The Peranakan Museum: the beautiful external facade

Visiting the Peranakan Museum was not a planned thing. We just happened to go by and I persuaded B to stop and see if it was open. To my delight it was and tickets cost just S$6 each. Good to know that for my relatives above 60 it’s free (only for citizens and permanent residents). For a family of 5 persons it’s just S$20. It was money well spent and I am glad that photography without flash was allowed, allowing me bring you on a pictorial tour. But even a pictorial tour is not the same as being there and experiencing it for yourself. My blurry photos definitely don’t do the beautiful museum justice, so I hope you visit and keep our heritage alive.

I will start the tour with photos of the external facade of this beautiful building.

photo by bookjunkie

It’s located on Armenian Road and you can park at the public lots just beside the museum. It’s coupon parking so just make sure you have sufficient coupons. I would say you could spend at least 2 hours here, if you take it slow and go through each exhibit.

Armenian Road

photo by bookjunkie

It’s just across from another gorgeous colonial building.  It’s the office building 36/38 Armenian and boy would I love to work there.  Out of curiosity I found out that an office space here is going for S$4300 a month.  I guess this is because it’s pretty far from an MRT station the closest being City Hall and Bras Basar stations, which are about 15 minutes away by foot. (this may sound ok to tourists, but we are used to our tube stations being just zero minutes away)

Anyway I digress.  My point was you can’t miss the museum with the huge blue banners advertising the Sarong Kebaya exhibit that is on from 1 April 2011 – 26 February 2012. I guess this exhibit would be a lot more interesting to foreigners who have never laid eyes on this elegant attire.

photo by bookjunkie

I was so enamoured by the architectural details I couldn’t resist snapping away. The architectural details of the building alone are enough to justify the ticket price. I can’t rave enough because I am always thrilled to spend a day away from the malls, learning something new.

photo by bookjunkie

The building was actually an old school – Tao Nan.

photo by bookjunkie

What captivated me instantly were the 2 sculptures. One of the little girl tugging at her grandpa’s hand and the kitty cat.

photo by bookjunkie

The toddler looks so life-like and this is just so delightful.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

Cat lovers will adore this kitty in memory of the real life kitty that made the museum her home.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

She welcomes you at the gorgeous entryway of the museum.  I just adore the use of soothing pastel shades which I saw throughout the museum.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

Here are more architectural elements I took in.  The old iron wrought gate that was so much part of 60’s Singapore.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

The sign in our 4 official languages including French and Japanese. It’s quite a thrill that many of the exhibits in the museum are on display in Paris as I write this.

photo by bookjunkie

The opening hours.

photo by bookjunkie

About bookjunkie

Blogging about life in Singapore & recently cancer too.
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10 Responses to The Peranakan Museum: the beautiful external facade

  1. 365days2play says:

    Did you try out the cafe SoHo around the corner? Btw I used to work at the building where you stood to take your 1st photo… 🙁

  2. 365days2play says:

    It was great, which was why I was so melancholic about having to move to PASIR PANJANG!!! I love this area to bits, it is steeped in history, and the Peranakan Museum and 36/38 are so pretty!

  3. Al says:

    What an eye-opening experience 🙂 And the architecture is so wonderful to look at too 🙂

    • bookjunkie says:

      I found it soo gorgeous and that is the best part of Singapore for me…our old restored architecture. The less grey, dull and characterless tall malls we have the better.

  4. whatsaysyou says:

    Awesome pictures 🙂 and thanks for sharing the information about the Peranakan Museum

    • bookjunkie says:

      I hope more people will visit as a result. The museum was pretty empty when I was there. I think a lot of people are not too aware of where it is and what they offer.

  5. Pingback: Peranakan Museum: Pretty Architecture | Tiny Island

  6. Pingback: Singapore in a Week: My Wandering Feasting Checklist | Singapore Actually

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