Museums, Kuala Lumpur

If you have time to visit only one place to learn about the history and culture of Singapore, this is probably it. The National Museum of Singapore tells you the intriguing story of this country in a manner that is both fun and rewarding. Imagine standing in the midst of a vast darkened space surrounded by a massive video montage showing everyday life in Singapore while a rousing symphony plays in the background. That’s just a taste of the immersive experience you can expect here. The museum hosts a dynamic range of events throughout the year—from art installations and festivals to performances and film screenings—in addition to presenting exhibitions involving historically and culturally important collections of artifacts. One of the latest immersive art installations – Story of the Forest by teamLab allows visitors to experience the treasured collections of the Museum being brought to life through a spectacular digital presentation. http://www.visitsingapore.com/see-do-singapore/history/history-museums/national-museum-of-singapore/

MINT Museum of Toys houses a world-class collection of vintage toys and collectible items in an international award-winning contemporary building on 26 Seah Street. Since its inauguration, the museum has expanded its collection, amassing over 50,000 items, 8000 of which are on display in the museum. The toys and items hail from over 40 countries and range in date from the 1840s to 1970s. These are displayed across the rooftop, basement and 4 thematic levels of the museum: Outerspace, Characters, Childhood Favourites and Collectables. The collection is made up of various key collections, including Batman, Dan Dare, Japanese character and space-related toys, and collectibles. In addition to toys, the museum houses a collection of confectionary vintage tin boxes, large-item displays, such as Mobo horses and pedal cars, as well as original enamel advertising signs. Over the years, these have been incorporated into various exhibitions and programs run by the museum, serving as windows into the past as well as inspirations for the present. Today, the MINT Museum of Toys serves diverse and expanding audiences, including tourists, families, collectors, artists, and students. It continues to fascinate and inspire the imaginations of audiences, taking them on a journey of rediscovery to rekindle that Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys (MINT). https://emint.com/

Situated in Singapores Civic District, the Gallery consists of two national monuments, the former Supreme Court Building and City Hall, and has a combined floor area of 64,000 square metres, making it the largest visual arts venue and largest museum in Singapore https://www.nationalgallery.sg/

The National Museum of Cambodia houses one of the world's greatest collections of Khmer cultural material including sculpture, ceramics and ethnographic objects from the prehistoric, pre-Angkorian, Angkorian and post-Angkorian periods. The main activities of the National Museum of Cambodia include exhibiting, safeguarding and promoting understanding of Cambodia’s cultural and artistic treasures. Keeping objects safe and working to ensure the repatriation of pieces stolen from Cambodia are important aspects of the museum’s work, particularly as looting and illicit export of cultural material are a continuing concern. In addition, the Museum strives to engage its visitors through its exhibitions and to fulfil its role as an integral part of the community. The Museum believes that Cambodia’s cultural heritage is of great value and can provide a source of pride and identity to the Cambodian people who have lost so much in recent decades. The availability of multilingual Museum tour guides and Publications, as well as the Museum’s public library, all serve to increase the accessibility of the collection both for local and international visitors. http://www.cambodiamuseum.info/museum_history.html

Artinus 3D Art Museum is an interactive art gallery, which gives it visitors a truly wonderful experience in the magic of 3D. This museum has more than 100 different 3D paintings, created by Korean artists. The artworks are created in a way that the visitors can step inside them and be part of some stunning 3D scenes. You will be amazed by all the optical illusions on display and surely have the chance of taking many pictures which will blow your friends’ minds. You can be trapped in a bottle, fight with a dragon and much more. Among the nine zones are the wildlife world, ancient Egypt, Renaissance art, Oceans and, of course, Vietnam. The Artinus 3D Art Museum is not overcrowded and therefore gives its visitors the time to enjoy the art and take pictures at their leisure. http://www.vietnam-guide.com/ho-chi-minh-city/attractions/artinus-3d-art-museum.htm

The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City first opened to the public in 1975. Once known as the ‘Museum of American War Crimes’, it's a shocking reminder of the long and brutal Vietnam War. Graphic photographs and American military equipment are on display. There's a helicopter with rocket launchers, a tank, a fighter plane, a single-seater attack aircraft. You can also see a conventional bomb that weighs at 6,800kg. American troops had used these weapons against the Vietnamese between 1945 and 1975. http://www.vietnam-guide.com/ho-chi-minh-city/war-remnants-museum.htm

