The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM), in partnership with international tea brand Chagee and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), announced on Monday the launch of Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie, an immersive exhibition exploring tea as a human ritual shaped by centuries of tradition and creativity. The showcase runs daily from Jan. 28 to June 7.
The exhibition invites visitors to experience tea beyond taste and smell, incorporating sight, touch, and sound to highlight its cultural and social significance. Organizers said the multi-sensory approach aims to reconnect visitors with the reflective and communal aspects of tea drinking.
“This co-curated showcase marks the ACM’s first collaboration with a global lifestyle brand,” said Clement Onn, director of the Asian Civilisations Museum and Peranakan Museum. “By integrating museum collections with contemporary practices, we offer visitors a fresh way to engage with cultural traditions and explore tea’s universal role across Asia.”
Lawrence Wen, CEO of Chagee Singapore, said the exhibition reflects tea’s ongoing role as a cultural connector. “Tea has always brought people together across generations and geographies,” he said. “We’re proud to collaborate with ACM and STB to present tea not just as heritage, but as a living ritual that continues to evolve today.”
The exhibition also aligns with STB’s strategy of combining local attractions with global brands to enhance Singapore’s destination appeal. Kenneth Lim, assistant chief executive of STB’s marketing group, said the collaboration creates “a fresh and compelling experience for visitors, strengthening Singapore’s position as a hub for authentic and innovative cultural experiences.”
Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie features historic collections, contemporary interpretations, and new commissions from local artists. Installations include Ashley Yeo’s floating paper sculptures evoking tea leaves, and Alecia Neo’s Symphony of Tea, a collaborative work with composer Clarence Chung, videographer Jonathan Goh, and sound recordist Wesley Meow, which explores tea through sound, rhythm, and human interaction.
Visitors can also engage with sculptural installations inspired by tea leaves, immersive soundscapes, fragrances, and tactile explorations of tea-making tools. 3D-printed replicas of historic teawares, contemporary Chagee cups, and communal spaces encourage reflection and social interaction, emphasizing tea as a living cultural practice.
The exhibition extends to a Chagee pop-up along the Singapore River, offering beverages and merchandise previously available only in China. Exclusive plush charms combining a horse, referencing ancient tea routes, with Singapore’s Merlion will be available in a limited edition for ticket holders.
Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie is included in ACM’s All Access ticket, priced at S$25 for tourists and S$12 for Singaporeans and permanent residents, granting access to all exhibitions on the day of visit.
