One of the three National Museums of Singapore, the Asian Civilizations Museum was opened in 1997. The museum focuses on the civilizations and cultures of Asia with a more specific focus on the histories of South Asia, Southeast Asia, West Asia and China, the regions from which Singapore’s diverse ethnic population have descended from. The museum was originally housed in the Old Tao Nan School building and its location was only changed to its present premises at the Empress Palace Building in 2003.
Among the artefacts in the South Asian collection are sculptures from various periods of Indian history, paintings from both Gandhara and Mathura schools of Buddhist art, and various handicrafts and textiles from India, Tibet and Nepal. Highlights of the Chinese gallery include a set of elegant porcelain Dehua figures, as well as calligraphy and artwork spanning different media. The Southeast Asian collection boasts ceremonial masks, sculptures and art from places such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar.
Opening hours are between 9 am to 7 pm from Tuesday to Sunday (with an extended closing time on Friday). On Mondays the museum is open from 1 pm to 7 pm. Tickets are priced at S$ 6 with special prices for groups. The Asian Civilizations Museum is easily accessible by public transport and is a mere five minute stroll from the Raffles MRT Station. Guided tours are offered throughout the week. One can visit the official website for a schedule of the guided tours and to learn more about the exhibits on at the moment.
A hub for commerce and tourism in Southeast Asia, Singapore offers plenty visitors plenty of things to do. The local infrastructure is excellent with nearly all major attractions easily accessible by public transport. Tourists looking for accommodation should pick a place that is located close to an MRT station. The Heritage Singapore offers terrific Singapore long stay apartments and is located adjacent to the Novena MRT Station. Situated in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District, the apartments are in the vicinity of the MacRitchie Nature Reserve and the popular Orchard Road, shopping region. Offering a variety of options, it is easy to find a Singapore serviced apartment to suit one’s needs.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
