The private visit at The Intan

Why it is on the list

The Intan is a private house in Joo Chiat, Alvin Yapp's home, and he guides visitors through it himself.^{1 2 3} The collection is 30 years of Peranakan antiques: porcelain, rosewood furniture, beadwork and embroidery, bought in Singapore, Malacca and Penang and as far away as India, China and England.^{2 4 3} It was Singapore's first home museum, joined the National Heritage Board's Museum Roundtable in 2010, won Best Overall Experience at the NHB Museum Roundtable Awards in 2011 and a Singapore Experience Award for attractions in 2016.^{3 5}

It is the wrong choice for a guest who cannot manage stairs: the second gallery is upstairs, and for visitors with a walking aid pieces are brought down to the lower floor instead.³ For contemporary art rather than heritage, take the private viewing at STPI.

How to get it

Write to contactus@the-intan.com or call +65 6440 1148; visits are strictly by appointment.¹ Ask for a private visit: the scheduled Tea Experience runs 60 minutes on Friday at 4pm, Saturday at 10am and 4pm and Sunday at 4pm, at SGD 64.20 an adult and SGD 32.10 a child under 12; private visits are arranged by email.³ For a meal, ask for the private lunch or dinner: 90 minutes, hosted by Yapp, a platter of seven Nyonya main dishes with rice coloured with butterfly pea; cost and dates are given on request.³ The house also takes customised visits for private groups and meals for special occasions, for up to 40 guests.^{3 6} Cancelling or postponing may incur a fee.³

Discretion

It is a lived-in house, not a public museum: there are no walk-in hours, and every visit is booked ahead.¹ Photography is welcome on the lower floor of the house.³ The same rooms are booked for weddings, photo shoots and corporate meetings, and hold the scheduled tea sessions from Friday to Sunday, so a private visit is best set on another day.^{6 3}