Curious about Asian civilisations? Well,
Singapore has a gem that will definitely interest you - its called the Asian
Civilisations Museum.
This museum has
featured some spectacular exhibits which covers Perankan, Chinese and
Indonesian cultures.
If you're a history or a cultural buff,
then you definitely want to place a bit of time to explore this museum,
located in a restored building near the central business district.
1. History
The Asian Civilisations Museum. What can you
tell from its name? Well, it certainly emphasizes exhibits reflecting Asian
cultural heritage. The museum itself is split into two wings. Let me explain ...
2. The First Wing (ACM I)
If you step into the first wing (called ACM I),
you will step into a nice neo-classical building which dates all the way back to
1910. What's in ACM I you say? Well, this wing contains exhibits which showcase
Chinese civilisation and culture.
The Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore
Photo by
StarvingFox Some rights reserved
It also has a great exhibition called the
Peranakan Legacy - which I strongly recommended. What's a Peranakan? Well, if
you didn't know a Peranakan is a group of people who lived in the Straits
Settlements and the Indonesian Archipelago. Some of their rich heritage includes
thins like batik (a prized fabric in Southeast Asia), embroidery and also
beadwork. You will also find very beautiful collections of porcelain and silver.
Note: As of the time of this article, ACM I is closed for renovation. It will
be operational again soon.
3. The Second Wing (ACM II)
Curious to know more? Well, you can step over
to the second wing of the museum, aptly termed 'ACM II'. This wing is situated
at Empress Place and was set up in early 2003 after a lot of renovation work.
You will be treated to very nice cultural
exhibits from India, China and Southeast Asia, including the Islamic Word. What
I like about ACM II is also the up-to-date display and interactive technologies
within the museum. If you're visiting with children, that's so much the better -
many of the exhibits have educational components fully integrated into the
galleries. You can even find a small centre dedicated to younger kids.
From time to time, you will also see various
'blockbuster' exhibitions being held at the Asian Civilisations Museums. One
current exhibition that I know of is called 'Tok Panjang - The Peranakan
Dining Experience'.
This exhibition is simply amazing - you can see
the Tok Panjang (i.e. 'long table') as it was used for formal dining amongst the
Peranakan Chinese. Feasts were laid out on this table on special occasions and
also allowed people to show off the family's wealth. The exhibition also allows
you to view porcelain and silver from the Mariette Collection. Lovely stuff.
4. Admission and Opening
Hours
If you're visiting, then take note of the
following charges:
$5 adults, $2.50 senior citizens / children
(6 - 16 years old).
Discounted admission on Friday nights (from
7.00 pm to 9.00 pm).
You should also take note of the opening hours:
Mon 1.00 pm to 7.00 pm
Tue to Sun 9.00 am to 7.00 pm
Fri 9.00 am to 9.00pm
5. Location
Here are the addresses of ACM I and ACM II in
case you have trouble locating them:
ACM I - 39 Armenian Street Singapore 179941
- Tel: 6332 3015
ACM II - Empress Place, 1 Empress Place
179555 - Tel: 6332 7798
6. How To Get
There?
If you're going to ACM I - you should take the
MRT to the City Hall MRT Station. Next, walk towards Stamford Road and turn into
Armenian Street right at the Stamford House. The museum is diagonally across
from Stamford House.
To get to ACM II - again, start from the City
Hall MRT Station and walk along St Andrew’s Road. Go right past St Andrew’s
Cathedral, City Hall and the Supreme Court. Next, just walk into the Old
Parliament Lane. ACM II will be on your left just after The Arts House.
Conclusion
Well, I hope this article has helped you
understand the Asian Civilisations Museum better. This is a definite must-visit
for all folks interested in Southeast Asian history and culture. Hope to see you
there, and happy holidays!
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