Singapore today is known as an ultra-modern metropolis with flashy skyscrapers, luxurious resorts, and thrilling attractions. However, Lion City also has a rich history that spans over 600 years. Behind the glossy veneer lies compelling stories of its strategic role as a port city, wartime struggles, cultural melting pot, and more.
As a history enthusiast visiting Singapore, uncovering these stories by exploring its heritage trails is essential. With curated Singapore tour packages, exploring these historical treasures becomes effortless. From the iconic National Museum to hidden gems like the Baba House, these packages often include guided tours and insider insights to make your visit even more memorable.
Top Historical Places to Visit in Singapore
Here are the top 10 historical sites that bring Singapore’s past alive.
1. National Museum of Singapore
As Singapore’s oldest museum, NMS traces the culture and history of Singapore from ancient Singapura to the present. Spread across two blocks, its latest revamped galleries showcase over 1700 artefacts in interactive formats.
Key highlights:
- Ancient Singapore gallery: 12th-14th century artefacts from its earliest period as a port.
- Colonial history section: The colonial influence of the Portuguese, Dutch and British since the 1500s.
- World War 2 exhibits: Singapore’s fall to the Japanese in 1942 and life under their occupation.
- Post-independence milestones gallery: Singapore’s journey after 1965 as a new nation.
2. Asian Civilisations Museum
Located in the historic Empress Place Building overlooking the Singapore River, ACM explores Asia’s long history and diverse cultures. Its vast collection includes ceramics, textiles, and sculptures from China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Asia.
Key highlights:
- Trade and Exchange Gallery: Showcases Singapore’s cultural diversity resulting from global trade.
- Ancient Religions gallery: Evolution of faiths and religious practices in Asia.
- Ceramics collection: Chinese and Southeast Asian ceramic pieces from the 10th century, from various reigns and kilns.
3. National Gallery Singapore
Housed in the restored historic City Hall and former Supreme Court buildings, the National Gallery Singapore is now Singapore’s most significant visual arts venue.
Spread across 64,000 sq m, it presents the world’s broadest public display of modern Southeast Asian art from Singapore and the region spanning the 19th to 21st century.
Must-see galleries here include:
- Between Declarations and Dreams: It showcases over 450 artworks that capture Singapore’s key historical moments and national identity.
- Siapa Nama Kamu: Traces Singapore’s multicultural landscape through artistic styles.
- Children’s Biennale: Special hands-on installations for kids to discover Singapore’s heritage.
After immersing yourself in the gallery’s rich history, consider extending your cultural journey to another Southeast Asian gem with Bali tour packages, which offer a blend of artistic traditions, ancient temples, and picturesque landscapes.
4. Changi Chapel and Museum
This World War II museum honours the Allied forces who defended Singapore and remembers those who endured hardship when Singapore fell to Japanese forces in 1942.
Key highlights:
- The Changi Chapel: A symbolic replica of the chapel built by POWs during incarceration.
- The Changi Museum: Personal mementoes of POWs, photographs, and a replica of murals secretly painted by Bombardier Stanley Warren during captivity.
- The Changi Chapel and Museum: Itshowcases the infamous Changi Prison site during WWII through photographs, artwork, personal accounts, fictional excerpts, short films, and a sand art reflection pool.
5. Baba House
Returning to Singapore’s nostalgic past at Baba House – one of Singapore’s finest restored Peranakan heritage homes now. Built-in the 1890s, this three-storey shophouse building was the ancestral home of shipping magnate Wee Bin.
Carefully restored to its 1920s-30s architectural grandeur, a complimentary guided tour unveils the rich visual heritage of an affluent Peranakan Chinese family, showcasing a unique blend of Chinese, Malay, and European cultural influences.
6. Battlebox Bunker Museum
Discover the hidden headquarters of the British Malaya Command during WWII at the Battlebox bunker. Buried 9 meters below Fort Canning Hill, this underground facility was a critical emergency operations centre during the war. Interactive museum tours bring history to life with immersive films, authentic war stories, and detailed life-sized replicas.
Key highlights:
- Operations Room: Map displays, telephones, and coded communications equipment the Allies use.
- War stories: Accounts of Lt. Gen Percival, Prime Minister Churchill, Japanese spy Mas Selamat.
- Yamashita’s surrender: Japan’s formal surrender in 1945 marked WWII’s end.
7. The Intan Museum
Step back in time at the Intan Museum, a unique glimpse into Singapore’s history through the passionate curation of private collector Alvin Yapp. Housed in a beautifully preserved 19th-century Peranakan home, this living museum showcases over 5,000 artefacts spanning diverse themes. Handcrafted dioramas, interactive exhibits, and multimedia presentations vividly bring Singapore’s rich heritage to life.
Key highlights:
- Peranakan culture exhibits: Traditional wedding costumes, beadwork, vintage porcelain, and furniture with intricate motifs.
- 1950s Singapore household replicas: Shophouses, old school classrooms, traditional trades in life-sized dioramas.
- Old cinema pop culture paraphernalia: Malay black-and-white film memorabilia, movie posters, tickets, and neon signboards recreating the golden era of Singapore’s film industry.
8. Singapore City Gallery
The Singapore City Gallery explores Singapore’s past, present, and future evolution. Interactive exhibits, artefacts, miniature models, engaging films, and a giant floor mural chronologically showcase how Singapore developed from a small fishing village into an independent cosmopolitan city.
Key highlights:
- Ancient Singapore: A detailed recreation of life in 1299, showcasing the founding of the Kingdom of Singapura as a thriving trade hub through immersive dioramas.
- Founding of Modern Singapore: Raffles’ landing, growth as a British port and World War 2 occupation.
- Future Singapore Gallery showcases the city’s transformation plans and visions as Asia’s leading global city by 2030.
9. Eurasian Heritage Gallery
Learn about Singapore’s small but close-knit Eurasian community and its origins at this heritage centre. Over 130 artefacts in a restored villa showcase the country’s 200 years of Eurasian history. Interactive tours also cover the Portuguese De Souza shipwreck and Dutch wall tile exhibits.
Key highlights:
- Community showcases: Eurasian way of life, iconic landmarks, traditional costumes and food culture.
- Personal mementoes: Family memorabilia donated by local Eurasians, like photographs, recipes, vintage furniture, etc.
- Exile artefacts: Stories of Spanish and Dutch priests exiled to Singapore in the 19th century.
10. Istana Heritage Gallery
Glimpse Singapore’s history as a British colony and the President’s working office today at the Istana Heritage Gallery. Housed in the old Victorian-style Istana Villa, it chronicles the Istana’s history as the official residence of Malaya’s British Governors and the later Presidents through photographs, personal artefacts, and interactive exhibits.
Key highlights:
- The Ratna Room: Showcases precious gifts received by the President from world leaders.
- Istana Memorabilia: Personal artefacts, furniture and state gifts belonging to the prime ministers and presidents who lived here.
- Istana Architecture: The evolution of Istana’s architecture, blending Anglo-Malay and other cultural influences.
Conclusion
When visiting Singapore, don’t miss the opportunity to explore these captivating historical sites. They offer a unique glimpse into the country’s rich heritage and vibrant past, creating an unforgettable journey through time.
Let these stories and landmarks enrich your experience and deepen your appreciation for Singapore’s remarkable history.
