Haw Par Villa, formerly known as the Tiger Balm Garden, is an 8.5-hectare Asian cultural park built in 1937. It reopens in July 2021 for families to embark on a journey into Chinese folklore, legend and mythology.
Venue: 262 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118628
Opening Hours: 9 am - 10 pm (Daily)
Admission: Free
Located on a hill in Pasir Panjang, Haw Par Villa was once known as Tiger Balm Gardens. It was built in 1937 by Myanmar-born businessman Aw Boon Haw for his brother, Aw Boon Par, the park was named after the Tiger Balm medical ointment that the siblings’ father had created.
The park reflects Boon Haw’s deep passion for Chinese culture and mythology with over 1,000 statues and 150 dioramas, depicting surreal scenes from legendary works of Chinese literature such as Journey To The West, Madame White Snake, and the stories of the Eight Immortals.
Ten Courts of Hell
The Ten Courts Of Hell holds many memories (and nightmares) for many parents today as they visited as kids. It is the park's most famous attraction, for its vivid depictions of the Ten Courts of Hell from Chinese folklore.
The Ten Courts of Hell is currently under-construction will be part of a new attraction called Hell's Museum. This will reopen on 28 Oct 2021, and will be fully air-conditioned!
A Journey Through Chinese Mythology
The rest of the park is a journey with statues and through scenes from various Chinese literature. Through information boards, families may also read about the various stories and learn more about the Chinese culture too.
BYKIDO NOTE: We advise caution when visiting with kids as the scenes may appear frightening and some less appropriate. While we feel it is interesting to visit, it's kids-friendliness will vary from kid to kid, family to family. Kids may get frightened by these statues or ask some tough questions after.
Other Activities
Fish Feeding
Throughout the parks are ponds and fish feed that you may purchase to feed the fishes and terrapin in the ponds. You simply pay $1 to the honesty box and pick up your fish feed! You will quickly notice the fishes and terrapins go towards you as you approach the ponds.
We also came across a stand with Bubbles Wands at $2 too.
Tours
The park organises daily tours, Finding Your Tao In Haw Par Villa, which shares the intriguing stories behind the park. This 1 hour tour is available daily at 9.30 am and cost $10 per adult and $5 per child (7 - 12 yrs old).
For those who are brave, you may join the Journeys To Hell tour. This tour runs every Fri night from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm. As the name suggest, you will be going through the new Hell's Museum and the infamous 10 Courts of Hell! Tickets are available at $20 per adult and $10 per child (7 - 12 yrs old).
This tours are being upgraded and more information will be provided later.
Getting To Haw Par Villa
By Public Transport
The nearest MRT station is Haw Par Villa Station. You can also take buses 10, 30, 30e, 51, 143, 175, 176, 188, 200, 589 to the bus-stops around the park.
By Car
The park is located at 262 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118628, Carpark is available at $5 per entry and is payable by cash. You may wish to park at the nearby Alexendra Retail Centre with free parking on selected timing too.
For more information, visit Haw Par Villa official website.
