After living in Singapore for 15 years, how had I not visited this place earlier?!
This is going to be one of the most interesting (and amusing) places you are going to see in Singapore. Haw Par Villa is a theme park based on Chinese mythology and beliefs, and it was opened in 1937. Here you will see a variety of colourful sculptures of Buddha, Kuan Yin, other gods and goddesses, animals and simple people. Scenes from Chinese mythology have been enacted in certain areas, sculptures of humans engaging in daily activities are seen, and there are lovely Chinese-style pavillions, pagodas and turtle-inhabitated ponds within this area. You will learn a lot visiting this place. And the best thing is: it's free of charge!
Haw Par Villa was started by a pair of wealthy brothers who also started the popular family business 'Tiger Balm', a famous topical ointment.
This is going to be one of the most interesting (and amusing) places you are going to see in Singapore. Haw Par Villa is a theme park based on Chinese mythology and beliefs, and it was opened in 1937. Here you will see a variety of colourful sculptures of Buddha, Kuan Yin, other gods and goddesses, animals and simple people. Scenes from Chinese mythology have been enacted in certain areas, sculptures of humans engaging in daily activities are seen, and there are lovely Chinese-style pavillions, pagodas and turtle-inhabitated ponds within this area. You will learn a lot visiting this place. And the best thing is: it's free of charge!
Haw Par Villa was started by a pair of wealthy brothers who also started the popular family business 'Tiger Balm', a famous topical ointment.
First I visited this segment called 'Ten Gates of Hell'. In my opinion, that was the best part of my visit. Parental guidance will definitely be required for children as the scenes conveyed by the sculptures are rather macabre, and will seem horrifying to children. The 'Ten Gates of Hell' area is a separate sheltered cave-like structure, dark and foreboding. There is nothing frightening as such, but you'll carry with you the things that you will learn in this place for a long time. At the entrance, there was a mirror, and above it there was a placard, saying 'Look into this mirror to see how you looked like in your past life'. Did I do that? No, I didn't have a guts to! Mind you, the place was so dark and sinister, it gave me the sensation that I didn't want to see a witch of a woman in the mirror. Anyway, jokes aside.
The content matter of this place is very heavy, as you will learn all the different types of punishments administered to sinners of all crimes, including but not limited to rape, murder, robbery, lust, involvement in gambling and lack of filial piety. The punishments are very ghastly, and I am not going to mention anything here. You must go there and see for yourself if you are in Singapore. Don't feel so bad that everything seems so upsetting and gloomy; it is clearly shown at the entrance of this segment that those who upheld virtuous conduct throughout their lives will be guided to a golden bridge that will lead one's soul to paradise. I was very impressed by this place, and felt that many aspects of it are similar to Vedic beliefs. I am not putting any photographs of the sculptures in this place for respect of the value of the content it carries; but this is a shot of the entrance.
The content matter of this place is very heavy, as you will learn all the different types of punishments administered to sinners of all crimes, including but not limited to rape, murder, robbery, lust, involvement in gambling and lack of filial piety. The punishments are very ghastly, and I am not going to mention anything here. You must go there and see for yourself if you are in Singapore. Don't feel so bad that everything seems so upsetting and gloomy; it is clearly shown at the entrance of this segment that those who upheld virtuous conduct throughout their lives will be guided to a golden bridge that will lead one's soul to paradise. I was very impressed by this place, and felt that many aspects of it are similar to Vedic beliefs. I am not putting any photographs of the sculptures in this place for respect of the value of the content it carries; but this is a shot of the entrance.
Once you exit the 'Ten Gates of Hell', you'll be in this area with a few amusing - and erotic - sculptures, mainly depicting the ordinary aspects of human life. Have a look at the below pictures:
After this, I went to the next location at Haw Par Villa, which is of a pretty pagoda complex amidst lakes. In these lakes you'll see many turtles.
From this point onwards there are many more sculptures, depicting different tales and lores from Chinese mythology, including the legend of Madam White Snake, the Eight Immortals, the Journey to the West, and so on. There are write-ups given at every place and if you are as interested in mythology and legends as I am you'll be delighted. The sculptures are all works of art, precisely done and well-painted. Up till now I only showed photos of humans; there are many of animals as well.
A peaceful walk around the whole hill (yes, this park is built over a hill) should not take you longer than 2 hours. Before I end off, here is a photograph of Buddha, whom you will see everywhere, and of Mother Goddess Kuan Yin, the greatest luminaries of Chinese culture.
July 2017