Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum

The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) is Singapore’s first and only natural history museum. The museum, which traces its roots to the original Raffles Museum of 1878, is among the oldest such institutions in the region. Established through philanthropic gifts totalling $56 million, LKCNHM aims to be a leader in Southeast Asian biodiversity and conservation research, education and outreach. The exhibition gallery is divided into two levels: 

The main biodiversity gallery, comprising 15 zones, tracks the history of life on earth, among them green plants, fungi, molluscs, arthropods, birds and mammals. The mezzanine floor, home to the heritage zone, presents the history of the Raffles Museum and LKCNHM. This gallery holds the “Cabinets of Curiosities” where visitors can examine Singapore’s history of biodiversity exploration; the people who helped build this; and the biological treasures accumulated over 137 years. A zone titled “Singapore Today” reveals the geology of the island and the important conservation efforts by national agencies.

The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum transports you back in the timeline to the start of life on earth and lets you be aware of the gradual changes into the wide range of flora and fauna of the present time. Heading over to this place, you will be captivated by the heap of tones and types of plants and creatures in 15 distinctive topical zones.

The exhibition halls of the museum have been developing with time to accommodate new regions and support the utilization of novel advances for research and exploration.

The museum not only serves the public’s needs and interests, but it should also enthuse and educate the researchers about new developments and challenges, as well as raise the level of environmental awareness. Guests will be wowed by the star display, a triplet of close total goliath sauropod dinosaur skeletons.

Opened in the year 2015, the public exhibition at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History center is separated into 16 themed zones, with intuitive shows and displays of warm-blooded animal, land, and water proficient, and plant examples.

The star show, found on the fundamental floor, is the triplet of genuine and close total skeletons of goliath sauropod dinosaurs, nicknamed Ruler, Apollonia, and Twinky. Guests can find out about the endeavors made by Singapore to protect its regular habitat and view examples that date as far back as 1849.

With 2,000 specimens on public exhibition, one can't help but marvel at the rich biodiversity, both past and present, as they explore this seven-storeyed structure. Interactive displays throughout the Lee Kong museum help visitors gain a deeper understanding of the complex ecosystems that exist throughout the world, particularly those of the region of Southeast Asia. The phylogenetic garden at the museum displays the evolutionary history of the plant life of the region, showcasing the vivid diversity of the plant kingdom. The beautiful facade of Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum is enveloped by landscaped areas, recreating the natural habitats of the native plants. 

list of best galleries to visit at Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum:

1. Biodiversity Gallery: 

With over 15 zones, learn about the various categories of life forms on Earth and listen to the sounds of birds and singing frogs. Explore the diversity of life on Earth by marvelling at the enormous range of adaptations demonstrated by different organisms!

- Dinosaurs: These are, without a doubt, the gallery's stars. The centre of the gallery is dominated by three Diplodocid Sauropod dinosaurs. They're called Prince, Apollonia, and Twinky, and they're 27 to 12 metres long. They are so tall that you can only come to “eye level” with one of them if you stand on the balcony of the Heritage Gallery, which is one floor above.

- Singapore Sperm Whale: Singapore Sperm Whale is one of the  primary attractions of  the  Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. After a long time a sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus, has been spotted in Singapore's territorial seas.

The conserved and mounted skeleton is on show in the museum and the Singapore Sperm Whale Exhibition, and youngsters can play a game of "find the bones" within the exhibition, and other exhibits have interactive screens and audio headsets to tell you more about the whale.

- Slice Of The Changi Tree: Hopea sangal, also known as chengal pasir, is a rare dipterocarp that is said to be the Changi tree. The lone species was identified in 2002, but illegally felled the same year, and was thought to be locally extinct.

- Neptune’s Cup Sponge: In 1822, this sponge was discovered in Singapore waters for the first time. It was considered to be extinct in the early 1900s until dead sponges were discovered near Singapore's own St. John's Island!

2. Heritage Gallery: 

In the Heritage Gallery, delve into the museum's nostalgic past to discover more about the collection's history and wonder at some of the specimens that were once on show in the old Raffles Museum.

