National Museum of Singapore
Quick answer
National Museum of Singapore in Singapore, Singapore — singapore's oldest museum — a neoclassical building telling the story of the island nation through the Singapore History Gallery and immersive Story of the Forest digital installation. Open daily, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Admission: From S$15 standard admission. Allow 2 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
National Museum of Singapore at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Daily: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | From S$15 standard admission |
| Free or reduced entry | Free for Singapore citizens and PRs · Free after 6 PM for all on selected evenings |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2 hours |
| Best time to visit | Friday evenings until 9 PM for extended hours. |
| Getting there | Metro: Bras Basah station (Circle Line) — 3-minute walk via Fort Canning Link |
| Address | 93 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178897 |
| Official website | nhb.gov.sg |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is National Museum of Singapore known for?
The National Museum of Singapore is the oldest museum in the country, founded in 1887 as the Raffles Library and Museum. Its neoclassical building on Stamford Road was restored and expanded in 2006, adding a modern glass wing and the spectacular Glass Rotunda.
The Singapore History Gallery tells the island's story from 14th-century Temasek through colonial rule, wartime occupation, independence, and the modern nation. The museum balances traditional display cases with immersive multimedia and interactive stations.
Story of the Forest — a teamLab digital installation in the Glass Rotunda — has become one of Singapore's most photographed attractions, animating William Farquhar's natural history drawings into a cascading floor-to-ceiling digital garden.
Best for: History Enthusiasts · Families · First-timers
How long do you need at National Museum of Singapore?
Allow 2 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at National Museum of Singapore without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Story of the Forest
📍 Glass Rotunda, Level 2
An immersive digital installation projecting animated flora and fauna from William Farquhar's 19th-century natural history drawings onto the rotunda walls — visitors lie on the floor or walk through a living forest of light.
- 2
Singapore Stone Fragment
📍 Singapore History Gallery
A fragment of sandstone bearing an undeciphered inscription — one of the oldest artefacts linked to Singapore's pre-colonial past, discovered at the mouth of the Singapore River in 1819.
- 3
William Farquhar Natural History Drawings
📍 Goh Seng Choo Gallery
Over 400 watercolours of Malay Peninsula flora and fauna commissioned by the first British Resident of Singapore — a remarkable record of biodiversity before industrial development.
- 4
Japanese Occupation Gallery
📍 Singapore History Gallery, Level 1
A sobering walk-through recreation of life during the 1942–45 Japanese occupation — air-raid shelters, ration cards, and survivor testimony bring the wartime experience to life.
What are the must-see works at National Museum of Singapore?
4 highlights that define the collection: Story of the Forest, Singapore Stone Fragment, William Farquhar Natural History Drawings and more.
Story of the Forest
teamLab · 2016
📍 Glass Rotunda, Level 2
An immersive digital installation projecting animated flora and fauna from William Farquhar's 19th-century natural history drawings onto the rotunda walls — visitors lie on the floor or walk through a living forest of light.
Singapore Stone Fragment
Unknown · c. 10th–13th century
📍 Singapore History Gallery
A fragment of sandstone bearing an undeciphered inscription — one of the oldest artefacts linked to Singapore's pre-colonial past, discovered at the mouth of the Singapore River in 1819.
William Farquhar Natural History Drawings
William Farquhar · early 19th century
📍 Goh Seng Choo Gallery
Over 400 watercolours of Malay Peninsula flora and fauna commissioned by the first British Resident of Singapore — a remarkable record of biodiversity before industrial development.
Japanese Occupation Gallery
Curatorial installation · permanent
📍 Singapore History Gallery, Level 1
A sobering walk-through recreation of life during the 1942–45 Japanese occupation — air-raid shelters, ration cards, and survivor testimony bring the wartime experience to life.
Collections and highlights
- • Singapore History Gallery
- • Story of the Forest (teamLab)
- • William Farquhar natural history drawings
- • Fashion and textiles gallery
- • Glass Rotunda architecture
Tips for visiting National Museum of Singapore
- 1.
Best time to visit
Friday evenings until 9 PM for extended hours. Free entry for all after 6 PM on selected festival evenings — check the website.
- 2.
Tickets & booking
From S$15 for foreign visitors. Free for Singapore citizens and PRs. Book online or at the counter.
- 3.
Accessibility
Fully accessible. The Glass Rotunda has a ramp. Wheelchairs available at the front desk.
- 4.
Photography rules
Photography permitted in permanent galleries without flash. Story of the Forest is dark — low-light photography works best.
How do you get to National Museum of Singapore?
- metro Bras Basah station (Circle Line) — 3-minute walk via Fort Canning Link
- metro Dhoby Ghaut station (Lines 1, 2, 3) — 5-minute walk
- bus Multiple services stop on Stamford Road and Bras Basah Road
- walk 10 minutes from Orchard Road via Fort Canning or Bras Basah
Address: 93 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178897
National Museum of Singapore: frequently asked questions
What is Story of the Forest at the National Museum of Singapore?
An immersive digital art installation by teamLab in the Glass Rotunda — visitors walk through a floor-to-ceiling animated forest projected from William Farquhar's natural history drawings. Included with admission.
How long should I spend at National Museum of Singapore?
Plan 2 hours for the highlights of National Museum of Singapore. Our 4-stop route — Story of the Forest, Singapore Stone Fragment, William Farquhar Natural History Drawings and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is National Museum of Singapore best known for?
Singapore's oldest museum — a neoclassical building telling the story of the island nation through the Singapore History Gallery and immersive Story of the Forest digital installation. Key highlights include Singapore History Gallery, Story of the Forest (teamLab), William Farquhar natural history drawings.
How do I get tickets for National Museum of Singapore?
Admission: From S$15 standard admission. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.nhb.gov.sg/nationalmuseum
How long does Story of the Forest take?
Most visitors spend 15–20 minutes in the installation. It runs on a continuous loop — you can enter at any point. It is included with standard museum admission.
Is the National Museum free for tourists?
Standard admission is S$15 for foreign visitors. Singapore citizens and permanent residents enter free. Look for free evening entry promotions during festivals.
Can I visit the National Museum and National Gallery in one day?
Yes — they are a 10-minute walk apart via Fort Canning or the Padang. Many visitors do both in a single afternoon, starting at whichever opens first.
Is National Museum of Singapore open on Mondays?
Yes — National Museum of 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 Museum of Singapore's opening hours?
National Museum of 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.