The Chu Chi Tunnels are part of a massive war museum in Ho Chi Minh. They offer visitors a sneak-peek at the underground life of Vietnamese soldiers back in 1948. The site has over 120km of underground tunnels, with trapdoors, living areas, kitchens, storage facilities, armoury, hospitals, and command centres. After the war against the French, Vietnamese soldiers expanded the tunnels and included effective air filtration systems, which helped them survive the Chu Chi carpet-bombings. It is now one of Ho Chi Minh’s most iconic attractions. You can enjoy plenty of activities during your visit. A popular option is following the narrow routes of the underground tunnel. Before entering the underground tunnels, visitors watch a short film of Chu Chi Tunnels so that they understand how the tunnel system works. Parts of Chu Chi Tunnels are also cemented and widened so that the crawl is less harrowing than it would have been in the past. http://www.vietnam-guide.com/ho-chi-minh-city/cu-chi-tunnels.htm

Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Road and the surrounding district is one of the best known localities in the Thai capital. Unlike some districts in the city you won’t find beautiful temples or palaces here; Sukhumvit Bangkok is better known for its Westernised feel and consists of bars, restaurants and shopping malls that you’ll find alongside sois that are filled with even more bars (salubrious and otherwise) and massage parlours. The sex trade is difficult to ignore with prostitutes almost everywhere you look, and you wouldn’t come to Sukhumvit Road for the traditional Thai culture, but even so, it’s one of the most visited neighbourhoods in the city. So why the interest? Read on to discover our recommendations for amazing places to visit on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok. https://bangkokattractions.com/sukhumvit-road-bangkok/

This Museum holds the collection of maritime artefacts collected from throughout the Indonesian archipelago from Sumatra to Papua. It has traditional and modern boats with all the necessary gear and equipments, the different kinds of underwater life available, the large variety of fish, Indonesia’s maritime heroes, a collection on the history of the Indonesian Navy, and the KPM shipping between Batavia-Amsterdam. http://jakarta-tourism.go.id/2015/content/maritime-museum

Museum stands on the former New Holland Church holds a collection of rocks, home furnishings and pictures from the past related to Jakarta. The museum was established in connection with the incidence of awareness in Indonesia in general, especially the lovers of puppets, that art and rich culture of high value, not only to own but also should be preserved, developed and constructed and utilized for the nation. http://jakarta-tourism.go.id/2015/content/puppet-museum

Located on Medan Merdeka Barat, the National Museum is the pride of Jakarta, providing visitors an insight into Indonesia’s long history in cultural heritage from prehistoric days up to today. Having recently been expanded, the museum houses an impressive collection of no less than 109,342 objects covering Indonesia’s Prehistory, Archaeology, Ethnography, Numismatics-Heraldic, Geography and Historical Relics. Here are statues and stone inscriptions discovered on sites throughout the archipelago starting from the first century AD, a complete collection of batik cloths and woven textiles produced through the years in the different islands. While on the top floor one finds displayed the collection of gold and silver ornaments and jewelry once owned by the rajahs and sultans of the archipelago. https://www.indonesia.travel/au/en/destinations/java/dki-jakarta/national-museum

The main Sudirman-Thamrin avenues in Jakarta lead to the Merdeka Square, where in its center stands the National Monument (also known as Monas or Monumen Nasional) which houses the first red-and-white flag flown at the Proclamation of Independence on 17 August 1945. This flag has now become threadbare, and so nowadays on Independence Day ceremonies, the original flag is taken out but only to accompany the replica flag to be flown in front of the Merdeka Palace. The 137 meter tall National Monument is obelisk shaped, and is topped with a 14.5 meter bronze flame coated with 32 kilograms gold leaf. Within the pedestal is a museum depicting in diorama Indonesia’s fight for Independence as well as the original text of the Proclamation of Independence. A lift takes visitors up to the look-out platform at the base of the flame for a grand view of Jakarta. Surrounding the Monument is now a park with a musical fountain, enjoyed by the Jakarta public on Sundays for sports and recreation. Deer roam among the shady trees in the park. https://www.indonesia.travel/au/en/destinations/java/dki-jakarta/national-monument

