Attraction
Gardens by the Bay
A 105-hectare waterfront garden at Marina Bay, known for its Supertree Grove, two vast glass conservatories and a free evening light show.
Asian Civilisations Museum
A riverside museum in the restored Empress Place Building tracing Asia's trading cultures, including the 9th-century Tang Shipwreck cargo.
At a glance
- Type
- Museum of Asian art and culture
- Area
- Civic District, Singapore
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- nhb.gov.sg
- Last checked
- October 23, 2026
Good to know
- Late opening on Fridays
- Riverside location
Why we recommend it
Set in the colonial-era Empress Place Building at the mouth of the Singapore River, the Asian Civilisations Museum explores how trade connected cultures across Asia. Its standout is the Khoo Teck Puat Gallery, which permanently displays the cargo of the Tang Shipwreck, a 9th-century vessel found off Belitung Island with more than 60,000 Tang dynasty ceramics plus gold and silver pieces.
The galleries on religion, ceramics and textiles reward a slow visit, and the riverside setting makes it easy to combine with a walk along Boat Quay or the Merlion. On Fridays the museum stays open until 9pm, a good choice if you prefer quieter galleries. Raffles Place MRT is around ten minutes away on foot.
Reviewed by Lifestylemetro · Details checked October 23, 2026
Asian Civilisations Museum FAQs
Is the museum open late?
Yes, on Fridays it is open until 9pm; on other days it is open 10am to 7pm.
What is the Tang Shipwreck?
A 9th-century trading ship discovered in 1998 off Belitung, Indonesia; its cargo is displayed in the Khoo Teck Puat Gallery.