Did you know that long before USS (Universal Studios Singapore) arrive upon our shores, we already had Haw Par Villa (previously known as Tiger Balm Gardens). This 77-years old Chinese mythological park was built in 1937, making it Singapore's very first, and oldest themed park to date.
Built by Aw Boon Haw for his brother Boon Par, this pair of Burmese brothers arrived in Singapore during the 1920s with their father's secret recipe to the Tiger Balm ointment. Yes, the people who built Haw Par Villa are the very same people behind Tiger Balm.
Tiger Balm not only make a name for itself in the region but internationally as well.
The park did not started off as the park we see today. Aw Boon Haw had bought the land and built a villa for his younger brother to thank him for helping with the business.
But, the war came and the brothers fled back to Burma where Boon Par passed away. After the war, Boon Haw returned to Singapore and had the villa demolished. In its place stood sculptures depicting traditional Chinese folk tales and mythology. The finished park was then opened free to the public who came in huge numbers.
Tiger Balm not only make a name for itself in the region but internationally as well.
The park did not started off as the park we see today. Aw Boon Haw had bought the land and built a villa for his younger brother to thank him for helping with the business.
But, the war came and the brothers fled back to Burma where Boon Par passed away. After the war, Boon Haw returned to Singapore and had the villa demolished. In its place stood sculptures depicting traditional Chinese folk tales and mythology. The finished park was then opened free to the public who came in huge numbers.
Decades later, the Aw family sold
the site to the Singapore Government who tried to turn it into a
amusement park with water rides and stage performances and charging
exorbitant entrance fees. The people were irked and decided to stop
coming. After suffering losses for ten years, the idea was eventually
scrapped and the park was free to enter again.
STB (Singapore Tourism Board) then took over the management of the park but, unfortunately, failed to woo back the crowd.
Haw Par Villa has been in desolation ever since.
STB (Singapore Tourism Board) then took over the management of the park but, unfortunately, failed to woo back the crowd.
Haw Par Villa has been in desolation ever since.
The last time I visited Haw Par Villa was five years ago with my folks but this time, I visited the park myself.
Just like the previous trip, there is hardly any visitors around. I counted less than 10. This is a far cry from its glorious past when thousands thronged the park every weekend.
Haw Par Villa is a collective memory of many especially those born before the 1990s. Given the rich history, it would be a pity if the park is to be tear down one day. I believe more can be done by the STB like collaborating with tour agencies to include the park in their itinerary or holding special events at the venue to bring back the crowd.
While walking through the park, a surreal feeling overcome me. I felt like I have intruded into another realm where time has come to a complete standstill. Perhaps, the contrast between the busy highway traffic outside compared to the quaint and quietness of the park gave me this dream-like delusion.
That's my mum and sister with the unborn me posing with the same Rulai
The story of Madam White Snake (白蛇传)
Dioramas of Fu Lu Shou, The Legend of Kang Xi and The Legend of Su Qin
Recently, someone STOMPED about these mermaid sculptures, saying that they embarrassed him before his parents and girlfriend with their "creamy flesh, breasts and nipples".
Dude, these are sculptures. The last thing I want to do is to fantasize about them!
Dude, these are sculptures. The last thing I want to do is to fantasize about them!
Even though Haw Par Villa has been around for a very long time, it still give me new surprises every time I visit it. I don't remember seeing the battle scene of 《封神榜》 below previously (or have I not been looking around hard enough?).
Other than showcasing sculptures from popular folk tales and mythological stories like Madam White Snake, Journey To The West and Feng Sheng Bang, there are also sculptures depicting virtues and vices (and their consequences).
Haw Par Villa was named after the two brothers - Boon HAW (gentle tiger) and Boon PAR (gentle leopard) so naturally you will see a lot of this two majestic cats throughout the park.
Even these cute ones holding the company's products.
Boon Haw even had a tiger head mounted over the radiator of his car which he drives around to promote his Tiger Balm business. The horn has even been modified to resemble that of a tiger's roar. This garage is the original garage that houses Boon Haw's Tiger cars.
If you are born before the 1990s, there is a high chance that you have taken photos with the following sculptures.
If you are born before the 1990s, there is a high chance that you have taken photos with the following sculptures.
Due
to the lack of business, the canteen here is not in operation so you
might want to have your meal first before coming over or bring some
light snacks along. *FYI, the only washroom in the entire park is located here at the canteen (pictured below) so it is creepy as hell.
Do
bring along some water too. There are some vending machines at the
entrance, near the Ten Courts of Hell and here at the canteen outside
the washrooms.
Take note that the vending machines near
the Ten Courts of Hell only accept $2 notes while the ones at the
entrance do accept coins. I am not too sure about the ones outside the
washrooms though.
A 500ml bottled drink costs $1.50 at the vending machines here while a 1.5l Coke costs $1.80 at the supermarket (just for your reference if you are on a budget and trying to save cost).
Another
warning: Be careful of the stairs here as I nearly tumbled down the
narrow steps. I admit that I did not watch where I was going but the
steps were indeed narrower than the length of my foot.
For more photos, click here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI04yf8BaG4&index=2&list=UUW6JP6UmShBlXNrcu5HfJSA
If you think what you have seen so far is downright creepy and disturbing, then you have not seen the worst yet. Like The Dead Cockroach's Facebook page and be subscribed to new updates as I brave the TEN COURTS OF HELL in my next post...
Admission to Haw Par Villa is free. Take the Circle Line train and alight at Haw Par Villa Station (CC25) which brings you directly to the foot of the park (just turn right when you exit the station).
Find out more about the man behind the Tiger Balm business and his contributions to Singapore (especially towards the Chinese community) in this two part documentary:
- Part 1
- Part 2
HAW PAR VILLA (虎豹别墅)
262 Pasir Panjang Road
Singapore 118628
Opening Hours: 9am - 7pm daily
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/6iQNC
GPS Coordination: 1.285506, 103.7831439
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