Healing Heritage

Healing Heritage explores the story of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Singapore, tracing its development from 19th century Chinese medical halls and charitable clinics to its place in everyday life today.

Organised into five thematic zones, the exhibition highlights the key milestones in Singapore’s TCM history, the role of neighbourhood halls as familiar fixtures, and the charitable institutions that offered free or affordable care to the needy.

It also shows how practitioners and professional bodies raised standards, while innovations such as digital diagnostic tools and halal-certified products have expanded TCM’s impact and relevance to modern living.

Through loan objects, archival materials, recreated settings, and interpretive displays, Healing Heritage presents TCM as both a cultural legacy and a living tradition, and demonstrates how TCM remains an important pillar of community healthcare that has continued to evolve and adapt to meet present and future needs.