The charm of ancient city of Ayutthaya Thailand continues to gain tourists’ attention as a historic attraction. Not only the old moments but also the new things that shine. When it comes to historical buildings, Ayutthaya travel is well known for temples and palaces. But in addition to that, a variety of food is also another magnet. You can find fresh river prawns, fish, noodles, and even the never-miss dessert like cotton candy wrap. So, remember to plan your eating trip whenever you visit Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya is one of Thailand’s historical and majestic highlights. The capital of Thailand, then known as the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was a glorified as one of the biggest cities in Southeast Asia and a regional power for 417 years. https://au.tourismthailand.org/About-Thailand/Destination/Ayutthaya

The Fifth Military Division Museum of Da Nang was built in 1977, offering visitors a glimpse of Vietnam’s tumultuous past with extensive displays of war relics, news articles, and photographs taken by soldiers of the Fifth Military Division. The museum also commemorates Vietnam’s most beloved leader with a replica of Ho Chi Minh's residence and a separate Ho Chi Minh Museum. Divided into four main sections, its outdoor display area houses authentic aircraft, military tanks, and weapons used during the French and American wars. Most of these exhibits are in pristine condition, with must-sees including the A-37 Dragonfly light-attack aircraft, Cessna O-1 Bird Dog observation aircraft, and the M48 Patton gun tank. The museum’s indoor display area comprises 12 showrooms, displaying thousands of photographs and news articles on the Vietnamese military’s establishment, struggles, and victory. There are also numerous personal belongings and interesting backgrounds of prominent soldiers, including a pair of slippers that belonged to Phan Thi Mua. She was a female special task force member who detonated an American fuel depot in 1972 by smuggling dynamite powder in her slippers. http://www.vietnam-guide.com/da-nang/attractions/fifth-military-museum.htm

With their roots dating back as far as 192 AD, Vietnam's indigenous Cham people lived an Indian way of life in both culture and language. The Cham Museum in Danang is dedicated to this period and the Champa existence which began predominantly in the coastal areas of Vietnam. Housing the largest exhibition of Cham sculpture in the world, the museum displays almost 300 terracotta and stone works of art ranging from the 7th to the 15th centuries. Many of the exhibits are considered masterpieces of their field showcased according to the region in which they were found with a total of ten separate interior exhibition rooms. All of the sculptures on display fall into one of the following sections – icon, pedestal, pediment, or fragment, with the area in which they were found determining where they are exhibited. When you've finished browsing the internal creations, step outside to appreciate the building itself carefully crafted with objects of worship including idols and holy animals surrounded by flowers, leaves and turrets all symbols of Hinduism. http://www.vietnam-guide.com/da-nang/cham-museum.htm

In Vinh Moc - you'll find a very impressive temple complex. They are the remains of a North Vietnamese fishing village, where the people have built a tunnel complex to protect themselves against the American bombing. Literally, the village went underground. It offered protection to more than 90 families. The tunnel complex has three levels. The majority of the tunnels is open to visitors and is kept in their original state (with the exception of the recent addition of electric lighting). The tunnels were used not only for civilian purposes (the distinction between civilians and Vietcong is a dim area), but were also used to transport weapons and other equipment. These were brought to Con Co Island, a base off the North Vietnamese coast near Vinh Moc in the South China Sea. The tour usually starts at the museum, which is above the ground. There are objects and photographs on displays. There is also a watch, which is a gift from the GDR. Then begins the real visit to the tunnels. The tunnels are situated at a depth of 11 to 20 meters. You'll pass the "family quarters" - really just niches on the side of the main tunnel, with barely enough room for three people and zero privacy. They also show you larger dwellings, which were used for meetings, storage, and as a hospital. Nowadays, there are life-sized puppets, to make it clear for the tourists. Suddenly you stand again in daylight, right by the sea, just above a beach. This output is well camouflaged. This output was at night to receive weapons and other supplies, which were sent via Con Co Island. Then you go back in and finally you'll get out at one of the ground-level exits. During the approximately four years they lived under the ground, there were 17 babies born in the "tunnel hospital." In principle, these babies would only see the light when the war was over. https://www.vietnamsite.nl/vinhmoceng.htm

