Top 10 Singapore History Attractions
Modern Singapore was founded in the 19th century, thanks to politics, trade and a man known as Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. During this time, the British empire was eyeing a port of call in this region to base its merchant fleet, and to forestall any advance made by the Dutch. The country has many historical attractions that visitors can explore, including the colonial-era buildings in Singapore’s downtown area and the museums dedicated to Singapore’s history and culture. Here’s our top ten selections.
Table of Contents
#1 – National Museum of Singapore
Introduction:
The National Museum of Singapore is the nation’s oldest museum that seeks to inspire with stories of Singapore and the world. Its history dates back to 1849 when it opened on Stamford Road as the Raffles Library and Museum.
About:
With a history dating back to 1887, the National Museum of Singapore is the nation’s oldest museum with a progressive mind. Beneath its 19th-century colonial exterior, it uses cutting-edge technology to present the nation’s legacy and development. Its galleries highlight fresh perspectives of the Singapore story as they take you on an immersive voyage – one where creative storytelling redefines the conventional museum experience.
A cultural and architectural landmark in Singapore, the National Museum hosts innovative activities and events all year round. These include the well-loved Night Festival, visually arresting art installations, as well as performances, and film screenings of different styles and genres. You will also find a wide range of facilities and services such as a resource center which has a growing collection of about 15,000 publications related to cultural studies, design, and Singapore’s history.
Opening Hours:
- Daily 10.00 am to 7.00 pm. Last admission
- 6.15 pm (Glass Rotunda)
- 6.30 pm (All other galleries)
Price of Admission:
- Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (please present Pink or Blue NRIC for scanning) and Children 6 years and below (any nationality) enjoy free admission to all galleries.
- Standard Adult $15 – $33
- Concession Senior (60 years and above) | Student Special | Access3 $10 – $24
Location & Address: 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
Contact: No contact number
Website: Website Link Here
#2 – Asian Civilisations Museum
Introduction:
The Asian Civilisations Museum is an institution that forms a part of the four museums in Singapore, the other three being the Peranakan Museum at Old Tao Nan School, the National Museum of Singapore, and the Singapore Art Museum.
About:
With its mix of races and cultures, Singapore has rightfully earned a reputation for being the cultural melting pot of Asia. To showcase this diverse heritage, the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) takes you on a grand exploration of the people from around the region that have settled on our shores over the past two centuries.
Close up of a clay head sculpture on exhibition
The ACM is the only museum in the region devoted to exploring the artistic heritage of Asia, especially the ancestral cultures of Singaporeans. Founded in 1993, and in its present building by the Singapore River in 2003, the ACM launched two new wings with new galleries in late 2015.
The ACM shines the spotlight on the historical connections between the cultures of Asia, and between Asia and the world. On the ground floor, you’ll find the Trade and the Exchange of Ideas gallery, which is home to artifacts and artworks that tell stories of Singapore’s history as an emporium for global trade.
Famous Tang Shipwreck exhibition at the Khoo Teck Puat gallery
In the ACM’s riverfront wing, resides the Khoo Teck Puat Gallery, where visitors can find the famous Tang Shipwreck collection, a virtual time capsule of treasures from 9th-century China hidden from the world till its discovery in 1998.
Then, head to the Kwek Hong Png Wing to admire the museum’s first contemporary art space, located on the ground floor. The wing’s third floor also houses over 300 magnificent Chinese ceramics from the museum’s collection. Other galleries in the ACM include the Ancient Religions Gallery and the Scholar in Chinese Culture gallery.
Opening Hours:
- Daily 10.00 am – 7.00 PM
- Friday 10.00 am – 9.00 PM
Price of Admission:
- Singaporeans and Permanent Residents – Free
- Persons with disabilities (PWD) and 1 caregiver – Free
- Children (6 years of age and below) – Free
- Students (with valid student pass) – Free
- Adults – $12
Location & Address: 1 Empress Pl, Singapore 179555
Contact: +65 6332 7798
Website: Website Link Here
#3 – National Gallery Singapore
Introduction:
The National Gallery Singapore, often known eponymously as the National Gallery, is a public institution and national museum dedicated to art and culture located in the Civic District of Singapore.
