Haw Par Villa — One of the World’s Scariest Theme Parks
If you’re interested in culture and history, you should pay a visit to Haw Par Villa. Built in 1937 by the Burmese-Chinese brothers Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, the theme park was called Tiger Balm Gardens. It was eventually re-named Haw Par Villa, after the two brothers, whose names meant Leopard and Tiger.
Unlike regular theme parks, Haw Par Villa is not a carnival of wild rides, unhealthy snacks and game stalls. Rather, it is a rich collection of statues, dioramas and tableaux, each depicting some aspect of Chinese folklore mythology.
Of these, the main attraction is the Ten Courts of Hell.
Housing over 1,000 statues and dioramas depicting the various punishments accorded in hell for every crime imaginable, this is the stuff of nightmares. It is said that any Chinese Singaporean over the age of 35 would have, at one point, been brought to Haw Par Villa as a child to be educated on what would happen to them if they misbehaved.
If you intend to visit the theme park, and have children in tow, fret not — there are other less frightening exhibits on display as well. Various dioramas cross the grounds re-telling Chinese folklore including Journey to the West, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and Madame White Snake.
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Guided tours are also available if you’re really interested in the stories and culture behind each exhibit. If you’d like to take part in a guided tour, ticket details may be found here.
Conservationalists would be pleased to note that at present, the soul of the attraction has not yet been lost to commercialisation. The grounds do not have any retail or food establishments. As such, please bring your own refreshments to keep yourself hydrated whilst visiting Haw Par Villa.
Want to know more fun facts about Haw Par Villa? Check out this timeline by The Straits Times and these 5 little known facts by Going Places Singapore.
There is no entrance fee to the theme park, and you are free to explore all of the grounds.
Operating Hours: Daily, 9am to 7pm
262 Pasir Panjang Road
Singapore 118628
Nearest MRT Station: Haw Par Villa (Circle Line)
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Originally published at trabble.co on September 29, 2015.
