Category

Museum

Duration

2 - 3 Hours

M-Ticket

Accepted

Accepts

Donations

Parking

Available

Water

Available

Audio

Guide

Tour

Guide

Couple

Friendly

Baby

Friendly

Wi-Fi

Available

Restroom

Available

Lounge

Available

GiftShop

Available

MedKit

Available

CCTV

Available

Security

Available

Dustbin

Available

Entry

FREE

Adult

FREE

Child

FREE

Overview

The Changi Museum is a museum dedicated to Singapore's history during the Second World War. The Changi Museum was relocated to its new home on 15 February 2001 and was officially opened by our Trade and Industry Minister BG George Yeo. This date was also chosen to coincide with the 59th Anniversary of the fall of Singapore to the Japanese in 1942. The new Changi Museum replaces the Old Changi Prison Chapel and Museum (built-in 1988) that was relocated to its current site to make way for the expansion of Changi Prison.

In honoring the spirit and commitment of those who rose from the depths of adversity, the Museum inspires future generations to come and deepen their appreciation of the heroic and inspirational stories that unfolded in Changi during the war. The Changi Museum is dedicated to all those who lived and died in Singapore, in particular, the Changi area, during the dark years of World War II.

Through documentation of significant events of the Japanese Occupation, the Museum also serves as an important educational institution and resource center. As for the Prisoners-of-War (POWs) and their families, it is a site that allows for closure of the many emotional scars inflicted by the war years.

Museum Exhibits

Zone 1: Storyboards

Just behind the reception area, stands the mural entitled “Two Malaria with a Cholera” displayed in the Museum, drawn by Ray Parkin of his experience working along the Death Railway.

This area also includes a detailed map on the Japanese expansion into Southeast Asia and also a remembrance wall that recognizes the various units that defended Singapore before the Fall.

Further down the Museum will be the storyboard displays. There are also showcases containing tools, materials and personal belongings of POWs and other artifacts related or used during World War II. The items displayed in the showcases are donated from organizations, POWs and their families, as well as other visitors.

The storyboards will tell the visitors what happened during the war. It also showcases quotes from POWs, locals and war veterans. These quotes tell us about their experiences in war and what life was like during the war.

Artifacts such as personal belongings of the POWs and army uniforms; that of the Japanese and Australians are on display in the museum. These artifacts were largely acquired from POWs and their families, war veterans, organizations, and guests.

Zone 2: Changi Prison Section

This section covers life in Changi Prison before, during and after the Second World War. It helps visitors understand the restrained prison life especially during the Second World War where 4 prisoners were squeezed into each cell of the Changi Gaol (before it was renamed to Changi Prison)

Zone 3: Changi Murals

The Changi Murals were drawn by Bombardier Stanley Warren, who was incarcerated by the Japanese. Stanley Warren began painting the murals as his appreciation to God for keeping him alive. These were painted in a small room at Block 151 Roberts Barracks, also known as St. Luke’s Chapel, which was located just beneath the dysentery ward where Stanley Warren was recovering.

Zone 4: Wartime Artists

During the war, many prisoners and civilian internees alike recorded their experiences through drawings and paintings. The museum displays several paintings and drawings that depict life during WWII. Part of our collection includes 17 original paintings by civilian internee, Mary Angela Bateman which the museum acquired from a private collector. This collection is on display at our Wartime Artists section.

The section mainly recognizes the ingenuity of many of the POWs and civilian internees who were incarcerated in Changi during the Second World War. Their ingenuity was not only shown through art but also making of useful items like ashtrays, made from simple materials, which are on display here.

Zone 5: End of War

The Museum has included a new section called “End of War” read up the timeline of events that led up to the war. Also in this section, the museum has displayed an original 15th Century Samurai sword that was surrendered by a Japanese General.

 This zone includes one more section called “We Remember” where inspiring stories of bravery, sacrifice, perseverance, and camaraderie, are on display for visitors to read and learn about. These stories include stories of many war personalities (eg. Choy Khoon Heng and Elizabeth Choy, Corporal Rodney E. Breavington, Mamuro Shinozaki) and secret missions like Operation Jaywick and Rimau.

The Museum also houses plaques, pennants, and badges to commemorate the bravery of the various individuals, groups and regiments who had served and died defending Singapore. Some of these also include soldiers, officers and military officials of Singapore, Australian, American, British and others who fought bravely during the war.

