The Peranakan Museum is a museum in Singapore specializing in Peranakan culture. A sister museum to the Asian Civilisations Museum, The Peranakan Museum explores the culture of Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia. Installed in the former Tao Nan Chinese School, built in 1912, this intimate museum possesses one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of Peranakan objects. Galleries on three floors illustrate the cultural traditions and the distinctive visual arts of the Peranakans. The museum is housed in the Old Tao Nan School Building, a significant location as the building also has a rich heritage. The construction of the building began in 1910 and was completed two years later. One of the most charming things about this building is its ‘eclectic classical’ style. Look out for its fluted columns and perfect symmetry which is befitting of its architectural style.
The balconies bring to life a colonial style that compliments the columns. Overall, the building’s layout borrows heavily from bungalows in the Straits Settlements during this era. Initially, the building was meant to provide a space where Chinese lessons were taught alongside practical courses such as drawing, singing, and arithmetic. Over the years the courses at Old Nan changed, but they came to an abrupt end at the start of the Second World War in 1942.
After the war, increased enrolment created the need to move the school and, in 1982, the building was given up to allow exhibitions on different aspects of Chinese Culture. Today, the building houses the colorful Peranakan Museum. For a building with such a rich history, a visit to the museum feels like taking a walk back in time. Look out for the Peranakan artefacts spread across the 10 permanent galleries. Artefacts range from ancient jewellery that Peranakans wore to furniture made and even textile fabric used. In addition to these exhibitions, there are also hands-on exhibits that explore hybrid culture in parts of Asia, combining the best of Indian, Malay and Chinese aspects. Do not miss out on the intricate 12-day Peranakan wedding! Photography without flash and videography are permitted with handheld cameras in the main galleries.
The Peranakan Museum provides a stimulating and educational experience for all while representing the living culture of the Peranakan community in the region. The museum is a component of the Asian Civilisations Museum, operating under the National Heritage Board.
Galleries
INTRODUCTION
Southeast Asia has been one of the crossroads of the world since ancient times. Traders from many lands traveled the maritime routes connecting East Asia with the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, and Europe. Consequently, Many foreign merchants settled in Singapore and other pivotal centers along this route, married local women, and contributed to the development of a vibrant, hybrid culture. "Peranakan" comes from a Malay word Anak (child), which can be loosely translated as "local-born" (as in born here, but not considered native). Chinese Peranakans are the majority, but there are also Peranakan communities of other ethnicities in Southeast Asia, including Arab, Indian, and Eurasian.
WEDDINGS
Explore the many rituals of the traditional Peranakan wedding in these galleries. Learn about the coming of age (Chiu Thau) and exchange of gifts (Lap Chai) ceremonies, and peek inside the wedding chamber. Our extensive collection of Peranakan beadwork — an essential element of the wedding — is displayed here.
PERANAKAN LIFE
The third floor of the Peranakan Museum provides a glimpse into the life of the Peranakan Chinese community. These include topics on language, fashion, religion, food, public life, as well as portraits of significant Peranakan individuals.
GUIDED TOURS
Guided tours listed in the schedule here are free and are conducted by the Museum’s volunteers. Please note that guided tours are not available on public holidays (unless otherwise stated) and during the volunteer guides' annual break from mid-December to early January. For inquiries about private guided tours, please visit our section on Group Bookings.
Amek Gambar: Peranakans and Photography guided tour
Meeting point: Lobby, level 1 |Guided tours last over a duration of 45 minutes to 1 hour, unless otherwise stated.
English tours
No tours on 5 and 6 February 2019, as our docents will be having their Lunar New Year break.
- Tuesdays 12:30 PM
- Saturdays & Sundays 2:00 PM
Peranakan Museum Highlight Tour of Permanent Galleries
- Meeting point: Lobby, level 1
- Guided tours last over a duration of 45 minutes to 1 hour, unless otherwise stated.
English
No tours on 5 and 6 February 2019, as our docents will be having their Lunar New Year break.
- Mondays to Fridays at 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM
- Saturdays 10.30am, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM
- Sundays (excluding 1st Sunday of every month): 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM
- Straits Family Sundays (Every 1st Sunday of the month):11:00 AM
Mandarin | 中文导览
No tours on 2 and 3 February 2019, as our docents will be having their Lunar New Year break.
周六, 周日 11:30am, 2.30pm
Japanese | 日本語ガイド
No tours on 5 and 6 February 2019, as our docents will be having their Lunar New Year break.
月曜日～金曜日 10:30 AM
第3土曜日 1:00 PM
French
2nd Wednesday of the month 10:45 AM
*For further inquiries on free guided tours, please contact the museum front desk at +65 6332 7591, Visitor Services at +65 6332 3275 / 6332 3583 (Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM), or email nhb_pm_vs@nhb.gov.sg.
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Spiritual
Landmark
River and water falls
