Singapore Art Museum

This sprawling white complex along Bras Basah Road—located right in the heart of Singapore’s arts and heritage district—is hard to miss. Opened in 1996, the building complex in itself is a national monument, dating back over 140 years. Once home to the Saint Josephs Institution, it now houses various contemporary art exhibitions from around Asia, with a focus on Southeast Asian art by both internationally and locally acclaimed artists. The chapel on the second level has been well preserved and retains much of its original architecture, but has been converted into a space for special museum events and the installation of large artworks. Make sure to walk across to 8Q at SAM—an annexe of the museum just across the road—which houses galleries spread over four floors and offers guided tours through the day. The Singapore Art Museum also hosts the Singapore Biennale, and the museum shop is a good place to shop for unusual souvenirs designed by local Singaporean artists.