Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time at the National Museum of Singapore
National Day is upon us, and if you’re looking to get in the patriotic mood, here’s one way to do it that’s not just flag-waving and fireworks. Head down to the National Museum of Singapore for Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time – a new multi-sensory exhibition that takes you on a time-travelling adventure through 700 years of SG history.
What is the Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time exhibition about?
Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time is a new permanent interactive exhibition opening at the National Museum of Singapore from 8th August 2025. Entry is free for Singaporeans and PRs, though you’ll need to register for a time slot on the NMS website before heading down. For foreigners, tickets start from $18/person.
The exhibition was created to commemorate SG60, taking you through 700 years of maritime history.
What to expect at the Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time exhibition?
It has been categorised into 4 main segments: introduction, episodes, waterfall, and a final performance.
Introduction
Before you dive in, head to the RFID wristband counter to pick up a band and “adopt” an animal avatar – this lil’ buddy will serve as your guide through the exhibition.
Each avatar helps you unlock different showcases along the way, so don’t worry too much about which one you choose.
Kicking things off, the introduction video sets the tone for what’s ahead. It opens with a sweeping view of Singapore’s skyline – a nod to how far we’ve come.
The fact that the exterior of the exhibit is designed to look like a futuristic time-travelling ship just adds to the immersive vibes.
The journey begins as you step into the Glass Rotunda, where you’ll be greeted by a big suspended LED globe – the first of its kind in any museum in Singapore.
Watch as it lights up with flashes of Singapore’s historical trade routes, from past to present.
Fun fact: the exhibition is housed in the newly revamped Shaw Foundation Glass Rotunda, which was closed for the past 10 months for this makeover. Before this, it played host to Story Of The Forest – an immersive showcase of art and nature – from 2016 to 2024.
Episodes
Our favourite part of the exhibition is a series of immersive episodes that take you on a journey through 700 years of Singapore’s history – all experienced from the POV of the sea.
As you walk along a spiral ramp, each chapter unfolds, drawing you into key moments – from the days before colonisation to present-day Singapore.
But before that, treat your eyes to a glimpse of Singapore’s future, with sweeping majestic views of the city. Spot iconic landmarks such as Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands glistening in the futuristic landscape.
What really caught our eye was Episode 3: Age of Exploration. You’ll get to see Singapore not as the modern supercity of today, but as a humble port city brought to life. The scene comes alive with vivid imagery and visuals of rickshaw coolies weaving through the streets and tongkang boats bustling along the harbour.
Episode 4: Shores of Singapura takes you even further back in time to pre-colonial Singapore, before the skyscrapers. Back then, the island was an untamed landscape of tropical forests and swamps, home to seafarers like the Orang Laut.
Remember your glowing wristband guide? In this episode, it opens up a scene playing out how Sang Nila Utama first discovered and named Singapore. Definitely a way more exciting way to learn than just reading it from a history textbook.
Waterfall
At the end of the spiral ramp, step into a breathtaking digital waterfall that looks like it was taken from the set of Avatar, or a local version of the Northern Lights. Even the floor is interactive too, with pretty dynamic ripples responding to every step you take. As you approach the curtain of falling water, it parts to reveal a moment from Singapore’s past.
Final performance
The journey ends with a final performance on the big screen. But before that, you must first tap your RFID wristband against the corresponding colour on the well to “release” your magical animal into the sea.
When all the avatars are released, they merge into a captivating sequence inspired by the mythology of Pauh Janggi. For the uninitiated, it’s a mythical tree from Malay folklore, said to grow in the middle of the sea and lead to magical realms and legendary heroes. It’s a visual feast you won’t want to miss.
Once the performance is over, bid farewell to your animal tour guide and return the wristband before you leave.
If the final performance has intrigued you to learn more about Malay mythology, feel free to pop by the Singapore History Gallery located right behind. It goes further in-depth into the myths, legends, and cultural practices of our ancestors during pre-colonial times.
Learn more about SG’s maritime history at Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time
Take a different spin on the usual history lessons at the Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time exhibition. The dreamy, immersive exhibits are not just IG-worthy, but also surprisingly educational – making it the perfect family-friendly activity for weekend hangouts.
Date: From 8th August 2025
Time: 10am-7pm (last entry at 6pm)
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Photography by Matin Hakam.