Tea lovers, culture seekers, and design enthusiasts are invited to slow down and savor the moment at Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie, a new multi-sensory showcase at the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM). Running from 28 January to 7 June 2026, the immersive experience is presented in collaboration with international tea brand CHAGEE and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
Blending art, heritage, and mindful living, the showcase explores the social and cultural significance of tea across Asia. Through installations that engage sight, scent, sound, touch, taste, and even thought, visitors are guided through how tea has shaped daily rituals, human connection, and moments of pause across generations.
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The journey opens with “(Thought) Shade of Tea,” a sculptural paper installation by artist Ashley Yeo, inspired by the form of tea leaves. Designed as a canopy-like structure, the artwork encourages calm reflection and sets a contemplative tone for the experience.
From there, visitors move into “(Scent) The First Experience of Tea,” where aroma takes center stage. This immersive zone introduces fragrance profiles across tea categories, from green and oolong to darker teas, revealing how chemistry, heat, air, and water unlock tea’s distinctive scents.
The tactile world of tea-making comes alive in “(Touch) Tea Production in China.” Featuring traditional tools alongside imagery from an 18th-century painting series and modern extraction techniques, the zone traces tea’s evolution from handcrafted traditions to contemporary innovation.
Design and ritual converge in “(Sight) Vessels: The Art of Tea Drinking.” Here, 3D replicas of tea vessels from ACM’s collection are displayed alongside modern CHAGEE cups, offering a visual dialogue between historical tea practices and today’s tea culture.
Sound rounds out the experience in “(Sound) Symphony of Tea,” a multimedia installation by artist Alecia Neo, created with composer Clarence Chung, videographer Jonathan Goh, and sound recordist Wesley Meow. Inspired by the rhythms of tea preparation, the work transforms everyday gestures into a meditative, musical experience.
The journey culminates at “(Taste) Where Tea Brings Us Together,” flowing into the CHAGEE Asian Civilisations Museum pop-up store by the Singapore River. Designed as a riverside-inspired communal space, the pop-up invites visitors to pause, connect, and share tea, echoing historic tea trade routes that once connected cultures across Asia.
Opening in early February and running until 7 June 2026, the pop-up features curated beverages and showcase-exclusive merchandise, including items previously available only in CHAGEE stores in China. The space blends modern tea aesthetics with subtle nods to landscape and ritual, extending the museum experience beyond the galleries.
Exclusive to the showcase is the CHAGEE Pony Plushie Charm, available in two colorways. Inspired by horses that once carried tea across ancient trade routes, the design symbolizes movement, exchange, and connection. Details such as the Merlion and Singapore River, along with a teapot inspired by ACM’s tea vessels, bring together tea heritage and Singapore’s iconic landmarks.
Following the pop-up opening, All Access ticket holders may purchase the limited-edition light blue Pony Plushie Charm bundle by presenting the voucher included with their ticket, while stocks last. A light brown variant will be available to walk-in customers as a bundled add-on. Each customer is limited to two bundles per day.
Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie is included in ACM’s All Access ticket, priced at S$12 for Singaporeans and PRs and S$25 for tourists, granting entry to all exhibitions on the day of visit. Additional promotions, including complimentary exclusive tea bags for select ticket holders, will be announced via @chagee.sg and @acm_sg.
Tickets are available via the ACM website and Trip.com, the exclusive online travel agency for the showcase.
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