Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco

Special Exhibition

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Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco reunites a set of 84 hand-carved model pagodas for the first time in over a century. Originally made in Shanghai, they travelled thousands of miles away to San Francisco for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915 – a massive world’s fair that attracted over 18 million visitors during its 288-day run.

Exquisitely detailed, the models are based on real structures, and embody the diversity of iconic pagodas from different regions and historical periods. For many visitors to the exposition they offered a first, tantalising glimpse of China’s rich architectural heritage. Together with related works, they paint a vivid picture of cosmopolitan Shanghai and San Francisco at the turn of the twentieth century.

Pagoda Odyssey will be complemented by Towers of Faith, a photography display of religious landmarks in Singapore, and Journey into the Pagoda, a virtual reality fantasy experience. The exhibition will also be accompanied by a series of public programmes, including weekend festivals, curator-led tours, and talks.

31 May 2024 - 1 June 2025
Daily - 10am - 7pm
Fridays - 10am - 9pm
Ticketed
31 May 2024 - 1 June 2025
Daily - 10am - 7pm
Fridays - 10am - 9pm
Ticketed

Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco reunites a set of 84 hand-carved model pagodas for the first time in over a century. Originally made in Shanghai, they travelled thousands of miles away to San Francisco for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915 – a massive world’s fair that attracted over 18 million visitors during its 288-day run.

Exquisitely detailed, the models are based on real structures, and embody the diversity of iconic pagodas from different regions and historical periods. For many visitors to the exposition they offered a first, tantalising glimpse of China’s rich architectural heritage. Together with related works, they paint a vivid picture of cosmopolitan Shanghai and San Francisco at the turn of the twentieth century.

Pagoda Odyssey will be complemented by Towers of Faith, a photography display of religious landmarks in Singapore, and Journey into the Pagoda, a virtual reality fantasy experience. The exhibition will also be accompanied by a series of public programmes, including weekend festivals, curator-led tours, and talks.

Programmes

Look out for upcoming programmes' registration details on our website or at acmevents.peatix.com.

Discovering Chinese Pagodas

31 May 2024 – 1 June 2025
Level 2
Museum operating hours
Free admission

Visit this interpretive space to learn about aesthetic and cultural significance of Chinese pagodas, as well as how they continue to shape our understanding of Chinese architecture today.

Be inspired by pagoda tales and create layered paper art, touch and explore 3D-printed replica pagodas, and immerse yourself in a fantastical VR experience inspired by a pagoda from the special exhibition.

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Discovering Chinese Pagodas

31 May 2024 – 1 June 2025
Level 2
Museum operating hours
Free admission

Visit this interpretive space to learn about aesthetic and cultural significance of Chinese pagodas, as well as how they continue to shape our understanding of Chinese architecture today.

Be inspired by pagoda tales and create layered paper art, touch and explore 3D-printed replica pagodas, and immerse yourself in a fantastical VR experience inspired by a pagoda from the special exhibition.

Journey into the Pagoda: A VR Experience

31 May 2024 – 1 June 2025
Level 2
Discovering Chinese Pagodas activity space
Museum's operating hour
Free admission

Step into an architectural marvel and immerse yourself in its intricate design in this VR experience inspired by the architecture and folklore of the Pagoda of Six Harmonies in Hangzhou.

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Journey into the Pagoda: A VR Experience

31 May 2024 – 1 June 2025
Level 2
Discovering Chinese Pagodas activity space
Museum's operating hour
Free admission

Step into an architectural marvel and immerse yourself in its intricate design in this VR experience inspired by the architecture and folklore of the Pagoda of Six Harmonies in Hangzhou.

Pagoda Land

31 May 2024 – 1 June 2025
Lobby
Museum operating hours
Free admission

The LEGO brick models on display in this space are inspired by models from the special exhibition. Build your own pagoda with paper templates or LEGO bricks, or try your hand at creating LEGO wall art.

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Pagoda Land

31 May 2024 – 1 June 2025
Lobby
Museum operating hours
Free admission

The LEGO brick models on display in this space are inspired by models from the special exhibition. Build your own pagoda with paper templates or LEGO bricks, or try your hand at creating LEGO wall art.

The Pagoda Quest: Journey through a World of Pagodas

Activity Trail Booklet
31 May 2024 – 1 June 2025

Suitable for ages 7 and up
Free
Available in English or Chinese, onsite and online.

ENGLISH download here.
CHINESE download here.