- Leatherback Turtle: One of the museum's most valuable assets is a leatherback turtle specimen in the Heritage Gallery. This specimen was discovered dead on the beach near Siglap by Malay villagers in 1883, and it is still the sole recorded record of a leatherback turtle in Singapore.

- Sunda Pangolin: The Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) is a mammal with keratin-based ‘scales' that cover its body. Keratin is the same protein that makes up our skin and hair! They are hunted for their meat and scales, which are thought to have medicinal properties.

3. Museum Gardens: 

Museum Gardens of the Lee Kong Chian Natural history museum is home to Mangroves, Swamps, Dryland Forest, and Phylogenetic Garden. You will come across diverse habitats and living conditions allowing plants to thrive in it. The colorful and magnificent plants truly dominate the landscape.

4. Mangrove, Swamps And Dryland Forest: 

Plants can be found in a variety of settings, from deep within the forest to land along the ocean. Plants have developed mechanisms such as salt secretion, leaf shedding, and prop roots to cope with the extremes seen in such settings, allowing them to thrive.

5. Phylogenetic Garden: 

Phylogenetic Garden is one of the most sought after places in the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum where you can get to enjoy a wide range of shrub species. You will get to know about the evolution of the plant species upto the present time.

Apart from the garden, you will also come across a beach environment on the north side with interactive mangrove pools replicating the evolution of an equatorial rainforest island.

Workshops at Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum 

1. Animal Classification: 

This workshop, which includes a guided gallery tour and a hands-on activity, seeks to expose the wide range of Singapore's native animals in a fun and interactive way.

The programme will also cover hierarchical classification and binomial nomenclature, with participants having the opportunity to study real specimens in a hands-on session, improving experiential learning even further. 

2. Documenting Nature: 

This programme includes a guided gallery tour that focuses on Singapore's biodiversity, pioneer naturalists in Singapore, and the diverse range of naturalist-documentation techniques. These activities include things like drawing in a nature diary, making a scientific drawing, and making a ‘gyotaku' print to take home.

3. Singapore Biodiversity and Adaptation: 

People will learn about diverse structural adaptations and infer behavioural adaptations from viewing aspects of a variety of animal specimens in this session, which seeks to introduce participants to Singapore's rich biodiversity and unique animal adaptations demonstrated by these creatures.

4. Evolution: 

The goal of this workshop is to introduce the idea of evolution and assist participants have a better knowledge of it. Natural selection, homology, analogy, and phylogeny will be covered, and it is recommended for students in upper secondary school and above who have some prior knowledge of evolution.

5. Marine: 

This session will provide an overview of the Marine ecology, with a focus on Singapore's coral reefs and mangroves. The characteristics of the maritime environment, adaptations, interrelationships, and value of numerous marine creatures will be taught to participants.

The importance of marine environment conservation, as well as the issues and risks it faces, will be explored.

Nature Walks at Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum

1. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve: 

Participants can explore the fascinating mangroves with skilled guides for two hours without getting their feet dirty. This programme is open to school groups and public groups, and it focuses on mangrove ecology and adaptation.

2. MacRitchie Rainforest: 

Participants will be able to explore the lush rainforest at MacRitchie with the help of skilled wildlife guides during this 3-hour walk. It is mostly concerned with forest ecology and conservation. Tall primary forest trees, a variety of creepy crawlies, monkeys, and squirrels are among the sights that participants can anticipate to witness.

3. Pulau Ubin: 

Participants will wander through the sensory trail's plantations, prawn ponds, and some mangroves during this 3-hour trip. You can also see a variety of animal life such as insects and birds, as well as the Oriental Pied Hornbill if you're lucky.

4. Intertidal Walks: 

The focus of this guided tour will be maritime ecology, intertidal ecosystems, and their inhabitants. Sea stars, sea cucumbers, sea anemones, and crabs are among the marine fauna that participants may expect to see up close.

Collections at Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum

1. The NUS Herbarium: 

Around 30000 flowering plant specimens are housed at the herbarium, including 155 wet orchid specimens, 1,660 fern specimens, 700 moss specimens, 100 liverwort specimens, and 1,235 marine algal specimens. The vascular and bryophyte floras of Singapore and Malaysia are mostly represented in the collections.