About:
National Gallery Singapore is a leading visual arts institution that oversees the world’s largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian modern art. Situated at the birthplace of modern Singapore, in the heart of the Civic District, the Gallery is housed in two national monuments – City Hall and the former Supreme Court – that have been beautifully restored and transformed into this exciting 64,000-square-metre venue. Reflecting Singapore’s unique heritage and geographical location, the Gallery aims to be a progressive museum that creates dialogues between the art of Singapore, Southeast Asia, and the world to foster and inspire a creative and inclusive society. This is reflected in our collaborative research, education, long-term and special exhibitions, and innovative programming. The Gallery also works with international museums such as Centre Pompidou, Musée d’Orsay, Tate Britain, National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (MOMAT), and National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA), to jointly present Southeast Asian art in the global context, positioning Singapore as a key node in the global visual arts scene.
In 2020, the Gallery was the only museum in Southeast Asia that received a ranking in The Art Newspaper’s annual global survey of attendance at art museums, taking 20th place. It was the first museum in Asia to receive the Children in Museums Award by the European Museum Academy and Hands On! International Association of Children in Museums in 2018. The Gallery also won the awards for “Best Theme Attraction” at TTG Travel Awards 2017, “Best Attraction Experience”, “Breakthrough Contribution to Tourism” and “Best Customer Service (Attractions)” at the prestigious Singapore Tourism Awards in 2016 for its role in adding to the vibrancy of Singapore’s tourism landscape.
Opening Hours:
- Weekdays 10.00 am – 7.00 pm
- Weekends 10.00 am – 7.00 pm
Price of Admission: Uncertain
Location & Address: 71 Bras Basah Rd, Singapore 189555
Contact: +65 6271 7000
Website: Website Link Here
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#4 – Singapore Art Museum
Introduction:
Singapore Art Museum opened in 1996 as the first art museum in Singapore. Also known as SAM, we present contemporary art from a Southeast Asian perspective for artists, art lovers, and the art curious in multiple venues across the island, including a new venue in the historic port area of Tanjong Pagar.
SAM is building one of the world’s most important public collections of Southeast Asian contemporary art, with the aim of connecting the art and the artists to the public and future generations through exhibitions and programs. SAM is working towards a humane and sustainable future by committing to responsible practices within its processes.
About:
The Singapore Art Museum is an art museum is located in the Downtown Core district of Singapore. It is the first fully dedicated contemporary visual arts museum in Singapore with one of the world’s most important public collections by local, Southeast and East Asian artists
Opening Hours: Daily 10.00 am – 7.00 pm
Price of Admission:
- Adults – $10
- Students (with valid student pass) – $6
- Children under 6 – Free
Location & Address: 39 Keppel Rd, #01-02, Singapore 089065
Contact: +65 6697 9730
Website: Website Link Here
#5 – Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
Introduction:
The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum is a museum of natural history at the Kent Ridge Campus of the National University of Singapore. Officially opened on 18 April 2015, it houses the Raffles Natural History Collection. The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum strives to be a leader in Southeast Asian biodiversity – in research, education, and outreach.
About
The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) (Chinese: 李光前自然历史博物馆) is a museum of natural history at the Kent Ridge Campus of the National University of Singapore. Officially opened on 18 April 2015, it houses the Raffles Natural History Collection.
The idea for a natural history collection was first mooted by Sir Stamford Raffles, and the collection of Southeast Asian biodiversity was begun in 1849 at the Raffles Museum (now the National Museum of Singapore). In 1972, the Government of Singapore removed the natural history collections from the National Museum and gave them to the Zoology Department of what was then the University of Singapore. They were housed in various temporary premises, including the Nanyang Technological University for seven years. Subsequently, they were returned to the NUS and housed in the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research. LKCNHM inherited the natural history collections from the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research.
The Museum currently has more than 560,000 catalog lots in its collection and over a million specimens from throughout the region. About 2,000 of these are exhibited in the museum’s galleries.
Opening Hours:
- Daily 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
- Monday closed
Price of Admission:
- SINGAPOREAN/PR RATE
- Adult $16.00
- Child#, Student, NSF, Senior Citizen & Person with Disability $9.00
- STANDARD RATE
- Adult $21.00
- Child#, Student, Senior Citizen $13.00
Location & Address: 2 Conservatory Dr, Singapore 117377
Contact: +65 6601 3333
Website: Website Link Here
#6 – Fort Canning Park
Introduction:
Fort Canning Hill, formerly Government Hill, Singapore Hill, and Bukit Larangan, is a small hill, about 48 meters high, in the southeast portion of the island city-state of Singapore, within the Central Area that forms Singapore’s central business district.
About
Fort Canning Park, an iconic hilltop landmark has witnessed many of Singapore’s historical milestones. The hill once sited the palaces of 14th-century Kings and served as the Headquarters of the Far East Command Centre and British Army Barracks. The decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese on 15 February 1942 was also made on the hill, in the Underground Far East Command Centre, commonly known as Battle Box.
