FINANCIAL DISTRICT. The objective of this fascinating museum, the first of its kind in the region, is to present the history of the different cultures of Asia. Throughout the eleven galleries you'll see exhibits focusing on the Singapore River, China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia. It's a comprehensive collection, including even the smallest countries, such as Java. The historically significant building once housed government offices ­ today, in addition to the museum, it also hosts several food and beverage venues operated by the IndoChine Group: Bar Opiume, IndoChine Waterfront Restaurant, and Siem Reap II Café.

The Changi Museum details Singapore during the Japanese occupation of WWII. The complex is comprised of a replica chapel, plus a replica cell identical to one from the original Changi Prison, where many Singaporeans were confined as POWs from 1942-1945. Exhibits show touching portrayals of daily life as a POW, historic photographs and artifacts, large scale murals and storyboards. If you're not familiar with Singapore's WWII history, this is the perfect place to learn some of it, and history buffs will surely be fascinated.

CHINATOWN. Shophouses are two- or three-story buildings unique to Asia ­ most are found in Malaysia and Singapore. Primarily built during the early 1900s, the structures housed businesses on the ground floor and living quarters on the upper floors. This museum occupies three of these structures, displaying different time periods in the history of Singapore's Chinatown. Dioramas are based on the recollections of former residents, and using authentic period details, depict the cramped quarters people shared with extended families and sometimes even strangers. Interesting and inspiring to say the least!

Hua Song, which means "in praise of the Chinese," opened to much acclaim in the spring of 2006. The museum details the inspiring stories of Chinese immigrants, not just those who came to Singapore but those who made their way to distant locales such as Canada, the US and South America. Some well-known individuals are documented, but mostly this is a museum dedicated to the average man and woman and their struggles and successes as they settled in new lands. A series of dioramas depict various scenes of Chinese migrant life, and there are plenty of vintage photos and artifacts to round out the exhibits. Quite fascinating.

From the age of six, Chang Ya Fa collected toys and related ephemera like comics and posters. His collection today amounts to more than 50,000 items, of which only about 3% is actually displayed. The purpose-built five-story structure houses items hailing from some 25 countries, and covers about a century's worth of toymaking. Pre-war Japanese toys, a teddy bear collection, Chinese comic covers from the 1920s, Tintin collectibles, Disneyana, Betty Boop collectibles and a host of other rarities line shelves and walls. Even if you're somewhat curmudgeonly, this museum will boggle your mind!