Asian Civilisations Museum: A Museum Of Asian Cultures

The Asian Civilisations Museum or ACM is a museum that presents an integrated yet wide spread picture of significant Asian cultures and civilisations.

The ethnically diverse Singapore recognises ACM as a national museum that falls under the National Heritage Board. It is the first and only museum dedicated towards the region’s many diverse and rich cultures.

It is noteworthy that the forefathers of Singapore came from different Asian nations, during the period of the past 200 years. These descendants brought with them many important and different cultural features making Singapore one of the most ethnically diverse nations in the world. The main focus of the Asian Civilisations Museum is the above mentioned history and the different cultural artefacts from China, South Asia, Southeast Asia and West Asia.

ACM was first located at Armenian Street, and was opened for public viewing by the then Deputy PM Lee Hsien Loong in the year of 1997. The majority of this museum’s galleries showcased unique Chinese civilisation. By the latter part of 2005, the building that housed the museum at Armenian Street closed up and was reopened as a Peranakan Museum in 2008 and was managed totally by the Asian Civilisations Museum.

However, occupying more than 14,000 square metres, the flagship of the ACM opened up in 2003 at Empress Place. This fine Empress Place museum boasts of 11 well appointed galleries and its extensive collection features more than 1300 artefacts.

The rich Asian civilisations have been presented in a new and exciting way throughout the 11 galleries at ACM. The Singapore River Gallery is a site that should not be missed since it offers the visitor the chance to discover the lives and livelihoods of the early settlers along the banks of the river. Important exhibitions at this fascinating and vibrant museum also include Fantastic Creatures and The Kangxi Emperor which is also known as the Treasures from the Forbidden City.

Those who visit the museum can enjoy special guided tours, themed tours, tours for groups, ACM highlights tours or even the ACM permanent collection tours. These tours are also arranged in different languages.

The best way to explore and discover the many wonders of different Asian cultures at ACM is to stay at any of the nearby Singapore hotels such as M Hotel Singapore.