Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie at ACM: Where Tea Becomes An Immersive Journey

A multi-sensory showcase at ACM invites visitors to see, hear, touch and experience tea as a timeless human ritual, not just a drink.

Venue: Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM)
Dates: 28 Jan – 7 Jun 2026
Time: During museum opening hours (daily)
Fee: ACM All Access Pass — S$12 (Singaporeans & PRs), S$25 (Tourists)

Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie at ACM: Tea, Reimagined Beyond the Cup

Tea may be an everyday comfort, but Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie (茶苑梦) transforms it into an immersive, thought-provoking journey. Presented by the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) in collaboration with international tea brand CHAGEE and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), this first-of-its-kind showcase in Southeast Asia explores tea as a deeply human ritual shaped by centuries of craftsmanship, stories and shared practices.

Moving beyond taste and aroma, the experience unfolds through sight, sound, scent, touch and thought — revealing how tea drinking mirrors human life itself, turning a simple cup into a mindful moment that connects cultures and generations across time.

A Curated Journey Through the Art of Tea

The exhibition unfolds as a progressive journey combining historic collections, contemporary interpretations and new artistic commissions by local creatives.

Highlights include:

• Ashley Yeo’s contemplative installation, featuring floating paper forms inspired by tea leaves, evoking stillness and slowness

• Symphony of Tea by Alecia Neo and composer Clarence Chung, with videography by Jonathan Goh and sound recording by Wesley Meow — a multi-sensory work inspired by ASMR, exploring tea through rhythm, gesture and human connection

• Sculptural installations inspired by tea leaves

• Immersive soundscapes and fragrance-led experiences

• Tactile explorations of tea-making tools

Historic tea wares are presented as 3D-printed replicas alongside contemporary CHAGEE cups, while nature-inspired communal spaces invite visitors to pause, gather and reflect — echoing the social rituals that have long surrounded tea.

CHAGEE ACM Store by the Singapore River: Sips, Collectibles & Exclusives

The experience extends beyond the galleries with the CHAGEE ACM store, launching 29 January, where visitors can enjoy selected beverages and shop a curated range of ACM-only and Singapore-exclusive merchandise.

A key highlight is the CHAGEE Pony Plushie Charm Bundle (S$17.90 with selected drinks), available in two colourways:

• Light-brown version — available to all walk-in customers
• Blue version — exclusive to ACM All Access ticket holders, limited to two bundles per ticket

From 28 January, ACM will issue purchase vouchers to All Access ticket holders, which can be redeemed in stores from 29 January onwards.

The plushie design blends a horse — a nod to ancient tea trade routes — with Singapore’s Merlion, symbolising a meeting of tea heritage and local identity.

Ticketing Details

Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie is presented as part of ACM’s All Access ticket (S$12 for Singaporeans/PRs, S$25 for tourists), which includes entry to all museum exhibitions on the day of visit, such as Let’s Play! The Art and Design of Asian Games.

A Moment to Pause in a Fast-Paced World

Blending art, heritage and sensory exploration, Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie turns tea from a daily habit into a reflective, shared human experience. Whether you’re an art lover, tea enthusiast or simply looking for a unique museum visit, this showcase offers a rare chance to slow down and reconnect — one mindful moment at a time.