Asia (including Singapore) is a rapidly developing region in this direction. It is quite natural that a permanent exposition has been created in Singapore. There are two such exhibitions all over the world: the second one is located in Germany. The building itself is impossible to miss: it is painted in deep red. And inside there is nothing.

In the halls you can admire:

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

Naval Museum

This exposition 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 in a special pool that mimics the ocean.
Special stands display ship's weapons, regulatory documents, ship's logs and personal belongings of sailors and officers. On the site in front of the building are life-sized cannons. You can visit the complex daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Entrance is free for all categories of tourists.

MINT Toy Museum

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

The stands feature 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 invites 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. Here, all exhibits are 3D paintings. And the most interesting thing is that you can not only examine them, but also touch them. In this center you can get the most unexpected photos. Moreover, the more unusual the pose, the more interesting the picture.

Topics offered are varied:

Visiting the exhibition is a great way to spend time for those who like to take pictures and be photographed. 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 collection of stamps is exhibited was built at the beginning of the 20th century. At first it housed a school, and then a library. But at the end of the 20th century, the Singapore government decided to place a philatelic exhibition in the house.

The permanent exhibition consists of 3 sections:

1. period of British colonial rule. At this time there was an extensive correspondence with the employees of the East India Company. Here are the stamps of 1826-1946.
2. period of the free state. Here are both ordinary and rare specimens.
3. The period of the modern country.

The administration of the center arranges thematic exhibitions. In addition, private collectors present their collections of stamps 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 welcomes guests on all days except Mondays, from half past ten in the morning until 7 pm. And on Monday – from one o'clock in the afternoon to 7 o'clock in the evening.

House-Museum of the Peranakans “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 working recently: in 2008. And the house itself was built for the Peranakan family in 1928. The style of the building is called so: peranakan. The building belonged to a wealthy Peranakan family for almost a century, so its appearance and interiors have been fully 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 view all 3 floors of the building:

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 immediately in two adjacent buildings: 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 state half a billion US dollars. But now visitors can enjoy a rich collection of paintings. The gallery collected works of art from the 19th and 20th centuries. The authors are both artists from Singapore and other countries.

Guests are invited to admire the canvases:

The main purpose of the exposition is to tell about the features of the 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. There are separate galleries for research. Here, art critics from all over the world are working to study the works of original painters. You can visit the gallery from Sunday to Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm, on Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm.

Changi Chapel and Museum

This is one of the saddest expositions in the country. It is located in the east of the city. Between 1942 and 1945 (the occupation of Singapore during World War II), 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. On display are personal belongings of Singapore residents taken prisoner by the Japanese military. In total, more than 50,000 people languished in the dungeons. The chapel is a small open gazebo with the crucifixion of Christ inside. It is part of the complex. It is proposed to view the exposition at half past ten in the morning until 5 pm. Entrance by voluntary donation.

Wax Museum Madame Tussauds

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 decorated with flashes and spotlights. The Sports section presents famous athletes with their equipment: balls, tennis rackets. And in the A-List Party section, guests are greeted by music and dazzling lights. All figures look like 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 entire 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 daily from 10 am to 6 pm.

Temple and Museum of the Shrine of the Tooth Relic

The complex is made 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 found 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 stupa with a tooth. The monk did not tell anyone about the magical find. But in 2002, he handed over the cancer to the Singapore authorities. Believers claim that the shrine rewards those who touch it with great 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 also invited to admire the shrine made of pure gold with precious stones. The temple is comfortable: it has elevators to lift guests to the 2nd-4th floors. The interiors are richly decorated; visitors belonging to other faiths are full of bright colors in the eyes. The complex has a cinema hall, a vegetarian dining room, a room for conversations with the rector. 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 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. Halls where prehistoric animals are exhibited are popular with guests.

Here they study the development of living organisms on the planet. And anatomy lovers are attracted by models of human organs. It is interesting to find yourself inside the stomach and look at its work! And tired of new experiences, you can sit in a cozy cafe and try 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 that time, the fort was well equipped with cannons. The garrison held the Keppel Strait in complete control. At the beginning of the 20th 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 period, there was a military prison for Australians and British. Again, the fortress returned to the already free Singapore in 1967. In the late 80s, Siloso was reconstructed and turned into an open-air museum. But Singaporeans honor the memory of the dead, mourning ceremonies are held in this holy place. You can visit the exposition at Siloso Fort every day from 10 am to 6 pm. It will be interesting for both adults and children.

Museum of Singapore History and Culture

This exposition is ideal for those who come to Singapore for the first time. Unusual presentation of information, vivid presentations and no boredom – all this helps to quickly get to know and then fall in love with this amazing country. It is noteworthy that in the center of the installation 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 about the first settlers and the English colonization.
2. In Surrender, guests are invited to look through the most dramatic pages of the country's life – the Japanese occupation of 1942-1945.
3. At the Festivals, visitors learn about traditional Indian and Chinese holidays.

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

Museums of Singapore on the map