Doraemon at National Museum of Singapore

This Friday I had a great day exploring Singapore and shopping! In the morning I first went to Gardens by the Bay, Flower dome, then to National Museum of Singapore to see the cute Doraemon's Time Travelling Adventure in Singapore. I also visited the Singapore History Gallery and the Story of the Forest which features dazzling visual animation by teamLab.

After taking lots of photos of the cute Doraemon, I walked to Plaza Singapura shopping mall to buy some almond shower and hair conditioner and also some facial products as there are promotions by many shops due to Black Friday sale. 

After shopping, I went to Orchard Shake Shack for dinner and then walked to Ngee Ann city Kinokuniya bookshop to read and buy some books.  Before going home,  I went to explore the beautiful Orchard road Christmas light display. 

Doraemon's Time Travelling Adventure in Singapore at the National Museum of Singapore

Story of the Forest by TeamLab at the Glass Rotunda

At Ion Orchard

Free One Year National Gallery Membership

Do you love Art and is Singaporean or Singapore Permanent Resident? If yes, hurry claim your free 1 year membership to National Gallery by 31 October this year for this National Day Parade promotion to Singapore Gallery. Special thanks to my young cousin for alerting me to this promotion by Singapore National Gallery.

I love visiting art gallery to admire painting be it watercolour or acrylic. I love the vast art collection by Wu Guanzhong. Just staying in the art museum makes my soul sing. 

Click National Gallery Singapore website here to sign up for 1 year free membership.

Artwork by artist Wu Guanzhong

Wan Qin Yuan 晚晴园 Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall in Singapore

Did you  know that Singapore played a significant role in the success of Dr Sun Yat Sen's 1911 Xinhai Revolution (辛亥革命) also known as Chinese revolution in China? For hundreds of years, Han Chinese had been plotting to overthrow the Qing rulers after the downfall of Ming dynasty since 1644. Also did you know Taiwan Nationalist flag was first sewn in Singapore by a local merchant's wife? 

Taiwan Flag

Wan Qin Yuan was built and completed in 1902, this double-storey villa was initailly brought by a local Chinese merchant, Teo Eng Hock for his elderly mother. Being a supporter of the Chinese revolutionary cause, he offered this villa to Dr Sun Yat Sen for his revolutionary activities to overthrow the Qing rulers. 

Singapore was the Tong Meng Hui headquarter of the revolutionary movement in Southeast Asia. At Wan Qin Yuan, Sun Yat Sen lived and planned revolutionary activities against the Qing authority . Frustrated with the weak Qing authority who signed several unfair treaties with other nations, ceding Hong Kong to the British for example, Dr Sun was determined to overthrow the Qing dynasty to establish a Republic where everyone is equal. 

At Wan Qin Yuan, you learn more about the history of the villa and its significant role in modern China history. 

How to get to Wan Qin Yuan?

Address: 12 Tai Gin Road, Singapore 327874

You can take MRT transport and alight at Toa Payoh MRT station (N19). Take bus 145 at Toa Payoh Bus station which is just above the MRT. Alight when you see Guan Yin Temple (about 5 stops away) and you can reach by about 5 minutes of walk. 

Entrance is free for Singaporeans and Permanent residents

$2 to $4 for tourists and foreigners.

Opening Hours

Tuesday to Sunday
10am to 5pm

Closed on Mondays

For more information visit Wan Qin Yuan Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall website at http://www.sysnmh.org.sg/SYEPortal/

First published on 21 Dec 2013

 A statue of the great revolutionary leader Dr Sun Yat Sen at Wan Qing Yuan or Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall at Tai Gin Road.

The Nanyang Volunteer Drivers and Mechanics who supported China's wartime efforts against the Japanese between 1939 and 1942

Sharing by Mr Wong Kan Seng, Singapore minister

From left, Mr Teo Eng Hock, Dr Sun Yat Sen and Mr Tan Chor Lam. Mr Teo and Mr Tan contributed greatly to Dr Sun's revolutionary goal.

 Portrait of Mr Lim Nee Soon, a local Chinese businessman who contributed financially to Dr Sun revolution.

 Chinese calligraphy from Dr Sun Yat Sen (Sun Wen was his actual name) to Teo Beng Wan. The words 博爱 bo ai means Universal Love.

 Portrait of Mr Tan Chor Lam who was great writer who wrote Chinese newspapers commentaries condemning the corrupt Qing imperial authority and  to help to spread revolutionary message. He also helped to set up more alliance branches. 

 Woodblock print of the Boxer Rebellion 1900

The Six Men who Saved Wan Qing Yuan exhibition. One of the six men was Mr Lee Kong Chian.

The second floor exhibition

 Advertisement advocating support of Chinese goods made by Chinese.

Portrait of Dr Sun Wen

 Graduation certificate of our former President Mr Ong Teng Chong who graduated from Chinese High School, one of the top schools in Singapore.

 Painting of Dr Sun and his supporters.

Sook Ching during world war 2. (Sook Ching is the massacre of the Chinese in Singapore by japanese soldiers to retaliate the Chinese community in Singapore who supported China)

 Message by Dr Sun 

 Chinatown in the late 19th century

This is a movie about the revolution against the Qing dynasty lead by Dr Sun Wen or Dr Sun Yat Sen.

National Gallery of Singapore

My cousins and I finally visited the National Gallery of Singapore, which is a short 10-minute walking distance from City Hall MRT. Arts by local artists and others regional artists are also on display inside the National Gallery, which used to be the Supreme Court in Singapore. 

I planned to see Wu GuanZhong's gallery but it was not ready yet. So we explored other art galleries. Of all the paintings I saw, I like Georgette Chen and Liu Kang paintings mainly because of the pastel and bright colour combination. 

Admission fees is $20 but it is free entry for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. 

https://www.nationalgallery.sg/visit

National Gallery of Singapore used to be a Supreme Court.

Guided tour in National Gallery

                              Life by the River by Singaporean artist Liu Kang

                       Lotus in a Breeze by Georgette Chen. I love this painting.

                                      Sentosa Island by See Cheen Tee

Artist and Model by Liu Kang

Put Down Your Whip by Xu Beihong

Chinese calligraphy 

Abstract Arts

Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria. Singapore was under British rule before World War 2.

Samsui women constructed many of early Singapore buildings.

Portraits drawing done by the visitors.