The 3D Illusion art, started from Korea and have been praised all over the world, is coming to Bali, the beautiful vacation spot in Indonesia. The 3D Museum here in Bali has been becoming another attraction in Bali by diversely expressing beautiful sceneries and customs of Bali based on the expertise of DMZ Museum that have been creating numerous trick arts. From the illusion trickery art at the entrance to the labyrinth of Egyptian pyramid, and the world of imaginations afterwards will guide you to a whole new world you have never expected to see. Come to this space of surprises and excitements, and experience the world full of fun and joy that could be only brought to you through 3D special illusion art. In the museum, you will enjoy about 120 art pieces created by worldly renowned illusion artists from Korea. Come and make special memories at DMZ, the world's most fantastic illusion art museum. http://dmzbali.com/eng/index.php

Maison Centrale in Hanoi, also known as Hoa Lo Prison and the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ housed Vietnamese revolutionaries and American POW during the Vietnam War. The fortress was once a vast colonial-style prison, most of which was torn down in the 1990s. Visiting today you will find the small southern section resting alongside a hotel and office complex. The prison is still a popular tourist attraction for those on the war history trail. Official records claim inmates numbered in their hundreds although it was not unknown for up to 2,000 prisoners to be crammed into a space reserved for 600 inmates. Around 200-300 inmates were captured American pilots brought to Maison Centrale for interrogation and torture, it was the American prisoners who sarcastically gave the jail its nickname ‘Hanoi Hilton’. Hoa Lo Prison today portrays a different side of the horror stories told by former inmates despite the prominently displayed shackles hanging on the walls. Much of the emphasis is on the Vietnamese revolutionaries some of whom were executed at the prison. The American POWs have well documented their own experiences, little of which is available at Maison Centrale today. http://www.vietnam-guide.com/hanoi/hanoi-maison-centrale.htm

Standing majestically at the western coast of Makassar, South Sulawesi. Fort Rotterdam is recognized as the city’s most iconic landmark. With historical traces dating back to the Kingdom of Gowa from the 16th century to colonization by the Dutch, this Fort has silently witnessed many episodes in Makassar’s history, playing a most essential role in its development. Its magnificence and authenticity has always captivated those who set eyes on it. Originally called Benteng or Fort Jumpandang or Ujung Pandang, the huge complex was first built in 1545 in the era of Imanrigau Daeng Bonto Karaeng Lakiung or Karaeng Tunipalangga Ulaweng, the tenth King of Gowa. Initially, the fort was made from a mixture of Stone and burnt clay, and took the shape of a typical square Portuguese architectural style. The fort was also expanded and took on a new shape resembling a sea turtle, thus the fort gained a new name, Benteng Pannyua (Penyu) or Fort Sea turtle. The shape is not only unique, but also contains deep meaning. For just as a sea turtle lives both on land and at sea, the glory of the Gowa Kingdom also stretched on land as well as over the seas. https://www.indonesia.travel/gb/en/destinations/sulawesi/makassar/fort-rotterdam

An impressive “Changing of the Guard” ceremony takes place at the Ballalompoa Museum, the former Palace of the Sultan of Gowa. Wearing resplendent bright red costumes, “soldiers” involved in the “Changing of the Guard” at the former Gowa Palace will perform their drill for the public to watch every morning at 09.0 am, promised the Bupati (Regent) of the district of Gowa. Built in 1936, the Palace of the Sultan of Gowa, formerly also known as the Sungguminasa Palace, is a large wooden structure built on stilts and has an imposing roofed staircase that leads to the reception room. It has five wooden panels in the gable of the roof, which denotes royalty and may be used only by the Sultan. The Ballalompoa Museum today houses the resplendent treasure and regalia of the former Sultan of Gowa, among which the Gowa gold crown, bracelets with precious stones, royal swords, keris and gold jewellery. Every year a special ceremony called “Acera Kalomponag” is held to cleanse and weigh the gold crown, which is believed to have been inherited from the first female ruler of Gowa, called I Tanisamanga. According to belief, the crown never weighs the same each year it is weighed. When its weight increases it is a good omen that all will be well in the region. https://www.indonesia.travel/gb/en/destinations/sulawesi/makassar/ballalompoa-museum

