Peranakan Museum

Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay


Housed in the eclectic classical-style Tao Nan building, this museum is the best spot to explore the rich heritage of the Peranakans (Straits Chinese descendants). Galleries cover various aspects of Peranakan art and culture. It was closed for major renovation at the time of research, but is expected to reopen mid-2021.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay attractions

1. Armenian Church

0.11 MILES

The Armenians were the first Christian community to build a permanent place of worship in Singapore – this handsome, neoclassical number was designed by…

2. Civil Defence Heritage Gallery

0.13 MILES

This small yet fascinating museum narrates the history of Singapore's civil defence, with a large emphasis on the fire service. The ground floor showcases…

3. National Museum of Singapore

0.17 MILES

Imaginative and immersive, Singapore's National Museum is good enough to warrant two visits. At once cutting edge and classical, the space ditches staid…

4. Capitol Theatre

0.19 MILES

After years of neglect, the art deco Capitol Theatre was freshly restored in 2015 and is once again taking centre stage. Built in 1929 and locally dubbed …

5. Fort Canning Park

0.2 MILES

When Raffles rolled into Singapore, locals steered clear of Fort Canning Hill, then called Bukit Larangan (Forbidden Hill), out of respect for the sacred…

6. Chijmes

0.22 MILES

Now the home of trendy restaurants and entertainment hot spots, including famed Whitegrass and exotic Coriander Leaf, neo-classical Chijmes was once a…

7. Battlebox

0.24 MILES

Take a tour through the Battlebox Museum, the former command post of the British during WWII, and get lost in the eerie and deathly quiet 26-room…

8. Singapore Art Museum

0.25 MILES

Formerly the St Joseph's Institution – a Catholic boys' school – SAM now sings the praises of contemporary Southeast Asian art. The museum was undergoing…