Celebrating a "golden age" of travel, this book retraces the steps of a Grand Tour of South East Asia from the turn of the 20th century to the present day. The Romance of the Grand Tour explores the living heritage of 12 exotic port cities: from Rangoon (Yangon), through the Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca and Singapore and the old Dutch East Indies cities of Batavia (Jakarta) and Surabaya, via Bangkok to former Indochina at Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Phnom Penh and Hanoi, through Manila to Hong Kong. Drawing on archival images and accounts as well as present-day photographs and illustrations, the book captures the romance and excitement of these early Grand Tourists, while presenting contemporary scenes and experiences for 21st-century travellers determined to seek out the legacy of a bygone era.

The story of modern Singapore as told through its living heritage is encapsulated in this handsome book, published to coincide with the 200th anniversary of Singapore's founding as a city-state. Today's vibrant, cosmopolitan country developed a singular identity through the many colourful `ingredients' outlined in this book. Starting with the founding of modern Singapore by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, we review the many events, people, artefacts, legends and lifestyles pre- and post-1819 that contributed to make Singapore the unique city it is today. This is the first book to encompass all aspects of Singaporean heritage, be it sociological, environmental or man-made. Historic personages, monuments, architecture and the arts, cultures and traditions, and flora and fauna are all covered in their many facets. The book showcases how much of 1800s and early 1900s Singapore remains today, thereby presenting a lesser-known side to the city-state - one that is surprisingly historic and richly evocative, a different face to a place more often associated with a stark modernity. Insightful, lively texts by museum director and heritage expert, Kennie Ting, are accompanied by archival images, contemporary photographs, maps and more, to present a comprehensive picture of the city-state - past and present.

The story of modern Singapore as told through its living heritage is encapsulated in this handsome book, published to coincide with the 200th anniversary of Singapore's founding as a city-state. Today's vibrant, cosmopolitan country developed a singular identity through the many colourful 'ingredients' outlined in this book. Starting with the founding of modern Singapore by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, we review the many events, people, artefacts, legends and lifestyles pre- and post-1819 that contributed to make Singapore the unique city it is today. This is the first book to encompass all aspects of Singaporean heritage - be it artistic, cultural or natural heritage. Historic personages, monuments, architecture and the arts, cultures and traditions, and flora and fauna are all covered in their many facets. The book showcases how much of 1800s and early 1900s Singapore remains today, thereby presenting a lesser-known side to the city-state - one that is surprisingly historic and richly evocative, a different face to a place more often associated with a stark modernity. Insightful, lively texts by museum director and heritage expert, Kennie Ting, are accompanied by archival images, contemporary photographs, maps and more, to present a comprehensive picture of the city-state - past and present.

The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) opened in 1997, and has been in its present building by the Singapore River in the heart of the city since 2003. The museum traces its roots to the colonial-period Raffles Library and Museum, founded in the middle of the 19th century. ACM's satellite Peranakan Museum opened in 2008, and presents the art and culture of Southeast Asian mixed-heritage communities. ACM is a National Museum governed by Singapore's National Heritage Board. Singapore's history as a port city that brought people together from all over the world is used here as a means of examining the history of Asia. The objects presented tell stories of the trade and the exchange of ideas that were the result of international commerce, as well as the flow of religions and faith through Asia. Director Kennie Ting has chosen his personal favourites from the collection, collaborating with ACM curators to provide readers with insightful descriptions of these masterpieces as well as a broad introduction to the museum.