Did you realise our local museum scene has some amazing hidden gems? We’ve all probably visited museums such as the National Gallery and the National Museum of Singapore, but there are probably still some museums that you have not yet visited. Here are some of the museums and exhibits we have collated that might pique your interest.
The Air Force Museum
Image Credits: RSAFLearn and experience what it is like to be a pilot at the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Museum. Their hands-on Indoor Gallery features unique interactive exhibitions and role-playing games aids that will teach you the history of the RSAF. This is made possible due to interactive media that is skillfully integrated with real objects like aircraft parts and retired missiles in the museum. What are you waiting for? The spectacular world of flying aircrafts, such as fighter planes and helicopters awaits.
Location: 400 Airport Rd, Singapore 534234
Opening Hours: 8.30am-5.00pm (Mon – Fri) | Pricing: Free Entry
NUS Museum
Over 7,000 relics, treasures and artworks are grouped into four collections at this Asian Art museum. The Lee Kong Chian Collection includes a diverse range of Chinese relics, from ancient to contemporary art while the South and Southeast Asian Collection includes works ranging from Indian classical carvings to contemporary pieces. For the Ng Eng Teng Collection, over 1,000 works were donated by the late Singapore sculptor himself who was also a Cultural Medallion recipient. Lastly, the NUS Baba House plays host to the fourth collection titled the Straits Chinese Collection. All of these will tell the interesting tale of our heritage before we united as one Singapore and we recommend you pay them a visit soon.
Location: 50 Kent Ridge Cres, Singapore 119279
Opening Hours: 10.00am-6.00pm (Tue – Sat) | Pricing: $16 Per Ticket
Chinese Opera Museum
Mr Bian Hui Bin (President of the Singapore Chinese Opera and Drama Society) was raised in mainland China and was introduced to Chinese opera at an early age. He has a passion for the art form since he was a child, and when he moved to Singapore, he wanted to share his passion with Singaporeans and museum visitors alike. The museum, which is tucked away on the second storey of a Kampong Glam shophouse, displays the styles, costumes, and props used by several Chinese opera houses during the olden days. Ornate costumes, historical bites, and pictures of past performances by Chinese opera troupes in the city adorn the walls of this humble museum. This gallery has everything from Cantonese and Teochew opera to Hokkien and Yue opera, and it is a one stop location for everything Chinese opera related.
Location: 50 Kent Ridge Cres, Singapore 119279
Opening Hours: 11.00am-6.00pm (Tue – Fri)
Pricing: Free Entry (Reservation Required: 62923393 or info@singopera.com.sg)
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum
Image Credits: Chinatown SingaporeThe Buddhist Cultural Museum has a variety of exhibits of rare artefacts that explain the history of Buddhism and the many forms practiced in Asian regions. Here you can find the chambers that houses the Sacred Buddha Relics situated on the main level, towards the back of the hall. According to their website, this is where the Brains, Blood, Muscle, and Flesh Relics of Buddha are kept. This is intriguing enough to warrant a visit (for me at least) to see with our own eyes what it looks like. On top of all this, there is also a 15-foot Maitreya Buddha, which stands on the bottom level of the great hall, which is another must-see.
Location: 288 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058840
Opening Hours: 9.00am – 5.0pm (Mon – Fri) | Pricing: Free Entry
Singapore Musical Box Museum
Have you ever been charmed by the tinkling melodies of musical boxes? At Singapore’s musical box museum, learn more about how these fascinating gadgets arrived on our shores. The museum contains vintage artefacts (including gramophones) from Europe and the United States and is located adjacent to the magnificent Thian Hock Keng Temple in Telok Ayer. While we’re accustomed to seeing musical boxes the size of our palms in toy stores, some of the more complex ones can be as big as an adult. Check out their 40mins guided tours available on Klook and be amazed by the technology and craftsmanship of the past.
Location: 168 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068619
Opening Hours: 10.00am – 5.30pm (Wed – Mon)
Pricing: Adult $12 | Student / Senior $6 (Reservation required. No walk-ins allowed)
Singapore’s museum scene is truly worth visiting and we hope that you visit one of these museums this weekend and have a fun filled time learning about our history. If you are looking for more articles like this, do check out the many other posts we have about the things you can on our little red dot.
