Singapore City Gallery

The Singapore City Gallery is a free museum about how Singapore plans and builds its city. It is run by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the national land use planning agency. Inside, you can learn how a small island makes room for homes, jobs, parks and transport.

It is in the URA Centre on Maxwell Road, at the edge of Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar. It makes a good, cool stop between temple visits and hawker meals.

What is the Singapore City Gallery?

The gallery opened in 1999. It shows how Singapore has changed over the years and how it plans for the future. Exhibits cover land use, housing, conservation, green spaces and transport. Many displays are interactive, with models, maps and screens.

Singapore has very little land, so planning matters a lot here. The gallery explains the choices behind the skyline you see around you. It is useful if you want to understand the city, not just see it. For more places like this, see our Culture and Heritage list.

What to see and do

The gallery is spread over several sections. Here are the main things to look out for.

• City models: Large architectural models of Singapore help you see how the city fits together.
• Planning exhibits: Learn how the city plans homes, offices, parks and roads for the long term.
• Conservation stories: Find out how old shophouses and districts, like nearby Chinatown, have been kept.
• Interactive displays: Screens and hands-on exhibits make the ideas easy to follow, including for older children.

Exhibits are updated from time to time, so what you see may change. Parts of the gallery are due to close for works from December 2026. Check the official Singapore City Gallery website for opening hours, and to see which areas are open before you go.

How to get to the Singapore City Gallery

The gallery is at 45 Maxwell Road, inside the URA Centre. Maxwell MRT station on the Thomson-East Coast Line is very close. Tanjong Pagar MRT station on the East West Line is also within walking distance. Read our guide on how to use the MRT in Singapore if you are new to the trains.

You can also walk here from the main streets of Chinatown. It is a short and easy walk.

Tips for visiting

• Allow one to two hours. Stay longer if you enjoy maps, models and city design.
• Go in the middle of the day, when it is hottest outside. The gallery is indoors and air-conditioned.
• Pair it with a meal at a nearby hawker centre and a walk through Chinatown.
• Bring a light jacket if you feel the cold indoors.
• The gallery is usually closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Entry is free, which makes it a good choice for travellers on a budget. See our list of free things to do for more ideas.

Food and things to do nearby

Maxwell Food Centre, a well-known hawker centre, is a short walk away. Before you go, read our tips on hawker centre etiquette. For a special sit-down meal, try Born, a fine-dining restaurant on Neil Road. You can also browse more restaurants in Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar.

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is close by. It is a working Buddhist temple, so dress modestly and keep quiet inside. You can also follow the Chinatown Heritage Walk. Or visit the Sri Mariamman Temple, a Hindu temple on South Bridge Road. Remove your shoes before entering and follow the visitor rules.

Nearby hotels include Sofitel Singapore City Centre and Oasia Hotel Downtown. See more hotels in Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar.

FAQs about Singapore City Gallery

Is the Singapore City Gallery free?

Yes, entry is free. Check the official website for opening hours before you go.

Who runs the Singapore City Gallery?

It is run by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, which plans land use in Singapore.

Is the gallery good for children?

Older children often enjoy the city model and the interactive displays. Younger children may lose interest sooner.

How long do you need at the Singapore City Gallery?

Most visitors spend about one to two hours inside.