Pick up an activity trail booklet, collect “treasures” on the Pagoda Quest, and redeem exclusive stickers at the Visitor Services Counter upon completion.

Suitable for ages 7 and up. Available in English or Chinese.

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The Pagoda Quest: Journey through a World of Pagodas

Activity Trail Booklet
31 May 2024 – 1 June 2025

Suitable for ages 7 and up
Free
Available in English or Chinese, onsite and online.

ENGLISH download here.
CHINESE download here.

Pick up an activity trail booklet, collect “treasures” on the Pagoda Quest, and redeem exclusive stickers at the Visitor Services Counter upon completion.

Suitable for ages 7 and up. Available in English or Chinese.

Children’s Season at ACM: Curious and Wonderful

1 – 2 June; 11am to 5pm
Free admission to most activities

Enjoy discounted admission to Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco during programme hours ($10 for Singapore citizens/PRs; $20 for foreign residents/tourists).

Embark on a whimsical journey at ACM this Children’s Season, where innovation and creativity collide. Explore quirky objects in the galleries and uncover the spellbinding stories behind them. Put on your inventor’s cap and unleash your imagination through craft and design activities. Get ready to be inspired as we explore the wonders of innovation!

Collect a mystery voucher worth $5 when you purchase a museum admission ticket.* 

*Giveaways are on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited to the first 50 visitors per day during programme hours. Limited to one voucher redemption per ticket. While supplies last. 

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Children’s Season at ACM: Curious and Wonderful

1 – 2 June; 11am to 5pm
Free admission to most activities

Enjoy discounted admission to Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco during programme hours ($10 for Singapore citizens/PRs; $20 for foreign residents/tourists).

Embark on a whimsical journey at ACM this Children’s Season, where innovation and creativity collide. Explore quirky objects in the galleries and uncover the spellbinding stories behind them. Put on your inventor’s cap and unleash your imagination through craft and design activities. Get ready to be inspired as we explore the wonders of innovation!

Collect a mystery voucher worth $5 when you purchase a museum admission ticket.* 

*Giveaways are on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited to the first 50 visitors per day during programme hours. Limited to one voucher redemption per ticket. While supplies last. 

Crossing Cultures: Otherworldly

8 – 9 June; 4pm to 9pm
Free admission to most activities

Enjoy discounted admission to Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco during programme hours ($10 for Singapore citizens/PRs; $20 for foreign residents/tourists).

Embark on a journey into a realm beyond our world. For one weekend only, explore the mythologies of Asia through exciting activities and performances.

About Crossing Cultures at ACM

Taking inspiration from objects in the galleries, Crossing Cultures explores ACM's collection through performing arts, craftsmanship, food traditions, wellness practices, and other aspects of intangible cultural heritage – past and present. Dive deep into Asia’s rich heritage with these special weekend programmes. Learn, explore, and create with us at ACM.

Crossing Cultures at ACM takes place on the first weekend of March, June, September, and December. Stay tuned for more details about our upcoming sessions.

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Crossing Cultures: Otherworldly

8 – 9 June; 4pm to 9pm
Free admission to most activities

Enjoy discounted admission to Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco during programme hours ($10 for Singapore citizens/PRs; $20 for foreign residents/tourists).

Embark on a journey into a realm beyond our world. For one weekend only, explore the mythologies of Asia through exciting activities and performances.

About Crossing Cultures at ACM

Taking inspiration from objects in the galleries, Crossing Cultures explores ACM's collection through performing arts, craftsmanship, food traditions, wellness practices, and other aspects of intangible cultural heritage – past and present. Dive deep into Asia’s rich heritage with these special weekend programmes. Learn, explore, and create with us at ACM.

Crossing Cultures at ACM takes place on the first weekend of March, June, September, and December. Stay tuned for more details about our upcoming sessions.

National Day Open House

9 August; 1pm – 6.30pm
Free admission to most activities

Enjoy discounted admission to Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco during programme hours ($10 for Singapore citizens/PRs; $20 for foreign residents/tourists).

Experience Singapore’s rich heritage and collection through an outdoor installation, hands-on activities, and captivating tours for the family at the National Day Open House at ACM.

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National Day Open House

9 August; 1pm – 6.30pm
Free admission to most activities

Enjoy discounted admission to Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco during programme hours ($10 for Singapore citizens/PRs; $20 for foreign residents/tourists).

