The park was originally named Tiger Balm Gardens, named after the famous medicinal ointment developed by the founders' brother.
The 1,000+ statues were hand-crafted using concrete and plaster, then hand-painted with vibrant, sometimes grotesque, colors.
The Ten Courts of Hell exhibit is built into a massive artificial grotto designed to replicate the trials of the underworld.
The creators, Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, were Burmese-Chinese entrepreneurs who made their fortune from the Tiger Balm brand.
The park includes dioramas illustrating scenes from classic Chinese literature, including Journey to the West and Madame White Snake.
Many statues were designed to emphasize filial piety, a core Confucian virtue.
The park features a statue of the Laughing Buddha, contrasting with the intense, darker themes present in other areas of the grounds.
In the 1950s and 60s, it was a major tourist attraction, but it has since transitioned into a niche cultural site.
Haw Par Villa is an outdoor art park featuring over 1,000 statues and 150 dioramas depicting Chinese folklore, legends, and moral values. Originally built in 1937 by Aw Boon Haw, the park was designed as a philanthropic tool to educate the public on Confucianism and Buddhism. Its most distinctive feature is the Ten Courts of Hell, a cavernous, vivid exhibit illustrating traditional afterlife punishments. The site underwent significant restoration in 2021 to preserve its unique, often surreal aesthetic. The grounds cover approximately 8.5 hectares of landscaped gardens and hillsides along the Singapore coast. The park integrates Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian themes into static displays that range from whimsical animals to graphic scenes of retribution. It remains one of the few remaining examples of 1930s 'nanyang' style theme park design in Southeast Asia.
The entrance gate with its ornate, colorful Chinese-style archway and the larger-than-life sculptures of various deities.
Apply mosquito repellent before entering, as the dense garden landscaping attracts insects.
Bring an umbrella or hat, as the majority of the park consists of outdoor paths with limited shade.
Take time to read the detailed placards in front of the dioramas to understand the complex mythological stories.
Do not attempt to touch or climb on the sculptures, as they are fragile historical artifacts.
Modest clothing is recommended as the park contains religious imagery; maintain a respectful volume, especially inside the grotto exhibits.
