National Gallery Singapore
Quick answer
National Gallery Singapore opened in 2015 inside the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings, unified beneath a sculptural wave-like glass and steel canopy designed by studioMilou and CPG Consultants. Open daily, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Admission: S$20 standard adult admission; free for Singapore citizens and PRs. Allow 2–3 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
National Gallery Singapore at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Daily: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | S$20 standard adult admission; free for Singapore citizens and PRs |
| Free or reduced entry | Free for Singapore citizens and PRs |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings at 10 AM. |
| Getting there | MRT: City Hall or Esplanade (Circle Line) — museum directly above City Hall station |
| Address | 1 Saint Andrew's Road, Singapore 178957 |
| Official website | nationalgallery.sg |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is National Gallery Singapore known for?
National Gallery Singapore opened in 2015 inside the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings, unified beneath a sculptural wave-like glass and steel canopy. It holds the world's largest public collection of modern Southeast Asian and Singapore art.
The DBS Singapore Gallery and UOB Southeast Asia Gallery present 19th- and 20th-century art from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the region. Raden Saleh's Forest Fire, Liu Kang's Life by the River, and Georgette Chen's still lifes are collection anchors.
The former Supreme Court chamber and City Hall's staircase are preserved within the museum. A glass bridge connects the two buildings under the canopy. The rooftop terrace and Aura restaurant offer skyline views over the Padang and Marina Bay.
Singapore citizens and PRs enter free; standard adult admission is S$20 for tourists.
Best for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Architecture enthusiasts
How long do you need at National Gallery Singapore?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at National Gallery Singapore without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Life by the River
📍 DBS Singapore Gallery, Level 2
Liu Kang's batik-influenced scene of kampung life — a foundational work of the Nanyang School and a defining image of Singapore modern art.
- 2
Forest Fire
📍 UOB Southeast Asia Gallery
Raden Saleh's dramatic Javanese lions and tigers fleeing a forest fire — painted in Europe, a masterpiece of 19th-century Southeast Asian art.
- 3
Still Life with Cut Apple and Orange
📍 DBS Singapore Gallery
Georgette Chen's luminous still life — the Shanghai-born, Paris-trained artist who became a pillar of the Nanyang School in Singapore.
- 4
Former Supreme Court Chamber
📍 Supreme Court Wing
The restored courtroom where war-crimes trials were held — preserved within the museum with original furnishings and a history of Singapore's legal system.
What are the must-see works at National Gallery Singapore?
4 highlights that define the collection: Life by the River, Forest Fire, Still Life with Cut Apple and Orange and more.
Life by the River
Liu Kang · 1975
📍 DBS Singapore Gallery, Level 2
Liu Kang's batik-influenced scene of kampung life — a foundational work of the Nanyang School and a defining image of Singapore modern art.
Forest Fire
Raden Saleh · 1849
📍 UOB Southeast Asia Gallery
Raden Saleh's dramatic Javanese lions and tigers fleeing a forest fire — painted in Europe, a masterpiece of 19th-century Southeast Asian art.
Still Life with Cut Apple and Orange
Georgette Chen · c. 1950s
📍 DBS Singapore Gallery
Georgette Chen's luminous still life — the Shanghai-born, Paris-trained artist who became a pillar of the Nanyang School in Singapore.
Former Supreme Court Chamber
Architecture · 1939
📍 Supreme Court Wing
The restored courtroom where war-crimes trials were held — preserved within the museum with original furnishings and a history of Singapore's legal system.
Collections and highlights
- • Singapore art — Liu Kang, Chen Wen Hsi, Cheong Soo Pieng
- • Southeast Asian modern art — Raden Saleh, Affandi
- • Georgette Chen still lifes and portraits
- • Former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings
- • Wave-like glass canopy by studioMilou
- • Rooftop terrace views over Marina Bay
- • Rotating contemporary exhibitions
Tips for visiting National Gallery Singapore
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings at 10 AM. Friday evenings when the gallery stays open until 9 PM.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Moderate — DBS Singapore Gallery busiest. Rooftop popular at sunset. Air-conditioned refuge from tropical heat.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
S$20 standard adult; free for Singapore citizens and PRs. Book at nationalgallery.sg.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Aura restaurant on rooftop; National Kitchen by Violet Oon in the museum; Padang food stalls nearby.
- 5.
Accessibility
Fully accessible. Lifts connect all levels and the link bridge between buildings.
How do you get to National Gallery Singapore?
- MRT City Hall or Esplanade (Circle Line) — museum directly above City Hall station
- MRT Downtown Line to Bayfront — 10-minute walk via the Padang
- walk 5 minutes from Raffles Place; connected to Asian Civilisations Museum via the civic district
Address: 1 Saint Andrew's Road, Singapore 178957
National Gallery Singapore: frequently asked questions
Are the two buildings connected?
Yes — a glass bridge inside the canopy lets visitors walk seamlessly between the former Supreme Court and City Hall.
Is there a rooftop?
Yes, the rooftop terrace and Aura restaurant offer some of the best skyline views in the civic district.
How long should I spend at National Gallery Singapore?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of National Gallery Singapore. Our 4-stop route — Life by the River, Forest Fire, Still Life with Cut Apple and Orange and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is National Gallery Singapore best known for?
National Gallery Singapore opened in 2015 inside the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings, unified beneath a sculptural wave-like glass and steel canopy designed by studioMilou and CPG Consultants. Key highlights include Liu Kang's 'Life by the River', Georgette Chen still lifes and portraits, Raden Saleh's 'Forest Fire'.
How do I get tickets for National Gallery Singapore?
Admission: S$20 standard adult admission; free for Singapore citizens and PRs. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.nationalgallery.sg/
Is the rooftop worth visiting?
The rooftop terrace offers some of the best views of the Padang, Marina Bay, and the civic district. Aura restaurant on the roof is popular — book for sunset views.
What is the Nanyang School?
A Singapore-Malaysia art movement blending Chinese ink traditions with Southeast Asian subjects and some Western technique — Liu Kang, Chen Wen Hsi, and Cheong Soo Pieng were leading figures. The gallery holds the definitive collection.
Is National Gallery Singapore open on Mondays?
Yes — National Gallery Singapore is open every day of the week, including Mondays and Sundays: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Check the official website for holiday hours.
What are National Gallery Singapore's opening hours?
National Gallery Singapore is open daily, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is National Gallery Singapore free to visit?
Not for everyone. Standard admission: S$20 standard adult admission; free for Singapore citizens and PRs. Free or reduced entry: Free for Singapore citizens and PRs.
