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A Guide to the Asian Civilizations Museum: Getting Lost in Asia for a Day
Singapore has an abundance of museums and galleries, and if I were to pick which one is my absolute favorite, it would have to be the Asian Civilizations Museum (ACM). (I’m so sorry to the National Museum and the National Gallery!)
The primary reason why I prefer the ACM is simple: it specializes in Asian history, which is my passion subject. How can I not be in awe when I see magnificent dragon statues or ornate ceramics that are hundreds of years old?
If you’re planning to check out this museum during your Singapore trip, this guide has you covered.
Things to Know
Address: 1 Empress Pl
Operating Hours:
- Saturday to Thursday—10 am to 7 pm
- Friday—10 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6563327798
How to Get There
By MRT: In my opinion, riding the MRT is the best way to reach ACM. Take either the North-South or East-West Line and alight at the Raffles Place MRT Station. From there, walk to the museum, which should take about five minutes.
By Bus: Ride any of the following bus services: 10, 10e, 57, 70, 75, 100, 107, 128, 130, 131, 162, 167, 196, 196e, 700, 850E, 868, 951E, or 971E. Then, alight at the Fullerton Square bus stop, and walk to the museum.
By Car: You can reach the museum via a road behind the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall. There’s no parking lot here, but there’s one at the basement of the New Parliament House, at Six Battery Road, and One Fullerton across from the Fullerton Hotel.
Admission Fees
Here are the current prices of the tickets:
| For Singaporeans or Permanent Residents | |||
| Ticket Type | Adults | Student/Senior Citizen/Person with a disability (and 1 caregiver) | Child Below 6 Years Old |
| Permanent Galleries Only | Free | ||
| All-Access (Permanent Galleries + Special Exhibitions) | S$12 | Free | |
| For Foreign Residents or Tourists | |||
| All-Access | S$25 | S$20 | Free |
Please keep in mind that these tickets are non-refundable. They’re also not eligible to be sold or exchanged.
Visitor Tips
The museum has a few rules that you need to follow. These are as follows:
- Please maintain silence inside the museum. If you must talk with other people, keep your voice low.
- Please don’t touch any artifacts on open display. These artifacts are old, and there’s a possibility that the oil from your fingers can contaminate and eventually destroy them.
- Food and drinks aren’t allowed inside the museum. Also not allowed are large backpacks, trolleys, and other bulky items.
- You can take photos and videos inside, but please avoid using the flash. You’re also not allowed to use the photos and videos commercially.
What to Expect
A Rich Display of Artifacts
From: acm_sg
The galleries are the main stars of the show at this museum. There’s a specific gallery on every floor, and each has its own distinct theme: Maritime Trade on Level 1, Faith and Belief on Level 2, and Materials and Design on Level 3.
I personally love the Materials and Design Gallery because I love all things fashion, and this gallery definitely puts a spotlight on the evolution of textile arts across Asian countries.
But vibrant clothes aren’t the only things you’ll find in this gallery. There are also ceramics with the most elaborate designs and carved statues that look so real. No matter how many times I come back here, I’m always still in awe of the display.
A Rotating Array of Fun Exhibitions
From: acm_sg
The museum also holds fun exhibitions every now and then. Unlike the galleries, which are permanent, these exhibitions change every few months or so, so I always have something to look forward to.
I like exhibitions that delve deeper into historical connections between two distinct places or two different points in time. For example, I’m a big fan of the Pagoda Odyssey exhibition because it’s about the evolution of pagodas in Shanghai and San Francisco.
There are also many lectures and talks about fashion and jewelry!
Things You Can Do
Guided Tours
From: acm_sg
ACM is such a sprawling space with lots to check out, so you might feel overwhelmed the moment you step inside. Fortunately, you can opt to join a guided tour!
This tour is always led by a volunteer docent who’s knowledgeable about Asian history, so you’ll learn so many things the whole time. Plus, it lasts for about an hour. That’s a long time to soak up as much information as possible!
Tours are available every day in the museum. If you’re interested, you just have to go to the Visitor Services to register to join a tour at your preferred time.
Become a volunteer
From: acm_sg
Do you have a lot of time on your hands and you want to do something meaningful? Then, you might want to join the Friends of Museums (FOG) Singapore and become a volunteer at ACM.
I’m not a volunteer, but one of my friends is, and she keeps talking about how fun it is. For her training, she attends weekly lectures and reads fascinating books about history. She even goes on field trips sometimes!
Once you’re done with the training, you’ll be a certified docent now who can hold tours in the museum. This sounds like a fun time for art history enthusiasts!
Host an event
From: acm_sg
Thinking of a fun event? You might be interested in hosting it at this museum!
This museum has several venues that you can use. You can find an auditorium and foyer, a discovery room, and a demonstration room on the basement level, and these are perfect for lectures, seminars, and stage performances.
On levels 1 and 2, there are spacious rooms that can accommodate all sorts of large gatherings, such as product launches, corporate parties, and weddings.
If you’re interested in hosting an event here, you can send an email to [email protected], addressing Ms. Yanie Tan. You can also call using the number +6569821390 or +6569821302.
Join ACM Online
From: acm_sg
My favorite thing about ACM is that it has a program called ACM Online, which is a collection of educational resources that you can access on the web. Now, I can continue learning more about certain topics even at home!
I recommend trying the virtual tour. There’s one that’s dedicated to the main galleries, so you can gain more insight into key objects on display without having to leave your house. Sometimes, there are other themed tours available, so keep an eye out for them.
Aside from the tours, there are also publications. I love getting the collection highlights books because they dive deeper into the items on display. It’s always fun reading them.
Where to Dine
Privé ACM
From: theprivegroup_sg
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—9 am to 9:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday—9 am to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6567760777
Enjoy casual dining with a fantastic view of the CBD skyline at Privé! I recommend dining here at night because then, the cityscape is aglow and twinkling, which is quite a sight.
The menu is filled with Western dishes imbued with local flavors. I recommend the laksa seafood spaghetti, which tastes as delicious as it sounds. The sauce is tangy with a spicy kick, and the prawns, clams, and squids add a mellow sweetness to the dish.
End your meal with a sticky date pudding. Its rich sweetness with nutty notes is sure to leave you satisfied!
Empress
From: empress_acm
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 3 pm, 6 pm to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6567760777
If you prefer a restaurant with a luxurious atmosphere, then Empress is the place to go.
Since this is a Chinese restaurant, dim sum is the main highlight. I recommend the siew mai, which has chicken and prawns as the filling. The wrapper is springy, and the filling inside is incredibly juicy and savory.
I also recommend you get the Royal Peking Duck. The duck is perfectly roasted, so it looks shiny and crispy. The meat is impossibly tender and rich, and it tastes better when you pair it with the sharpness of scallions.
Where to Shop
Supermama
From: supermamasg
Contact Number: +6596157473
You can’t bring home any of the old artifacts in the museum. But you can buy houseware and other types of souvenirs that are inspired by these artifacts at Supermama, the on-site store. That’s a win if you ask me!
There are many things you can get here. I personally love their Signature Singapore products because they’re always so colorful and depict mundane day-to-day activities that we locals do.
I bought several plates with artistic renditions of local plants, and they’re still the highlight of my dining room.
