Located in the modern Doca de Alcântara, in a restored former 1940s port warehouse, the Museu do Oriente, inaugurated in May 2008, tells the long-standing relationship between Portugal and Asia, highlighting the cultural legacy of Portuguese discoveries on the global stage.

The permanent collection is divided into two main sections: the section dedicated to the Portuguese presence in Asia, with over a thousand pieces including Chinese and Japanese screens from the 17th-18th centuries, Namban art objects, porcelain from the East India Company, and artifacts from the people of Timor; ; the Kwok On Collection, with over 13,000 works showcasing Asian performative, religious, and mythological arts (puppets, masks, costumes, ritual games, deity figures, and more).

The museum tour unfolds in a dark space where focused light enhances each artwork, divided by geographical areas (Japan, China, India, Timor, Southeast Asia), and complemented by temporary exhibitions, workshops, concerts, and cultural activities related to contemporary Asia.