If you’re the type who can’t start the day without some teh or you’re a hardcore fan who queues 30 minutes for a Chagee Bo•Ya Jasmine Green Milk Tea, listen up. The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) is dropping a brand new exhibition that’s going to make you look at your daily brew in a whole new light.
Running from 28th January to 7th June 2026, Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie isn’t your typical “look but don’t touch” museum gallery. It’s a massive, multi-sensory collab between ACM, Chagee, and STB. We’re talking art you can smell, soothing soundscapes, and yes, exclusive merch that’ll probably sell out faster than you can say “less sugar.”
Here’s why you should jio your besties for a museum date this weekend.
Think of this exhibition as a “tea spa” for your brain. Instead of just reading boring history plaques, you get to experience the world of tea through your 5 senses, plus a sixth one they’re calling the “sense of thought.” Head up to level 2 to experience these stations.
Image credit: Chagee x ACM
The whole point is to show how tea is more than just a drink. Whether it’s a morning teh tarik catch-up at the coffee shop, a traditional tea ceremony, or a quick BBT run, tea is how a lot of Singaporeans connect with each other. This exhibition uses modern art and cool tech to explain how this tradition has stayed relevant for hundreds of years.
The exhibition is split into 5 different sensory zones, each focusing on a different way to experience tea.
The moment you walk in, you’ll see a massive paper sculpture by local artist Ashley Yeo. It’s shaped like giant tea leaves and feels like a calm forest. The idea? To get you to slow down. No rushing allowed; just take a breath and leave the office stress at the door.
At the other end of the exhibition, you’ll also notice papers with prompts and colour pencils for you to pen down your thoughts on the beloved drink.
Who would you like to share a cup with? Do you have a memory of when tea comforted you?
Image credit: Chagee x ACM
Ever wonder why some teas smell like flowers and others smell like roasted nuts? In this zone, you get to deep-dive into the different “perfumes” of tea. You’ll learn how heat and water unlock these smells, moving from light green teas to the rich, dark stuff.
We beg, please don’t miss the glutinous green milk tea – it smells heavenly!
This part is for the craft lovers. You’ll see old-school tools used to make tea 300 years ago alongside the high-tech extraction gear Chagee uses today. It’s all about the “touch” of the people who grow, pick, and brew the leaves.
Long before we were posting “aesthetic” tea photos on IG, people were obsessed with tea ware. You’ll see 3D-printed replicas of ancient museum vessels sitting right next to modern Chagee cups. It’s basically a “then vs. now” comparison of how tea fashion has evolved.
This is arguably the coolest part. Artist Alecia Neo and composer Clarence Chung have created a multimedia piece that turns the sounds of making tea – the pouring, the clinking, the stirring – into a musical experience. It’s like ASMR, but make it art. Open your ears and listen carefully to the soothing sounds.
Once you’ve finished the exhibition, don’t just leave! Head out to the Chagee ACM Pop-up store right by the Singapore River and at the main entrance of ACM.
Image credit: Chagee x ACM
Here, you’ll find merch like a Linglong Porcelain Cup ($29) and Jasmine Snow Candle ($29) which truly smells divine. There’s also a selection of exhibition-exclusive tea bags ($12) in 4 flavours – Peach Oolong, Lychee Black, Honey Melon Oolong, and the best-selling Bo•Ya Jasmine Green.
For the true Chagee fanatics, snag yourselves a chic Shawl Gift Set ($75) featuring the iconic blue and white motifs of the brand, or the Peranakan-inspired cup and coaster Ceramic Set ($45).
Sneak peek of the upcoming pop-up opening in early February.
Image credit: Chagee x ACM
There’s also going to be a temporary takeover of the Baker & Cook space, featuring a nature-inspired design that’s perfect for a relaxing afternoon. The space is inspired by the old tea trade routes, where merchants used to gather by the water.
Tea Joy Glass Cup Set ($89).
You can grab your favourite drinks and even snag some Singapore-exclusive merchandise that was previously only available in China.
Pro-tip: The pop-up only opens in early February 2026. If you go on the first day of the exhibition, the pop-up store selling Chagee drinks won’t be open yet, so plan accordingly.
If you’re a collector, you’re going to want the Chagee Pony Plushie Charm Bundle ($17.90). These will be available once the temporary Chagee store opens in early February.
Perfect to hang on your bags, these keychains are super cute and actually have a deep meaning. The horse represents the animals that carried tea across the ancient Tea Horse Road across Southwest China to Tibet, while the Merlion and teapot details represent our local heritage. Of course, just nice that it is also the Year of the Horse.
Image adapted from: Chagee
The light blue variant is exclusive to those who buy an All Access Ticket to the museum. You’ll get a voucher to buy the bundle in-store, which includes a Chagee drink. As for the light brown version, it is available for any walk-in customer to purchase as a bundle.
Note: You can only buy 2 bundles per day, so don’t even think about scalping!
No, it’s part of the ACM All Access ticket. For $12 (locals/PRs), you get entry to Garden of Senses plus all other galleries in the museum, including the “Let’s Play!” exhibition. The admission fee for non-Singaporeans is $25/pax.
Image credit: Chagee x ACM
Yes, the pop-up store by the river is open to the public. However, if you want the exclusive blue Pony Plushie, you’ll need a museum ticket to get the voucher.
Fridays are great because the museum stays open until 9pm. It’s much more chill for a post-work date or a night out with friends. Otherwise, weekdays are when you can avoid the weekend crowds.
Yes! From mid-February onwards, All Access ticket holders can redeem complimentary exclusive tea bags. There are only 3,000 sets available, so faster go before they’re gone.
Image credit: Chagee x ACM
Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or just someone who really likes tea, Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie is a refreshing break from the usual mall-hopping. It’s a chance to slow down, enjoy some beautiful art, and of course, treat yourself to a fresh cup of bubble tea by the river.
Admission: $12 (Singaporeans/PRs) | $25 (Tourists)
Dates: 28th January to 7th June 2026
Venue: Asian Civilisations Museum
Opening hours: Sat-Thu 10am-7pm | Fri 10am-9pm
Photography by Aditi Kashyap.
Cover image adapted from: Chagee x ACM
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