The Bicentennial Experience

The Singapore Bicentennial in 2019 marks the 200th anniversary of Sir Stamford Raffles’ arrival in Singapore – a key milestone in our rich and storied history. The Bicentennial Experience is a multimedia sensory experience bringing you back in time to witness key moments in Singapore’s transformation from as far back as 1299.

The Bicentennial Experience consist of 2 parts; Time Traveller and Pathfinder. You would need an entry ticket to visit the indoor experience show – Time Traveller.

The Time Traveller

You will start the journey at the atrium by travelling back in time and watch how the forces of nature played a significant role in shaping the rise and fall of port cities. It comprises five acts and spans 60 minutes.

Act 1: Beginnings

Enter a 3-D set and watch live actors on a moving runway breathe new life into the story of early Singapura, a thriving maritime emporium under the rule of Sang Nila Utama and his successors. You will witness the rise and fall with the epic clash of kings and empires in this region for more than three centuries from 1299.

Act 2: Arrival

The arrival of the British in 1819 marked a new trajectory for Singapore. Get on board the ship which brought Raffles to Singapore and soar skywards to see what Singapore looked like back then. Through an elliptical screen, you will have the chance to witness the treaty signing.

Act 3: Connectivity

Singapore evolving further into a bustling metropolis but beneath these glitzy developments were grim realities, especially for those of the labouring masses who had to contend with a whole range of social ills. These prompted prominent members of the various communities to step forward in attempts to address these issues.

Act 4: Occupation

Act 4 consist of audio and actual oral account during the Japanese Occupation.

Act 5: Destiny

Visitors will be handed umbrellas for this Act as you enter the ‘rain’ enclosure. With a recap of scenes from previous Acts, journey through the story of how our nation emerged through the contribution of ordinary people. You will have the chance to walk through Singapore’s first National Day Parade in 1965, where it rained.

Which DNA Trait do you think is the most important to Singapore?

At the conclusion of the experience, visitors will be asked to pick a DNA trait (Multi-culturalism, Openess or Self-determination) that is the most important to Singapore by dropping a ball into the boxes. Based on the overall count, Self-determination is the most important!