Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie is a new collaborative exhibition by the ACM, CHAGEE, and the Singapore Tourism Board. Running from January 28 to June 7, 2026, the showcase uses multi-sensory art installations to examine the social and cultural significance of tea in Asia.
Key Highlights:
- Six-Sense Experience: Explores tea through sight, scent, sound, touch, taste, and mindfulness.
- CHAGEE Pop-up: Opening in early February, the on-site store will feature location-exclusive merchandise.
- Duration: Both the exhibition and pop-up will conclude on June 7, 2026.
The Showcase: A Journey Through the Senses
| (Thought) shade of tea The journey begins with a sculptural paper installation by artist Ashley Yeo, inspired by the form of tea leaves. The canopy-like structure creates a calm, contemplative space that encourages visitors to slow down, observe and ease into the experience, setting the tone for mindful exploration. |
(Scent) The first experience of tea
In this immersive zone, fragrance takes centre stage. Visitors encounter aroma profiles across tea categories, from green and oolong to darker teas. Each scent is shaped by chemistry, released when the leaf meets air, heat, and water.
| (Touch) Tea production in China This zone spotlights the craft behind tea-making. Iconic tools, presented alongside images from an 18th-century painting series showing every stage of tea productions as well as modern extraction techniques. This zone traces tea’s evolution from handcraft to innovation, highlighting the human touch behind every cup. |
| (Sight) Vessels: The art of tea drinking Designs have been an integral aspect of tea culture and they evolve across time and cultures. 3D replicas of tea vessels from the Asian Civilisations Museum’s collection are presented alongside contemporary CHAGEE cups, offering a dialogue between historical rituals and modern tea culture. |
| (Sound) Symphony of Tea Artist Alecia Neo, in collaboration with composer Clarence Chung, with videography by Jonathan Goh and sound recording by Wesley Meow presents a multimedia installation inspired by sound, rhythm, gesture and human connection. The work translates the rhythms of tea preparation into a meditative, almost musical experience, inviting visitors to listen as much as they look. |
| (Taste) CHAGEE Asian Civilisations Museum Pop-up store: Where tea brings us together The journey culminates in a riverside-inspired communal space that echoes historic tea trade routes. Extending beyond the galleries, the experience flows into a CHAGEE ACM pop-up store by the Singapore River, where visitors are invited to pause, connect and share tea, continuing a tradition that has long brought people together. |
CHAGEE Pony Plushie charm bundles: Heritage Meets the Singapore River
Meet the CHAGEE Pony: A Blend of History and Style 🐎✨ Grab the exclusive Pony Plushie Charm only at the ACM pop-up! This little traveler celebrates the ancient tea routes, the Singapore River, and the museum’s stunning tea vessel collection.
Which one is yours?
- 🩵 Light Blue: Exclusive to All Access ticket holders (just show your voucher!).
- 🤎 Light Brown: Available for walk-in customers as a bundle add-on.
Limit 2 per person per day—available starting early February while stocks last!
The CHAGEE Riverfront Pop-up
CHAGEE’s Asian Civilisations Museum pop-up store by the Singapore River offers curated selections from CHAGEE’s beverage menu, along with a carefully selected range of merchandise, including items previously only available in CHAGEE stores in China.
From Left to Right: Linglong Porcelain Cup, Jasmine Snow Candle
Designed to reflect the calm, nature-inspired language of the showcase, the pop-up blends modern tea aesthetics with subtle references to landscape and ritual; creating a relaxed space for visitors to continue their tea experience after their museum visit.
This pop-up is a temporary takeover, and Baker & Cook is scheduled to resume its services in July 2026. For more information, please refer to official announcements from Baker & Cook social media pages.
For the full list of Asian Civilisations Museum exclusive merchandise and its respective prices, kindly refer to Annex A.
Ticketing Details and Ongoing Promotions
Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie is presented as part of the Asian Civilisations Museum’s All Access ticket, priced at S$12 for Singaporeans and PRs and $25 for tourists. All Access grants visitors admission to all exhibitions at the museum on the day of their visit, including Let’s Play! The Art and Design of Asian Games.
Limited-time promotions will run throughout the showcase period at the ACM, including:
From early February onwards:
● CHAGEE Pony Plushie Charm bundles with selected beverages (limited to two bundles per customer)
○ Customers who purchase an All Access ticket will receive a voucher, which they can use to purchase the Bundle when the CHAGEE ACM pop-up store opens.
From mid-February onwards:
● Complimentary exclusive tea bags for All Access museum ticket holders (limited to first 3,000 redemptions).
Full redemption details for these promotions will be shared on @chagee.sg and @acm_sg closer to the launch date. Further information can be found in Annex B.
Tickets and further details are available via the ACM website and Trip.com, the exclusive Online Travel Agency (OTA) ticketing platform for the showcase.
Hi-res assets of the Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie and the artist biographies are available for download here.
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