Malay Heritage Centre
A museum of Malay Singaporean history in the former istana of Kampong Glam, the palace of the sultan Raffles dealt with.
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The Istana Kampong Glam was built in the 1840s for Sultan Ali Iskandar Shah, son of the Hussein Shah who signed with Raffles, on land granted to the Malay royal house, and it stayed in the family until the state took it over. It opened as the Malay Heritage Centre in 2005, with galleries on the Malay communities of Singapore, the port and the region, in the palace and the smaller Gedung Kuning beside it.
What you actually see
- The istana - the 1840s palace of the Malay royal house of Singapore.
- Gedung Kuning - the yellow mansion beside it, built for the sultan's family.
- The galleries - Malay Singaporean history, trade and cultural life.
- The grounds - the compound at the centre of Kampong Glam.
When to go
Year round; the centre closes on Mondays and has had extended closures for redevelopment, so checking ahead matters. Ramadan brings a large night market to the surrounding streets. Mornings are quietest.
Honest expectations
The centre has closed for long periods for redevelopment; confirm it is open before going. The galleries are modest in size. Kampong Glam around it has gentrified heavily.
Nearby
The Sultan Mosque is in front, and Haji Lane is nearby.
What to pack for Malay Heritage Centre
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