Travel back in time and trace Philippine history at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, the famed "Walled City," where the historic fortress at the mouth of the Pasig River served as the Spanish military headquarters during the country's turbulent Colonial Era. Today it stands as a Shrine of Freedom, a memorial to the National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, who was imprisoned and spent his final days there before his execution for inciting revolution against the Spanish authorities. The fort is also a memorial for those who lost their lives during the Japanese Occupation of World War II. Visiting this historical landmark takes little effort: just take the train (LRT Line 1) and get off at the United Nations Station. From there you will take a 20 to 25 minute walk. https://www.choosephilippines.com/do/history-and-culture/167/time-and-trace-philippine-history-fort-santiago

Located on the tip of Hong Kong’s peninsula by Victoria Harbour, Tsim Sha Tsui is famous for its iconic view of the city’s harbour. This neighbourhood should be your top priority if you’re a first-time visitor! Tsim Sha Tsui is one of the busiest districts in Kowloon, and there’s plenty to see and do here. The shopping scene is varied, ranging from designer boutiques to local bric-a-brac stores. It’s also a good place to find a range of museums, galleries and live performances. But perhaps what it’s best known for is its view of Hong Kong’s harbour; here, you can watch the junk boats sail across Victoria Bay against the backdrop of an expansive glittering skyline. https://theculturetrip.com/asia/hong-kong/articles/the-top-10-cultural-things-to-do-and-see-in-tsim-sha-tsui/

As China's biggest privately owned green porcelain museum, it is located in Luohu District and houses more than 2,000 pieces from the Shang to Qing Dynasty, fully presenting ancient China's porcelain history. http://english.sz.gov.cn/tis/201608/t20160830_4383184.htm

Ahsan Manzil is an attractive tourist spot in Dhaka. It is one of the most meaningful architectural heritage of Bangladesh. It is situated in Old Dhaka on the bank of the river Buriganga. The area is called Kumartuli in Islampur. Here you you’ll enjoy the feeling of the lifestyle of the Nawabs of Dhaka. The pink palace was actually built by Nawab Sir Abdul Gani in 1872, and was reconstructed after the tornado of 1888. Now it has been established as a museum. It is an epitome of the nation's rich cultural heritage. Todays renovated Ahsan Manjil a monument of immense historical beauty. It has 31 rooms with a huge dome atop which can be seen from miles around. It now has 23 galleries in 31 rooms displaying of traits, furniture and household articles and utensils used by the Nawab. https://travel.discoverybangladesh.com/travel-lalbag-fort-ahsan-manjil.html#1

The fort of Aurangabad, popularly known as the Lalbagh Fort, was built in 1678 AD by the then Viceroy of Bengal Prince Mohammad Azam, son of the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. The fort has a three storied structure with slender minarets at the South Gate. It has many hidden passages and a mosque of massive structure. Outstanding among the monuments of the Lalbagh Fort are the Tomb of Pari Bibi (Fairy lady) and Audience room and Hummam Khana (bathing place) of Nawab Shaista Khan, now housing a museum. The fort was the scene of bloody battle during the first war of independence (1857) when 260 spays stationed here backed by the people revolted against British forces. It is one of the great historical places of Mughal era. A small museum is there in this fort where you will find the clothes and weapons of the Mughols. These are a small 3-domed mosque, the mausoleum of Bibi Pari the reputed daughter of Nawab Shaista Khan and the Hammam and Audience Hall of the Governor. The main purpose of this fort was to provide a defensive enclosure of the palatial edifices of the interior and as such was a type of palace-fortress rather than a siege fort. https://travel.discoverybangladesh.com/travel-lalbag-fort-ahsan-manjil.html#2