2. The Zoological Reference Collections: 

The Raffles Museum's zoological collection is worldwide renowned for its pioneering role in Southeast Asian zoological research, with over a million zoological specimens representing at least 10,000 species. Since 1840, the majority of the zoological specimens at the ZRC have come from Southeast Asia.

Galleries 

There are two major galleries at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, further divided into thematic zones in order to fully explore the history of the rich biodiversity spread across the region of Southeast Asia.

Biodiversity Gallery: 

The diversity of life on the Earth can be seen at this gallery, with special attention given to the flora and fauna found in Southeast Asia. The wide variety of the different organisms are spread across multiple themed zones in this gallery, represented by branches of the Tree of Life.

Heritage Gallery: 

Witness the history of the collections of the museum, which were originally a part of the Raffles Museum set up during colonial rule. The original specimens inherited from the Raffles collection can now be found around this gallery.

Highlights of Lee Kong Chian History Museum 

Spread over 8,500 square metres in a seven-storeyed green building, the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum is home to some of the most fascinating specimens showcasing the biodiversity of Southeast Asia as it has been present in the region over the millennia.

• Dinosaurs: The museum's trio of diplodocid sauropod fossils are sure to capture attention, being one of the largest and heaviest creatures to walk the land in the history of the earth. These fossils are more than 80% complete, with two of the exhibits presenting with skulls, making them one of the rarest dinosaur discoveries on the planet.

• JubiLee Whale Exhibit: The first sperm whale to ever be found in Singapore washed up on its shores in 2015, and has been a part of the museum's Mammal zone gallery ever since, measuring about 10.6 m.

• Remnants of the Changi Tree: The tree that gave Changi its name, chengal pasir, was thought to be extinct until 2002 when a lone specimen was found. However, this tree was later illegally cut down, with its remnants now finding its place at this museum.

• Neptune's Cup Sponge: Over-harvested due to its scientific and commercial value, the Neptune's Cup Sponge was thought to be globally extinct for more than a century until 2011, when it was rediscovered at Singapore's southern shores, finding a special place at this museum.

• Leatherback Turtle: The only known sighting of the elusive Leatherback Turtle on Singapore shores more than a century ago is now one of the prime treasures of this museum, housed in the Heritage Gallery.

• Sunda Pangolin: Hunted to the point of global endangerment due to the appeal of its meat and scales, the Sunda Pangolin exhibit at the museum is probably one of the easiest sightings of this adorable creature in the world.

list of best places to eat at Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum:

1. Butter my Buns: 

The cafe at the Stephen Riady Centre of NUS University Town, with its cheeky name, is an absolute sanctuary for college students. The design is simple yet welcoming, and the restaurant is self-service; order, pay, and collect when the buzzer sounds. Waffles, coffee, smoothies, ice cream, and more are just a few of the delightful treats available!

2. Flavours @ UTown: 

As dinnertime approaches, this Chinese stand next to Aston's bustles with groups and groups of students, particularly mainland Chinese students. They serve very delicious Chinese cuisine that you must try!

3. Hwang’s Korean Restaurant: 

Hwang’s Korean Restaurant believes strongly in serving authentic and wholesome food to students at affordable prices. Don't miss out on their pan fried dumplings and variety of exotic meat.

4. Koufu Foodcourt: 

The food halls combine historic Singaporean coffee shop traditions with modern food court management approaches and store designs to create a unique experience. The name of the food courts refers to the Chinese notion that eating good cuisine is a sign of good fortune.

The cuisines available at the food courts vary by location, with many branches offering a selection of regional favourites at very affordable prices!

5.Sapore Italian Restaurant: 

The restaurant's peaceful atmosphere is great for families, children, and couples because it is located in the heart of NUS, surrounded by greenery and abundant environment.

The surroundings are warm, simple, and magnificent, with a touch of Italy on our minimalist feature wall, and the restaurant aspires to provide a great dining experience with handcrafted and healthy Italian food as well as our welcoming hospitality. 