Opening Hours:
- Daily Park lighting hours: 7.00 pm to 7.00 am
Price of Admission: Free
Location & Address: River Valley Rd, Singapore 179037
Contact: 1800 471 7300
Website: Website Link Here
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#7 – Malay Heritage Centre
Introduction:
Istana Kampong Glam, also Istana Kampong Gelam, is a former Malay palace in Singapore. It is located near Masjid Sultan in Kampong Glam. The palace and compounds were refurbished into the Malay Heritage Centre in 2004
About:
Officially opened by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in June 2005, the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) provides wonderful cultural exposure and learning opportunities for visitors of all ages and interests. Situated amidst the Istana Kampong Gelam, Gedung Kuning, and the surrounding Kampong Gelam precinct, the Centre acts as a vital heritage institution for the Malay community in Singapore. Through its exhibits, programs, and activities, the Centre hopes to honor the past while providing a means for present-day expression. The Malay Heritage Centre is presently under the management of the National Heritage Board in partnership with the Malay Heritage Foundation.
Opening Hours:
- Daily 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
- Monday closed
Price of Admission: Free
Location & Address: 85 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198501
Contact: +65 6391 0450
Website: Website Link Here
#8 – War Memorial Park
Introduction:
War Memorial Park is a park in Singapore, located at the junctions of Beach Road, Stamford Road, Nicoll Highway, and Bras Basah Road in the Downtown Core of Singapore’s Central Region next to Esplanade MRT station
About:
War Memorial Park sits on a piece of land that former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew set aside for the building of a memorial in remembrance of all civilian victims who had perished in World War II.
Officially unveiled in 1967, the War Memorial, also fondly referred to as “The Chopsticks”, is a 61-meter-tall memorial comprising four columns to represent each of the four races, joined at the base to signify the unity of all races.
Memorial services are held annually at the park on 15 February.
Opening Hours:
- Daily Park lighting hours: 7.00 pm to 7.00 am
Price of Admission: Free
Location & Address: Nicoll Highway, Stamford Rd, &, 189701
Contact: No contact number
Website: Website Link Here
#9 – The Intan
Introduction:
The Intan is a house museum dedicated to Peranakan culture, with tours & ornate artifacts including pots & jewelry.
About:
VISITS ARE STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENTS Founded in 2003, The Intan is a Peranakan heritage home museum. The brainchild of antique collector and owner Alvin Yapp, The Intan (meaning ‘rose-cut diamond’ in Malay) enlightens its guests about the multi-faceted aspects of Peranakan culture through a kaleidoscope of rare historical artifacts, intriguing personal stories, and authentic dining experiences. Located in the heart of Joo Chiat, a traditional Peranakan enclave and Singapore’s first heritage town (2011), The Intan offers personalized tours conducted by Alvin, which culminate with authentic Peranakan tea sessions and dinners inspired by his mother. The Intan also doubles up as a unique event space, having hosted a variety of activities that included jewelry exhibitions, art shows, and violin recitals. Voted Best Overall Experience in Singapore’s inaugural Museum Roundtable Awards, The Intan has been featured internationally on CNN Travel, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic. Singapore Travelholic lists The Intan as the top 5 Peranakan activities to do in Singapore. With a vision to promote Peranakan culture beyond Singapore, The Intan’s collection has been showcased in places such as Croatia, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Moscow, London, and Barcelona.
Opening Hours:
- Daily 7.00 am – 10.00 pm
Price of Admission:
- Adult $64.20,
- Child (<12 y/o) $32.10
Location & Address: 69 Joo Chiat Terrace, Singapore 427231
Contact: +65 6440 1148
Website: Website Link Here
#10 – Peranakan Museum
Introduction:
The Peranakan Museum is a museum and gallery in the Museum district of Singapore that specializes in the country’s Peranakan culture. It is the sister museum of the Asian Civilisations Museum.
About:
The Armenian Street building was formerly the Tao Nan School built in 1912. It was first converted into Asian Civilisation Museum in 1994, which was then redeveloped into the Peranakan Museum in 2008. The redevelopment was spurred by the immense popularity of the Peranakan display in the old ACM.
Opening Hours:
- Daily 7.00 am – 7.00 pm
Price of Admission: Uncertain
Location & Address: 39 Armenian St, Singapore 179941
Contact: +65 6332 7591
Website: Website Link Here
Have a Place to Recommend?
We need your help! Do you know any other noteworthy places that deserve to be added to this list? If so, do write to us via our email at [email protected]. Tropika Club will do a review of your recommendations and update the list accordingly.
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