Experience Singapore’s rich heritage and collection through an outdoor installation, hands-on activities, and captivating tours for the family at the National Day Open House at ACM.

ACM Adventures: Enchanting Pagodas

25 August; 11am – 3pm
Free admission to most activities

Enjoy discounted admission to Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco during programme hours ($10 for Singapore citizens/PRs; $20 for foreign residents/tourists).

Discover the beauty of Asian architecture through a storytelling session in the galleries and an interactive drama performance. Then, create your own miniature pagoda.

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ACM Adventures: Enchanting Pagodas

25 August; 11am – 3pm
Free admission to most activities

Enjoy discounted admission to Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco during programme hours ($10 for Singapore citizens/PRs; $20 for foreign residents/tourists).

Discover the beauty of Asian architecture through a storytelling session in the galleries and an interactive drama performance. Then, create your own miniature pagoda.

Light to Night at ACM 2025

Dates to be announced

Enjoy discounted admission to Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco during programme hours ($10 for Singapore citizens/PRs; $20 for foreign residents/tourists).

The museum transforms into a dazzling wonderland at Light to Night at ACM 2025. Join interactive installations, captivating performances, and vibrant festivities as we illuminate the night and celebrate the magic of creativity!

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Light to Night at ACM 2025

Dates to be announced

Enjoy discounted admission to Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco during programme hours ($10 for Singapore citizens/PRs; $20 for foreign residents/tourists).

The museum transforms into a dazzling wonderland at Light to Night at ACM 2025. Join interactive installations, captivating performances, and vibrant festivities as we illuminate the night and celebrate the magic of creativity!

Pagoda Odyssey: Curator Tours

28 Jun, 26 Jul, 30 Aug, 27 Sept 2024; 7.30pm
$25 per participant

Join curator Kevin Lam on an exclusive tour of the Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco special exhibition. Discover fascinating facts about the 84 pagoda models and get behind-the-scenes insights into the curation of the exhibition.

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Pagoda Odyssey: Curator Tours

28 Jun, 26 Jul, 30 Aug, 27 Sept 2024; 7.30pm
$25 per participant

Join curator Kevin Lam on an exclusive tour of the Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco special exhibition. Discover fascinating facts about the 84 pagoda models and get behind-the-scenes insights into the curation of the exhibition.

Pagoda Odyssey Weekend Festival: EAST-MEETS-WEST

22 – 23 Feb 2025; 11am to 5pm
Enjoy discounted admission to Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco during programme hours ($10 for Singapore citizens/PRs; $20 for foreign residents/tourists).

Embark on an East-meets-West cultural odyssey! Experience different cultural traditions blending together through mesmerising performances, engaging hands-on activities, and interactive exhibits.

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Pagoda Odyssey Weekend Festival: EAST-MEETS-WEST

22 – 23 Feb 2025; 11am to 5pm
Enjoy discounted admission to Pagoda Odyssey 1915: From Shanghai to San Francisco during programme hours ($10 for Singapore citizens/PRs; $20 for foreign residents/tourists).

Embark on an East-meets-West cultural odyssey! Experience different cultural traditions blending together through mesmerising performances, engaging hands-on activities, and interactive exhibits.

Symposium, Conference, and Talks

Look out for a series of talks accompanying the special exhibition, which bring together experts from different fields to discuss various aspects of pagodas.

Visit the ACM website for the updated schedule: What's On at ACM (nhb.gov.sg)

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Symposium, Conference, and Talks

Look out for a series of talks accompanying the special exhibition, which bring together experts from different fields to discuss various aspects of pagodas.

Visit the ACM website for the updated schedule: What's On at ACM (nhb.gov.sg)

School and Access Programmes

Guided tours and hands-on workshops are available for schools and access and community groups. For more enquiries: nhb_acm_edu@nhb.gov.sg
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School and Access Programmes
Guided tours and hands-on workshops are available for schools and access and community groups. For more enquiries: nhb_acm_edu@nhb.gov.sg

Guided Tours for Public

Guided tours for public English or Mandarin Free Guided tours led by our volunteer guides in English or Mandarin will be available from July onwards. Visit the ACM website for the updated schedule: Daily Guided Tours (nhb.gov.sg)
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Guided Tours for Public
Guided tours for public English or Mandarin Free Guided tours led by our volunteer guides in English or Mandarin will be available from July onwards. Visit the ACM website for the updated schedule: Daily Guided Tours (nhb.gov.sg)

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