National Museum is the biggest museum in Bangladesh and one of the largest museums in South Asia. It has several departments like archaeology, classical, decorative and contemporary art, history, natural history, ethnography and world civilization of displays. It has a rich collection of paintings, old coins, metal images, world famous embroidered quilts (Nakshi kantha) and much more. You can also find valuable articles of the heroic liberation war here. The Museum is noted for its collection of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin and works of other contemporary artists. https://travel.discoverybangladesh.com/travel-dhaka-museums-parliament.html#1

Tudor Ice Company was built in 1842 to store ice blocks. From then it is being called as Ice House even after the company’s closure. Bilagiri Iyengar, a noted Lawyer bought it in 1885 and named it “Castle Kernan” in honour of his Justice friend. Vivekananda stayed at the Ice House between 6 February 1897 to 14 February 1897. Every year this event is celebrated as Vivekananda Nava Rathiri. The pujas and festivals performed by the Ramakrishna Mutt were shifted to New Mutt premises in Mylapore. But the premises continued to be the Memorial of Swami Vivekananda. Later the Government took over the building in 1930. In 1963, on his birth centenary, it was renamed as Vivekanandar House. In 1999, on Centenary of Swamiji’s return to India from the United States, the house was renovated and opened a fresh by the then Chief Minister. http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/places/CitiesTowns/chennai02.aspx?catid=010101P03

It is a prestigious land mark of the city. British bought this piece of land from the King of Vijayanagar on 22nd August 1639 and built the Fort St. George and named the area as Madraspattinam. St.Mary�s Church built in 1860 is located inside the fort complex. http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/places/CitiesTowns/chennai01.aspx?catid=010101P01;pg=2

The evolution and richness of Philippine history ensembles a simplest framework of how social change significantly takes place to effectively initiate its highest form of realization.-Socio-cultural development. http://www.poklat.com/davao_museum_and_ethnography/

Housed in the old Palace of Rani Mangammal, the Gandhi Museum depicts the highlights of the freedom struggle and contains a picture gallery of the Gandhian movement. http://www.madurai.tn.nic.in/tourism.html#5

This Chen Clan Academy was organized by two Chinese-Americans who wanted Chen clan students to have an academy in Guangzhou. It was built just before the end of the Qing era between 1890 and 1894. It became a museum in 1957, and the remaining artwork and traditional architecture and decorations were deemed to be so valuable that in 1988 it was named a National Key Cultural Heritage Protection Unit by the State Council of China. It now is a Chinese folk art museum. The building covers 13,200 square meters or 142,000 square feet. It has 19 buildings with nine halls and six courtyards that are connected in a symmetric pattern. On the main axis are the Main Entrance (头门), the Assembly Hall, and the Rear Hall (后堂). These three main buildings are separated by courtyards. It is one of Guangzhou's best tourist highlights. https://www.chinahighlights.com/guangzhou/attraction/chen-ancestral-shrine.htm

The Hill Palace is Kerala's first heritage museum located at Thripunithura in Ernakulam district. It has a huge collection of the former Maharaja of Kochi. At present, this official residence of the royal family has become one of the state's largest archaeological museums. Built in the year 1865, there are 49 buildings in the complex which are designed in the Kerala's architectural style. Spread over 52 acres of land, the complex is beautifully landscaped and houses a deer park and horse riding facilities. The complex of museum is a home to various rare species of medical plants. At present, this museum is protected by the Kerala State Archaeology Department. https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/kerala/hill-palace-tripunithura-ernakulam.html

Kerala Folklore Museum is the only architectural museum in Kerala with the essence of the life and culture of the common man over the past 1000 years. It is also a cultural hub which contains:‘Face Art Gallery’- for Art & Antiques; ‘Folklore Theatre’- Live performances of traditional art forms & cultural activities. ‘Spice Art Café’ -, to experience the real culinary taste of traditional Kerala. ‘Souvenir Shop’ - to buy real ethnic antiques and tribal artefacts. This is a treasure trove of stone, wood and bronze sculptures, ancient terracotta, Stone Age objects, jewellery, paintings, oil lamps, musical instruments, tribal and folk art, woodworks, utensils, masks and traditional art forms etc. There are around 4000 artefacts from tiny to large size on display. This unique cultural project aims to provide art education to the students and to help provide visual and academic knowledge to the art lovers, researchers and travellers from all over the world. http://www.keralafolkloremuseum.org/