Changi Chapel

This chapel is dedicated to the memory of all POWs and internees who were incarcerated in the area of Changi, from 1942 to 1945. It is a symbolic representation of the many chapels that were built by POWs in Changi.

The chapel was hand-built using Tembusu wood as the main material of the Chapel. This replica was formerly located beside the Changi Prison and was later transferred and re-consecrated in its current location in February 2001. In the Chapel, stands the altar which holds the Changi Cross. This cross was fashioned out of a spent artillery shell. It is one of the many tributes that marks the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the POWs incarcerated in Singapore during the Japanese Occupation. The cross was made by Sgt. Harry Stogden who never made it home and is one of the few original items in the Museum.

Free Tours

Created by Singapore History Consultants Pte Ltd and Journeys Pte Ltd, this coach tour is dedicated to the memory of all who fought and suffered during the dark years of WWII. Changi WWII™ Life, Death, and Remembrance (Wed & Sat) relates the story of the Defence and Fall of Singapore during WWII and is dedicated to the memory of all who fought and suffered during those dark years of captivity.

Turn back the clock in Changi, once the site of many prisoner-of-war camps during the Japanese Occupation, the nexus of much pain and suffering, where life lay on a knife’s edge. It is said that more Australian PoWs perished from incarceration than in battle itself. Then, take in the solemn sights of Kranji War Cemetery, the final resting place of thousands who perished in Malaya and Singapore. Hear their stories of bravery and commitment, and be inspired by the power of the human spirit. Finally, contemplate the Cenotaph, a war memorial which is an oasis of peace amidst the bustle of the Central Business District. See the battle scars of history frozen in time even as the city-state races into the 21st century.

For more details and inquiries on bookings, please contact us at (65) 6325 1631 (discover@journeys.com.sg).

Customized Tour

Special tours to the Changi Museum and other heritage locations in Singapore, including provisions for meals and transport, can be arranged for various organizations, schools, and private groups.  If you are from schools and MINDEF units, please download and fill in Singapore History Consultants’ Customised Tour Form and send it to tourenquiries@shc.com.sg. If you are from other organizations, companies and private groups, please download and fill in Journeys’ Customised Tour Form and send it to discover@journeys.com.sg.

Know Before you go

• Admission to the Changi Museum is free.
•  definitely take the audio tour SGD 8. really gives you a great knowledge the audio guide is only available in ENGLISH. 
• Changi Museum is very close to Changi Airport. If you are taking MRT from the airport then alight at Tanah Merah MRT station. Ask, Passenger service officer which way to exit as you need to take a bus to reach the Museum. There is NO MRT station directly to the museum.
• no photography is allowed inside Changi Museum

Getting There By MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and Bus

• SBS Bus No. 2 from Tanah Merah MRT Station (EW4), or
• SBS Bus No. 29 from Tampines MRT Station (EW2)

Alight at the bus stop at the Changi Museum (after Changi Women’s Prison / opposite Changi Heights condominium)

Things to carry

ID Card

Sunglasses

Cap

Medicine

Sunscreen

Power Bank

Things not allowed

Camera

Alcohol

Weapons

Pets

Skates

Smoking

Plastic Bag

Operational Hours

January to December

Redemption Process

• Upon completing your reservation, anticipate receiving a comprehensive email and SMS containing booking details. Present your SMS or booking confirmation email at the reception counter during check-in.
• Access your booking information easily by logging into your account on Explorebees.com and navigating to the "Active Bookings" page in the dashboard.

Environmental Note: In the spirit of environmental consciousness, please refrain from printing unless explicitly specified. Let's be mindful of our impact— trees have feelings too!

Cancellation Policy

• No refund if cancelled : We know plans can change, and we're here to help. Unfortunately, no refunds are available once a booking is confirmed. Your reservation is final, and modifications or reschedules can't be accommodated. In case of cancellation, a 100% cancellation fee will apply.
• Unforeseen Circumstances : This activity requires good weather. In cases of unforeseen weather conditions or government restrictions leading this activity cancellations, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
• Refund Process : Refunds will be credited to the original booking payment source within 10 business days, and cash refunds will not be issued

Learn more about cancellations

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