Asian Civilisations Museum

Overview

The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) explores the diverse cultures of Asia through art, artefacts, and trade history, housed in the elegant 1865 Empress Place Building on the Singapore River.

Highlights

• Tang Shipwreck Gallery: 60,000+ artefacts from a 9th-century Arab trading vessel discovered in Indonesian waters.
• Trade & Exchange: Fascinating exhibits on the maritime Silk Road and how cultures connected through trade.
• Riverside Setting: The neoclassical building on the Singapore River is one of the city's finest colonial structures.

History

The museum opened in 1997 to explore the ancestral cultures of Singaporeans. Its Empress Place Building was originally government offices and was restored for the museum's 2003 expansion.

Visitor Tips

• Friday Night: Extended hours and special programming on Friday evenings until 9 PM.
• River Walk: The museum's riverside terrace leads to a pleasant walk toward Clarke Quay.
• Duration: 1.5 hours.