A superb, underrated museum by the Singapore River tracing pan-Asian trade, art, and faith, including the Tang Shipwreck treasures. Free for Singaporeans and PRs; tourists pay around S$25 for special exhibitions. Open daily 10am-7pm, Fridays until 9pm with free entry 6-9pm on Fridays for everyone.
Key facts
| Hours | Sat-Thu 10:00am-7:00pm (last entry 6:30pm) Fri 10:00am-9:00pm (free admission 6:00pm-9:00pm for all) |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Raffles Place MRT (EW14/NS26) ~7 min walk, or Clarke Quay/City Hall |
| Time needed | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Best time to go | Friday evening for free entry and later hours |
| Last verified | July 15, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.0/10- Value8.5
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.3
- excellence8.0
- Crowd level8.0
- Authenticity8.0
- Accessibility8.5
Frequently asked questions
- Is it good for kids?
- It is more adult-oriented than hands-on, but older children curious about history and art will find plenty, and the museum runs family programmes. Younger kids may tire quickly. The riverside setting is a nice reward afterward.
- What's the highlight of the collection?
- The Tang Shipwreck gallery, displaying 9th-century treasures recovered from an Arab dhow that sank off Indonesia, is a genuine world-class draw. Beyond that, the museum excels at showing how trade linked Asian cultures, religions, and craft. The riverside faith and materials galleries are standouts.
- Is the Asian Civilisations Museum free?
- Permanent galleries are free for Singapore citizens and PRs year-round. Tourists pay for admission, roughly S$25 for special exhibitions, though the permanent-collection entry is modest. On Friday evenings from 6-9pm admission is free for everyone.
- How long should I spend there?
- About 1.5-2.5 hours suits most visitors to cover the permanent galleries thoughtfully. Add time if a special exhibition interests you. It is compact and well-curated, so you will not feel rushed in an afternoon.
- How do I get there?
- It sits at Empress Place by the Singapore River, about a 7-minute walk from Raffles Place MRT, and is also close to City Hall and Clarke Quay stations. The riverside location makes it easy to combine with a walk. Buses along the river also stop nearby.
- How does it compare to the National Museum?
- The National Museum tells Singapore's own story, while the ACM takes a broader pan-Asian view of the region's civilisations and their interconnections through trade. If you have time for both, they complement each other well. If you pick one for regional context, choose ACM.
- What's nearby?
- You are steps from the Singapore River, Boat Quay and Clarke Quay dining, the Victoria Theatre, and a short walk from the National Gallery and the Merlion. It slots perfectly into a Civic District art-and-history day. Grab lunch riverside between museums.
- What are the museum's opening hours?
- It opens daily 10am to 7pm, with extended hours until 9pm on Fridays. Last admission to galleries is 30 minutes before closing. Plan to arrive by 6pm on a normal day to see everything unhurried.
Nearby in Ask Singapore
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Where to stay near Asian Civilisations Museum
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