The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) is Singapore’s museum of Asian art and culture, set in the handsome Empress Place Building on the bank of the Singapore River. Its galleries follow how trade, faith and craft linked China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Islamic world, which is a fitting theme for a port city like Singapore.
It is an easy, air-conditioned stop between the riverside at Boat Quay and the Marina Bay waterfront, and it makes a good rainy-day plan.
Plan your visit to Asian Civilisations Museum
- Tickets: about S$15 adult (foreign visitors)
- Hours: daily 10am-7pm, Fri to 9pm
- Time needed: 2-3 hours
Some links in this guide are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
History of Asian Civilisations Museum
ACM first opened in 1993 in the Old Tao Nan School on Armenian Street. In 2003 it moved into the restored Empress Place Building, a colonial government building from the 1860s, while the Armenian Street site later became the Peranakan Museum.
A new riverfront wing opened in 2015, including the gallery for the Tang Shipwreck, a 9th-century cargo found off Indonesia that is one of the museum’s best-known collections.
Attractions at Asian Civilisations Museum
- Tang Shipwreck: thousands of Chinese ceramics and gold and silver pieces recovered from a 9th-century Arab-style ship.
- Trade galleries: export ceramics, textiles and luxury goods made for markets across Asia and Europe.
- Faith and belief galleries: Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Christian art from across Asia.
- Materials and design: jewellery, fashion and textiles, and fine decorative arts.
- Special exhibitions: ACM hosts major temporary shows; check the official website for what is on during your visit.
Things to Do at Asian Civilisations Museum
- Start with the Tang Shipwreck: it sets up the museum’s trade story well.
- Join a free guided tour: volunteer docents run regular gallery tours; check the schedule on arrival.
- Visit on a Friday evening: the museum stays open until 9pm, and the river is lovely at dusk.
- Shop for design gifts: the museum store stocks Singapore-made crafts and souvenirs.
- Walk the riverfront: step out to Cavenagh Bridge and the Fullerton area after your visit.
Asian Civilisations Museum – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Opening hours: daily 10am to 7pm, Fridays until 9pm. Admission ends 30 minutes before closing.
- Tickets: general admission is about S$15 for adult foreign visitors, with lower concession prices; special exhibitions may cost extra.
- Free entry: Singapore citizens and permanent residents enter free.
Check the ACM website for current prices and any booking requirements before you go.
Tickets and tours for Asian Civilisations Museum
- Asian Civilisations Museum admission (Klook): general entry to the permanent galleries.
- ACM entry tickets on Tiqets: mobile tickets for the museum.
- National Gallery Singapore + ACM combo (Tiqets): two top museums in the Civic District.
Some links in this guide are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
How Long to Spend at Asian Civilisations Museum
Allow 2 to 3 hours to see the main galleries at a comfortable pace. If there is a special exhibition you want to see, add another hour.
How to Get There
- MRT: Raffles Place station (Exit H) is about a 5-minute walk.
- Bus: the Fullerton Square stop (03011) is about 2 minutes away, served by many routes including 10, 57, 70, 75, 100 and 130.
- Taxi or ride-hailing: drop-off at 1 Empress Place.
- On foot: it is a short walk from Boat Quay, the Fullerton Hotel and Merlion Park.
Arriving at Changi Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel.
Eateries Nearby Asian Civilisations Museum
- Empress: modern Chinese restaurant at the museum with river views.
- Privé ACM: casual café-restaurant at the museum overlooking the river.
- Boat Quay: a row of riverside restaurants and bars a few minutes’ walk away.
- Lau Pa Sat: the historic hawker centre in the CBD, about 10 to 15 minutes on foot.
Other Attractions Nearby Asian Civilisations Museum
- Merlion Park: Singapore’s famous statue with views of Marina Bay Sands.
- Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall: a historic performance venue next door.
- Clarke Quay: riverside dining and nightlife upstream.
- Fort Canning Park: a green hill full of history, about 15 minutes’ walk.
- Supertree Grove: at Gardens by the Bay, across Marina Bay.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Singapore: Hotels around Raffles Place, Boat Quay and the Civic District put you within walking distance of the museum and the river.
- Get a Singapore eSIM before you land, for maps and ride-hailing apps.
The Asian Civilisations Museum tells the story of Asia through trade, faith and craft, with the Tang Shipwreck as its headline treasure. It is compact enough for a half-day and sits right on the Singapore River.
Combine it with a stroll to Merlion Park or an evening at Clarke Quay.
