SINGAPO人 | Singaporen Exhibition

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About SINGAPO人

Chinese culture in Singapore has evolved in a way unlike other communities around the world. Singapore is a tiny Southeast Asian nation-state located in a region with many ethnic groups, of which the Chinese comprise only a small percentage of the overall population. However, the Chinese form the majority in Singapore, living alongside a significant proportion of non-Chinese residents. Over many years, interaction with other cultures, encouraged by geographical proximity and social diversity, has birthed a Chinese Singaporean identity that is complex and ever-changing. At the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, join in the conversation and discover (or rediscover) what it means to be a Chinese Singapo人.

Zone 1: What Makes Us, “Us”?

What shaped Chinese Singaporean culture? Was it influenced by our strategic location as a prominent Southeast Asian port? Determined by our past as a British Colony? Or steered by the policies of independent Singapore? Take a trip to find out how geography, economics and politics had a hand in crafting our present-day Chinese Singaporean identity.

Zone 2: Beyond Generations

Seemingly ordinary habits form the “Chinese culture”, a way of life that is passed down through the centuries. That’s how inventions such as the compass and paper, wisdom from thinkers of the old like Confucius, commonly shared values of Chinese culture and tradition have been passed on through the centuries. Peep through windows and open doors for a surprise!

Zone 3: When Cultures Meet?

How many languages do you use to order a kopi-c kosong peng? The answer: three! When early Chinese migrants first arrived in Singapore, the members of different dialect groups interacted with each other and other non-Chinese residents. The result: terms invented in Singapore, delicious local cuisine and a set of customs unique to their new home. Stop by the interactive kopi-making game and the food projection table to learn more about the results of these exchanges.

Zone 4: Made in Singapore

What happens when you rapidly expose a group of people to a different set of ideas, languages, and religions? You get a community who remain rooted in their heritage but are shaped by multicultural worldviews. Like many other ethnic groups in Singapore, the Chinese Singaporeans developed unique, imaginative perspectives, unbound to one way of thinking. See how the impact of these influences are observed in food, art and popular culture.

Zone 5: Making Our Mark

Within a remarkably short time, Chinese Singaporean food, culture and products have travelled the world. Perhaps you’ve heard JJ Lin’s songs in China or visited the Old Chang Kee in London for a Hainanese curry puff. If all the world’s a lazy susan, the next generation of Singaporeans await to serve the international audience music, plays, books, television, films… Enter this futuristic zone and watch a conveyor belt transport familiar brands and individuals around you.

Zone T: The Story So Far

We’ve come a long way from a rainforest-covered, seaport to glittering concrete jungle. Spend a moment to look back on our key milestones via the interactive digital timeline. As you pore over our rich heritage, wonder, “What comes next?”

Testimonials

“This was my first visit to the SCCC with a friend. It was a very rewarding and pleasant experience! The SINGAPO人 exhibition was very interactive in nature and encouraged participation from the guests. The text content featured were also easy to digest even with a simple command of Chinese. Not to worry, there are also bilingual translation provided for easier reading. The staff there were very friendly and had good attitude towards the guests.

The SCCC provides a warm and inviting environment for its guests. I will definitely recommend members of the public to visit this place and of course will bring other friends along with me the next time I visit again!”

GG Gallium, December 2020, posted on Google

“This is easily the best exhibition I’ve since in Singapore! It totally exceeded my expectations as an ‘interactive’ exhibition. I can’t believe this is a free exhibition! Suitable for all ages and all races who wants to learn about Singaporean Chinese culture.

I’ve never taken being ‘Singaporean Chinese’ seriously and this exhibition just broadened my perspective. I feel very proud to be who I am. I highly recommend this exhibition!”

Kennigrace, January 2021, posted on Google

“Looking for an activity that is fun, educational, enriching, super high-tech and entertaining for kids and is free? Look no further! The Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre is a godsend for parents with easily bored kids. Also comes with a Rooftop with a super nice view of the city.”

John Lam, 27 September 2021, posted on Facebook

“My kids and I totally enjoyed SINGAPO人 exhibition. The guided tour was informative. Interesting place to learn about Singapore Chinese history and culture for both SINGAPO人 and foreigner living here. Saw a real Golden Horse Award trophy （金马奖座）.”

Siok Hoon, 20 December 2020, posted on Facebook

General Information

Visits for the Public

Opening Hours (including public holidays)
2pm – 8pm (Monday)
10am – 8pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Free admission, no prior booking required.

Location
Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Level 2
Getting here

Free Guided Tours

– English tour: 3pm (Saturday and Sunday)
– Mandarin tour: 4pm (Saturday and Sunday)

The tours are offered on a first-come-first-serve basis. Visitors can walk-in and register at the registration desk on Level 2. Each tour is limited to 10 participants (excluding the docent) due to safe management measures.

SCCC is SG Clean Certified!

Visitors will be required to sanitise their hands before and after touching any surfaces. Frequent cleaning of displays are carried out as part of Singapore’s Safe Management Measures.

Gallery Etiquette

– Food and drinks are not allowed.
– Smoking is not allowed in the gallery or in the building.
– The gallery operates closed-circuit video monitoring for the safety of the exhibits and the public.
– Video and photography are permitted for personal, non-commercial use only. Photographs cannot be published, sold, reproduced, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner whatsoever.

– Please note that visitors to the gallery may be photographed, videotaped, or otherwise recorded. By attending, you grant the gallery permission to use photographs and/or audiovisual recordings in which you appear for archival, documentary, publicity, advertising, or other purposes.
– All galleries are fully accessible for wheelchairs and the elderly.
– Baby strollers are permitted in the gallery.

The SINGAPO人: Discovering Chinese Singaporean Culture exhibition was awarded the Singapore Good Design Awards under the “Experience Design” category in 2021.

The SINGAPO人: Discovering Chinese Singaporean Culture exhibition has been awarded the Gold Award by the Design for Asia (DFA) under the “Service and Experience Design” category in 2022.