Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) is proud to present Heroic Moves: Chinese Martial Arts in Singapore Popular Culture, a travelling exhibition around Singapore that traces how Chinese martial arts plays a role in our culture, entertainment, daily life, through local newspapers, movies, comics and television drama serials from the 1960s to the present day.
Growing up, do you recall watching Chinese Wuxia and Kung Fu television dramas from Hong Kong and Singapore? For fellow comic buffs/collectors, did you collect Chinese martial arts comic books? What’s the difference between Wuxia and Kung Fu? Come on down and visit Heroic Moves: Chinese Martial Arts in Singapore Popular Culture exhibition and check it out!
Heroic Moves: Chinese Martial Arts in Singapore Popular Culture
Heroic Moves: Chinese Martial Arts in Singapore Popular Culture features over 60 objects and images, as well as interactive photo-taking spots. This exhibition explores how Chinese martial arts became an integral part of Singapore’s local popular culture while delivering the values of associated with the chivalrous world of Chinese martial arts.
5 Thematic Zones
There are 5 thematic zones at Heroic Moves: Chinese Martial Arts in Singapore Popular Culture exhibition.
Zone 1 – Overview
The first zone gives an overview of the exhibition themes and the development of Chinese martial arts in Singapore. The following pioneers are spotlighted, Singapore Chin Woo (Athletic) Association and Guang Wu Club, offering Chinese martial arts training to the public.
Zone 2 – Wuxia Novels
Wuxia novels were popular in Singapore during the 1960s, thanks to serialisation by local Chinese newspapers. Check out the reproduced works by three famous Wuxia novelists, Liang Yusheng, Jin Yong and Gu Long. They are showcased through interactive tactile roller, visitors can learn more about Wuxia novels.
Zone 3 – Wuxia and Kung Fu movies
Most people would be able to relate in this zone, the Wuxia and Kung Fu movies that were popular in Singapore, check out those memorabilia such as posters, cards and magazines! Do you remember some of these iconic movies, One-Armed Swordsman (1967), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Drunken Master (1978) and the Ip Man series (2008 to 2019)?
Don’t miss the fun feature, flip books depicting the respective fight styles in Wuxia and Kung Fu movies.
Zone 4 – Chinese Martial Arts Comic Books
Comic book buffs/collectors would love this zone on Chinese martial arts comic books. They were introduced to readers in Singapore in the 1970s. Check out the interactive roller with different clothing options for visitors to customise the overall look of their own Wuxia character.
If you are a fan of local artist Wee Tian Beng’s comic rendition of “Return of the Condor Heroes (1996 to 1998)”, don’t miss this photo spot!
Nostalgia for me when I saw the Return of the Condor Heroes series, I collected them, I think my collection is somewhere in my home!
Zone 5 – Local Wuxia and Kung Fu Television Drama
Our local Wuxia and Kung Fu television drama serials, from the Wuxia dramas in the 1980s, and Kung Fu dramas from the 2000s, do you remember watching them during your growing up years?
Check out the posters, photos and scenes of these TV dramas, including Pursuit (1984), Return of the Condor Heroes (1998), The Challenge (2001), and The Good Fight (2019).
SCCC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alvin Tan, said, “Through this exhibition, we hope to raise public awareness and appreciation of Chinese martial arts; showcase its evolution into a cultural asset beloved by many; and contribute to ongoing efforts to promote Chinese martial arts as an important component of the local Chinese community’s cultural and sporting heritage.”
Travelling Exhibition
Heroic Moves: Chinese Martial Arts in Singapore Popular Culture started off at Westgate Level 1 Courtyard (Outside Main Entrance) from 29th April to 17th May 2026. This travelling exhibition is now at Pasir Ris Mall Level 2 from 18th May to 31st May 2026, before travelling to Junction 8 Level 1 (Outside Toast Box) from 1st June to 14th June 2026, and more venues around Singapore from 29th April to 30th October 2026.
For more details on the travelling exhibition’s other locations and dates, please visit https://singaporeccc.org.sg/events/heroic-moves-chinese-martial-arts-in-singapore-popular-culture-travelling-exhibition/
Admission is free! Share this travelling exhibition on Heroic Moves: Chinese Martial Arts in Singapore Popular Culture with your family, relatives and friends, especially those who love Wuxia, Kung Fu!