Things to do in Singapore, Singapore: The Best Specialty Museums

The tools on display mark Singapore's emergence from a busy but undeveloped regional port city to today's advanced global hub for manufacturing, logistics, travel and financial services. See 20-plus plus traditional occupations, more than 300 of the tools they used, and insights into how these tools extended the user's capability and made their work easier, more productive, and more effective.

The Gem Museum is the first and foremost comprehensive gems and minerals museum in Singapore, open to the public. It is founded and set up in 2015 by Ms. Loke Huiying and co-founded by the director of Far East Gems and Jewellery, Mr. Tay Kunming. Ms. Loke is a certified trainer in gemmology and she has been training jewellery professionals and business owners since 2009. While Mr. Tay is a certified gemmologist, diamond trader and gem dealer. A husband and wife team, Kunming and Huiying work closely together to build a dream - a dream to spread their passion and knowledge on gemstones to many through building a company with global standards and creative platforms. The Gem Museum features a wide variety of gemstones and minerals from all corners of the world, educating visitors on the Mine to Market pipeline with regards to Value, Quality and Authenticity. It envisions being the international platform that bridge between the gemstone industry and the rest of the world.

Singapore's first all-things bubble tea immersive experience. Happening from 19 October 2019 to 18 January 2020 at Orchard.

The Grande Whisky Collection is designed to cater for everyone from those who are new to whisky, to experienced aficionados. The visitors’ experience begins as they enter the Vault where they will gain insights and discover the secrets and history of Scotland’s famous whiskies. Whisky ambassadors will explain the whisky making process and talk them through the distilleries spread across the map of Scotland, before finishing the tour with the whiskies of Japan. Visitors will be given the opportunity to view the finest and rarest blends including those from distilleries that have been long-closed Tours are conducted in small groups of 8 pax to give it a more intimate and personal experience. Tours will take approximately 60mins and is fully guided in English or Mandarin language. Our whisky ambassadors will take you on a journey: Explaining the history and secrets behind the whiskies. Opportunity to taste a variety of whiskies. Gift shop which offers a unique range of merchandise.

Singapore City Gallery is a great starting point to get to know the city for free. Located beside the Maxwell food centre in the historic district of Chinatown, this 3 storey visitor centre goes beneath the skin of the city to understand how the city came to be, that even though it’s a dense built-up city of tar, glass and concrete, it is still so green, has memorable buildings, historic districts and walkable streets. You can imagine and design your own version of Marina Bay or explore plans long into the future like Greater Southern Waterfront city. The main draw is an enormous model replica of the City Centre with uncannily accurate miniatures of building and streetscapes. Look out for an illustrative map drawn by Lee Xin Li. It will sure to bring back memories of Singapore, past and present. Before you leave, catch the dramatic 3-min Island Wide Model show screened every 20 mins at level 1.

The colourful past of Chinatown comes alive within the walls of these three beautifully-restored shophouses on Pagoda Street, comfortably nestled in the midst of Singapore's bustling Chinatown district. Every nook and cranny in the Chinatown Heritage Centre pulsates with the memories of yesteryear, offering an experience like no other as one is transported to Chinatown in the budding years of Singapore's establishment as a seaport. From the desperate hopefulness of the many "Sinkheh" (new migrants) - risking life and limb to embark on an arduous journey from the various Chinese provinces to the promised land of Singapore - to the raw, seedy and underground practices of gambling dens and secret societies, be prepared to experience a sense of nostalgia and sentimentality as you step into the pages of Chinatown's history. The Chinatown Heritage Centre is the only place in Singapore that has recreated the original interiors of its shophouse tenants in the 1950s, offering visitors an honest, revealing glimpse into the lives of Chinatown's early residents.

This place is temporarily closed. 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 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.

With a history dating back to its inception in 1887, the National Museum of Singapore is the nation's oldest museum with a progressive mind. Its galleries adopt cutting-edge and multi-perspective ways of presenting history and culture to redefine conventional museum experience. A cultural and architectural landmark in Singapore, the Museum hosts innovative festivals and events all year round-the dynamic Night Festival, visually arresting art installations, as well as amazing performances and film screenings-in addition to presenting thought-provoking exhibitions involving critically important collections of artefacts. The programming is supported by a wide range of facilities and services including F&B, retail and a Resource Centre. The National Museum of Singapore re-opened in December 2006 after a three-year redevelopment, and celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2012. The Museum refreshed its permanent galleries and re-opened them on 19 September 2015 for Singapore's Golden Jubilee.

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum (BTRTM) was founded in 2002 by Venerable Shi Fazhao. It was registered by the Registrar of Societies in 20th February 2003, and as a charity under the Charities Act in 8th January 2004. The Temple is dedicated to the Maitreya Buddha, which means 'The Compassionate One', and also called 'The Future Buddha'. (A)WEEKLY FREE GUIDED TOUR: BTRTM is pleased to offer a 1 1/2 - 2 hrs long guided tour of the Temple every Saturdays at 2pm. The tour will be conducted free-of-charge in English by the temple's Volunteers guides. Limited slots are available per weekly session. Confirmed registration is based on first-come-first-serve basis. (B)DISCOVERING BUDDHISM: Shakyanmuni Buddha had gained insight into the truth, perfected the qualities of wisdom and compassion over 2560 years ago. His teachings develops clarity in minds, enables abilities to end suffering and finds lasting happiness. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is carrying on the mission in offering "Discovering Buddhism' programme. 'Discovering Buddhism' is a specially designed programme for participants to gain experiential taste of Chinese Mahayana Buddhist etiquette, Basic Buddhist teachings and Basic Meditation within a day. This English taught programme is suitable for both tourists who wish to learn more about Buddhism and experienced learners who needs a refresher. Participants will benefit from the interactive and engaging teaching led by Venerable Wu Xiang and Venerable Ru Zhi who have more than a decade experience teaching Buddhism and Meditation in different cultural settings! [Chinese Mahayana Buddhist Etiquette] Buddhist etiquette is an important part of every Buddhist life. It expresses religious sentiments to the Buddha, the Teacher (Monk or Nun) and promotes gracefulness in social interactions. This is also a mean of training in mindfulness in every action one is taking. [Basic Buddhist teachings] Buddhism has been transmitted over the past centuries because of its timeless and enduring message to the spiritual needs of man in finding true peace, happiness, and well-being. In this part of the programme, learn about the basic essential knowledge of Buddhism. [Basic Meditation] Buddhist have been practicing meditation in cultivating calm, focused and positive states of mind. Introductory of technique will be taught to enable the participants to learn practical tips on how to achieve a clearer state of mind and focus better. Things to take note : * Avoid wearing hats, shorts or revealing tops * The organizer reserves the right to cancel the tour due to unforeseen circumstances. In such instances, registrants will be notified via their mobile phones.

Government Anti- COVID 19 guidelines According to the Singapore Government Anti- COVID 19 guidelines, the limit of the tour schedule as below: 1. Changes on the time for the tour as below: 11:00AM - 11:45AM 2:00PM - 2:45PM 3:00PM - 3:45PM 4:00PM - 4:45PM 2. The number of visitors had limited to 5 persons per tour. 3. Please fill out the registration and health check form at the ticket counter. Best wishes and thank you. Singapore Musical Box Museum