The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM), in collaboration with international tea brand CHAGEE and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), presents Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie, a multi-sensory showcase exploring the rich social significance of tea across Asia through art installations and interactive experiences.
Engaging our five senses – sight, scent, sound, touch, taste, and the sense of thought, this contemporary showcase reveals how tea drinking reflects the rhythms of human life, turning a simple cup into a moment of mindfulness that spans across cultures and time. The showcase will run from 28 January to 7 June 2026 at the Asian Civilisations Museum.
CHAGEE’s Asian Civilisations Museum pop-up store is also set to open its doors to members of the public in early February this year. The pop-up will operate until 7 June, featuring showcase-exclusive merchandise available only at this location.
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
Exclusive to the showcase is a specially designed CHAGEE Pony Plushie Charm, available in two colourways.
Inspired by horses that once carried tea across ancient trade routes, the charm reflects movement, exchange and connection. The inclusion of Singapore’s Merlion references the Lion City and the Singapore River, where the showcase and CHAGEE’s ACM pop-up store is located. The teapot included is thoughtfully inspired by the tea vessels presented by the Asian Civilisations Museum. The overall design subtly brings tea heritage and Singapore’s iconic landmark together.
Following the opening of CHAGEE’s ACM pop-up store in early February, All Access ticket holders can purchase the limited-edition light blue variant in-store as a bundled set, while stocks last. Simply present the purchase voucher included with the All Access Ticket at the CHAGEE counter to purchase. A light brown variant will be available to walk-in customers as a bundled add-on, while stocks last. Each customer is limited to two Pony Plushie Charm Bundles per day.
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.
