The Asian Civilizations Museum

The weekend’s come around again, and you’ve watched all the movies there is to be watched and trudged down Orchard Road for the millionth time. Well, if you do happen to be milling around city hall, you should definitely make your way down to the Asian Civilisations Museum at 1, Empress Place. Contrary to popular belief, a museum is Not a boring place. It has always been a treat for me to walk down the hallowed halls that is the Asin Civilisations Museum.

So let us get the basics down first.
How to get there: Take the MRT and stop at Raffles Place station. It’s a 5 minute walk from the train station.

The ACM is open everyday. It’s opening hours are as follows:
Mon 1pm- 7pm
Tue-Sun 9am-7pm (to 9pm on Friday)

Admission charges:
Adult: $5.00
Concession: $2.50 (full time students and aged 60 years and above)
Free Admission to children 6 years and below, Monday - Sunday.
Free Admission for Senior Citizens (age 60 years and above) every Monday, with effect from 11 Feb 2008.
Discounted admission (for everyone) every Friday, 7-9pm.

If you are a first time visitor, I would recommend going on the guided tour which would give you a greater insight into the history of the museum and their exhibition galleries. In fact if you’re lucky, your guide might let you on some spooky stories as well as lesser known facts about these great Asian civilisations!
The guided tour is available in English, Mandarin as well as Japanese.
Their timings are as follows;
English
Mon 2 pm
Tue- Fri 11am, 2pm

Mandarin
Sat & Sun 11.30am, 2.30pm, 3.30pm

Japanese
Tue- Fri 10.30am

If you don’t believe in tours and guides, then treading the halls of the museum can be quite an adventure, what with their multitude of galleries and exhibitions going on at the same time. If you’re not sure where to start, a good point of reference would be their special exhibitions. The one currently going on is “On the Nalanda Trail” Buddhism in India, China and Southeast Asia. This exhibition looks at the pivotal role played by Nalanda University (one of the world’s first great universities) in the spread of Buddhism in Asia. In this exhibition, Buddhist art is given special focus with a group of rare sutras and paintings from the famous Dunhuang grottoes along the Silk Road being highlighted.
By special permission of the government of India, the exhibition also features bone relics from the only known archaeological find that can be linked directly to Buddha himself! It is a truly humbling experience.
The Nalanda Trail is on until the 23rd of March and admission is as follows;
Adult: $10.00
Concession: $5.00

So don’t wait, go and check it out now, and you might be surprised how History and Cultures come Alive to spice up your weekend!

Another thing that really sets the Asian Civilisations Museum apart is it’s emphasis on interaction. Their galleries are interactive, with sound booths as well as touch screens that ‘speak’ to you. It all adds up to the experience. You can even engage in calligraphy as well as wayang kulit in their very last gallery. It kind of makes you become more intuned with the cultures of your country as well as that of your neighbours. And even if it doesn’t, it certainly provides you with a great photo op as well as some good times!

Once your walk through the museum is done, you will realize that the afternoon has flown by. What better way to cap a great day then to enjoy the sunset by the Singapore river (which is conveniently located in front of the museum.)
You can then head down to the many eateries along the Singapore River or even to the famous Indochine eatery which is just beside the museum.

With such ambience, company and gorgeous scenery surrounding it, the Asian Civilisations Museum is truly a place where Asian Cultures Come Alive!