6.Spice Table by Pines: 

Spice Table by Pines serves some of the best Asian Fusion Cuisine, with a delectable menu suited for families, large groups, friends, and coworkers. As a result, it's a great location for guests to savour delectable cuisine in a casual and comfortable setting, ensuring a wonderful dining experience and culinary delight.

7. The Royals Bistro: 

The Royals Bistro is the new multi cuisine restaurant from the Royal Group located in Create Tower. You can come over to this place to enjoy a fine dining experience with your loved ones in its beautiful interiors.

8. Waa Cow: 

Waa Cow! is an unpretentious little café in the back of Marina One that is one of Singapore's best restaurants and a great place for a quick lunch. The restaurant specialises in Japanese beef and rice dishes, as well as being considered one of the best wagyu beef bowls in town. The motifs and typically basic design give the impression of being in a Japanese café.

9. Central Square: 

Traditional Indian vegetarian cuisine is served at the Indian vegetarian restaurant in Singapore Central Square, which is simply offered as a buffet spread with no set pricing.

10. Crave 

The restaurant company is noted for its warm and friendly service and efficiency, emphasising attention to detail in order to provide unique gastronomic taste experiences to demanding Singaporean clients.

Nasi Lemak at the restaurant is produced with the freshest ingredients and cooked using traditional, local, and time-tested ways. Meanwhile, the beverage selection features favourites like Teh Tarik, Teh Halia, and Kopi Ta.

Places to Visit near Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum

1. Haw Par Villa: 

At this Asian cultural park there is a collection of folklore and recounted myths. So, embark on an unforgettable voyage into Chinese folklore, tradition, and mythology. It is one of the world's oldest cultures, and it is full of amazing stories.

Haw Par Villa is a must-see for history fans who want to immerse themselves in Chinese culture and religious beliefs.

2. Singapore Botanic Gardens: 

The oldest garden in Singapore is a treasure trove for plant lovers and people who simply want to enjoy the outdoors. The expansive grounds are also a prominent site for botanical and horticultural study, in addition to being a popular recreation venue for jogging, dining, and simply relaxing.

3. Universal Studios Singapore: 

Universal Studios in Singapore, which is well-known around the world, is igniting a fire of amusement in the hearts of thrill seekers and fun seekers alike. The park is separated into seven different movie-themed zones, each with its own unique design.

It has 24 rides and attractions that promise thrills, laughter, and long-lasting memories, and it is appropriate for individuals of all ages.

4. Science Centre Singapore: 

Science Centre Singapore is a perfect place to inspire the future generation, with over a thousand interactive displays spread across 14 halls. Some of the enjoyable activities can be found at one of the 20 permanent installations, such as the Ecogarden, which features a range of plants that are all growing organically without human intervention.

5. Singapore Cable Car: 

The Singapore Cable Car connects Mount Faber Park's peak to Sentosa Island. The Singapore cable car gives a spectacular visual experience with its 360-degree aerial vista of Sentosa's magnificent HarbourFront Skyline. It is also the first cable car in the world to traverse over a motorway, past a business tower, and across a cruise bay to Sentosa Island. 

Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum Tickets 

Cost

Permanent Residents:

Adult: SGD 16, Child (3 to 12 years old): SGD 9, Senior citizens and disabled person: SGD 9

Non-Residents:

Adult: SGD 21, Child (3 to 12 years old): SGD 13, Child (below 3 years): Free, Senior citizens and disabled person: SGD 13, 

How To Book

Payment at the counter can be made only via NETS or Credit card.

Advance booking of tickets can be done by visiting the SISTIC website or via the SISTIC Hotline (+65 63485555).

E-tickets

Visitors can exercise the option of buying e tickets and then downloading the barcode on the tickets after it is sent to the recipients by email or their mobile devices. The barcode needs to be shown at the gate for entering the museum.

Terms and Conditions

• Group visits are permitted but buying more than 41 tickets together requires the concerned visitor to correspond with nhmvisit@nus.edu.sg for obtaining additional information.

• Citizens and permanent residents of Singapore need to carry their identification cards

• Students have to show their student identity proof at the entrance

• The museum staff and students are eligible for free entry Tuesday through Sunday and on all public holidays.