Asian Civilizations Museum
1 Empress Place
Tel: 6332-7798
Open: Monday 1-7 pm, Friday –Tuesday 9 am – 7 pm, with Friday extended hours to 9 pm
www.nhb.gov.sg/ACM
GPS: N01°17.215’, E103°51.114’
Housed in a 130 year-old colonial building, the museum’s fine collection spans 5000 years, encompassing Chinese, Khmer, Thai, Indian, Islamic, and other cultures.
Singapore Art Museum 71 Bras Basah Road Tel: 6332-2222 Open: Daily, 10 am – 7 pm www.singart.com GPS: N01°17.828’ ,E103°51.051’ The museum focuses on the emergence of Singaporean artists such as Liu Kang (1911-2004) and Georgette Chen (1906-1993). Do not miss the pan-SE Asian collection upstairs, including the wonderful work of the Indonesian artist Heri Dono.
Raffles Museum 3rd Floor, Raffles Hotel 1 Beach Road Open: Daily 9 am – 5 pm Climb the stairs, past the Von Dutch t-shirt and fanny pack crowd in the courtyard to this wonderful museum, which documents the early days of this landmark hotel. Here, you’ll find old photos (including a delightful one of Abbe Lane, dancing) and artifacts. Among the fascinating documents are those detailing the extensive renovations which saved the hotel from the ravages of time.
Other museums
Changi Chapel and Museum 1000 Upper Changi Road North (Take MRT to the Tana Merah station, then a taxi to the museum, or the MRT to the Simei station, then the #2 bus to the museum) Open Daily 9:30 am – 4:30pm www.changimuseum.com GPS: N01°21.785’, E103°58.462’ An important part of Singapore’s past involves the Japanese occupation years during World War II. The Changi Museum serves as both a memorial to those who died in, as well as those who survived, the occupation. Over 50,000 Allied soldiers and sympathizers were housed here at the former Changi Prison after the fall of Singapore on February 15, 1942. Their stories are told here in artifacts, letters, and photographs, spanning the 3 ½ years of the occupation.
Civil Defence Heritage Gallery 62 Hill Street Open: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm www.scdf.gov.sg GPS: N01°17.506’, E103°50.957’ Housed in the Central Fire Station, you’ll find old fire trucks and equipment. Especially fascinating is the exhibit on the Trapped Person Locator, upstairs at Exhibit 26.
Singapore Philatelic Museum 23-B Coleman Street Open; Monday, 1 pm – 7 pm, Tuesday – Sunday, 9am – 7 pm www.spm.org.sg GPS: N01°17.571’ , E103°50.944’ Postage stamps have been used in Singapore for over 150 years. Here are permanent and changing exhibits relating to the postal world.
