Singapore – 28 January 2026 — Tea takes center stage in a new multi-sensory experience at the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM), where art, history, and ritual converge in Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie. Running from 28 January to 7 June 2026, the immersive showcase is presented in collaboration with international tea brand CHAGEE and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), inviting visitors to explore tea’s enduring role across Asian cultures through sight, scent, sound, touch, taste—and even thought.
More than an exhibition, Garden of Senses transforms the humble cup of tea into a contemplative journey through time and tradition. Contemporary installations, historical references, and interactive environments trace how tea drinking has shaped daily life, trade routes, and artistic expression across centuries.
A Journey Through the Senses
The experience opens with “Shade of Tea,” a sculptural paper canopy by artist Ashley Yeo inspired by tea leaves. The installation encourages visitors to slow down and enter a reflective state, setting the mood for mindful exploration.
In the scent zone, fragrance becomes the focal point as guests encounter aromatic profiles from green and oolong teas to darker varieties. Scientific explanations reveal how air, heat, and water release the complex chemistry behind tea’s distinctive aromas.
The touch segment spotlights tea production in China, displaying traditional tools alongside imagery from an 18th-century painting series that chronicles every stage of tea-making, complemented by modern extraction techniques that highlight the evolution from handcrafted processes to innovation.
Under sight, visitors discover how tea vessels evolved across regions and eras. Three-dimensional replicas from ACM’s collection are presented alongside contemporary CHAGEE cups, creating a visual dialogue between historical rituals and modern tea culture.
Sound takes center stage in “Symphony of Tea,” a multimedia installation by artist Alecia Neo and composer Clarence Chung, with videography by Jonathan Goh and sound recording by Wesley Meow. Translating the rhythms of tea preparation into meditative audio-visual patterns, the piece invites guests to listen as closely as they observe.
The final stop, taste, leads visitors beyond the galleries to a riverside-inspired communal space—and into CHAGEE’s ACM pop-up store by the Singapore River—where the tradition of sharing tea continues in a relaxed, social setting.
CHAGEE Riverfront Pop-Up and Exclusive Merchandise
Opening in early February and running until 7 June, CHAGEE’s riverfront pop-up offers a curated beverage menu alongside showcase-exclusive merchandise, including items previously available only in China. Designed to mirror the exhibition’s nature-inspired aesthetic, the temporary takeover blends modern tea culture with subtle references to landscape and ritual.
Among the highlights are exclusive items such as the Linglong Porcelain Cup and Jasmine Snow Candle, crafted to extend the sensory experience beyond the museum visit.
Pony Plushie Charms: Tea Heritage Meets Singapore Icons
Exclusive to the showcase is the CHAGEE Pony Plushie Charm, available in two colorways. Drawing inspiration from horses that once transported tea along ancient trade routes, the design incorporates Singapore’s Merlion and the Singapore River, along with a teapot inspired by ACM’s historical vessels.
All Access ticket holders may purchase the limited-edition light blue variant as part of a bundled set upon the pop-up’s opening, while walk-in customers can access the light brown version, subject to availability. Each guest is limited to two bundles per day.
Tickets and Special Promotions
Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie is included in ACM’s All Access ticket, priced at S$12 for Singaporeans and permanent residents and S$25 for tourists. The pass grants entry to all exhibitions on the day of the visit, including Let’s Play! The Art and Design of Asian Games.
Limited-time promotions during the showcase period include CHAGEE Pony Plushie Charm bundles with selected beverages and complimentary exclusive tea bags for the first 3,000 All Access ticket holders starting mid-February.
Tickets and further details are available via the ACM website and Trip.com, the official online travel agency for the showcase.
Blending contemporary art with centuries-old tradition, Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie offers visitors a chance to slow down, reconnect with the senses, and rediscover how tea continues to shape culture—one mindful sip at a time.
