National Museum of Singapore
Singapore · Singapore · Founded 1887
Good for: History Enthusiasts · Families · First-timers
1887
Year Founded
1,700+
Artefacts on Display
2 hours
Recommended Visit
Quick answer
National Museum of Singapore in Singapore, Singapore. Admission: From S$15 standard admission. Hours: Daily: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. 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.
About National Museum of Singapore
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.
2 hours highlights route
A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at National Museum of Singapore without museum fatigue. · 2 hours
- 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.
Masterworks & must-see highlights
The works that define National Museum of Singapore — and why they matter.
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 & highlights
- • Singapore History Gallery
- • Story of the Forest (teamLab)
- • William Farquhar natural history drawings
- • Fashion and textiles gallery
- • Glass Rotunda architecture
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. Emotionally intense history museums reward unhurried visits — allow longer if reading extensively.
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?
From S$15 standard admission Free for Singapore citizens and PRs · Free after 6 PM for all on selected evenings. 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.
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