Haw Par Villa/Tiger Balm

Haw Par Villa Theme Park

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Attraction | "Courts of Hell"

Courts of Hell Wishing Well Photo - Haw Par Villa Theme Park, Singapore City, Singapore

Quote:

The Courts of Hell seemed a bit ominous from the beginning. To begin with, this section of the park opens later and closes earlier than the rest of park, which is, not only free, but also opens as early as 7am and closes at 10pm. The next thing I noticed was that just before heading off into the tunnel, guarded by two fierce creatures, there is a wishing well. I thought about it, for no particular reason, however I had no coins.First stop inside the cave, or rather 600 meter long tail of a dragon, is standing before King Qinguang who judges you based on your past life deeds. If you have performed well, you will be directed across the Gold Bridge to paradise. If your good deeds substan...Read More

The Courts of Hell seemed a bit ominous from the beginning. To begin with, this section of the park opens later and closes earlier than the rest of park, which is, not only free, but also opens as early as 7am and closes at 10pm. The next thing I noticed was that just before heading off into the tunnel, guarded by two fierce creatures, there is a wishing well. I thought about it, for no particular reason, however I had no coins.

First stop inside the cave, or rather 600 meter long tail of a dragon, is standing before King Qinguang who judges you based on your past life deeds. If you have performed well, you will be directed across the Gold Bridge to paradise. If your good deeds substantially outweigh bad ones you cross the Silver Bridge. However if you fail to qualify for either of these, you will be sentenced to the Mirror of Retribution and then go to one of the Ten Courts of Hell where punishment is carried out. I turned to my right, as the displays alternated from side to side, to see two holes carved into the side of the cave wall. They seem to be windows with a glimpse of upcoming displays. As I would walk down a hallway, I hugged the side of wall. When I was almost at the porthole, I saw a face and instantly leap back. Someone on the other side must have walked up to window at the same time catching me completely off guard. I leaned forward and the second scare occurred. It was my face. How could this mirror not be mirroring what is behind me? I decided to put my face within inches to figure out this trick. Arghhhhh, yet another scare! A demon face was staring back at me! Here I stand in front of the Mirror of Retribution and it becomes completely clear to me. Upon regaining my normal heartbeat, I mused about effective this was. Onward to what punishments await.

At each court, various crimes were listed with appropriate punishment depicted. As the severity of the crimes elevated so too did the punishment with ever increasing gruesome scenes. Some wrong doings were on par with the idea of an eye for eye. Others were concerned with connecting how menacing the act was with subsequent way of ending a life.

A heart breaker had his own ripped from out of him. Theft would result in the loss of fingers or a hand. Castration was punishment for rape. The crime of murder could land you into a vat of boiling water, a bottom-less pit of mud or an ice cave. Getting even, revenge and justice take on a new life here. Glad I’m just passing through.

As I exited the tunnel still trying to catch my breath, the bright sun nearly blinded me. Passing by the wishing well, for which I still had no coin, I saw a huge towering Buddha in a meditating position. Apparently, it is obscured from view when arriving at the Courts of Hell.
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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on October 17, 2012

Haw Par Villa Theme Park
262 Pasir Panjang Road
Singapore, Malay Peninsula 118628
+65 6872 2003

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Haw Par Villa Theme Park

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Eight Immortals"

Eight Immortals Photo - Haw Par Villa Theme Park, Singapore City, Singapore

Quote:

The eight immortals play vital roles in Asian cultures. Statues and stories of them are found in temples, museums, parks, and many other places. The group is comprised of seven men and one woman. They are said to represent the young and old, rich and poor, noble and humble, and male and female. That being stated, is a women neither rich nor poor? Maybe just the man is the breadwinner. Apparently, she does not go through puberty or get old. I can live with that. I’m still pondering the noble and humble theory.Beyond serving as representation of various human statuses, each Immortal has a different talisman enabling him or her power to perform a great feat in the lives of mortals. I...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on October 17, 2012

Haw Par Villa Theme Park
262 Pasir Panjang Road
Singapore, Malay Peninsula 118628
+65 6872 2003

Cheer!
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Haw Par Villa Theme Park

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Haw Par Villa/Tiger Balm Introduction"

Haw Par Villa Photo - Haw Par Villa Theme Park, Singapore City, Singapore

Quote:

Haw Par Villa, like Cirque de Solei, is as much an experience as it is something to behold. The materials used, the outlandish actions and scenes, costumes, and characters are impossible to bring to life even with the help of photos. I had seen some photos from long, long before digital cameras, when many more might have been taken, and read or heard little description other than that some sculptures were gruesome, unsettling, fanciful, or amusing. The large sign at the entry with long snake and ferocious tiger, meant after many years in trying to find out if any of the one in Hong Kong or Singapore remained, had finally ended in success. I had this place quietly to myself for all but ...Read More

Haw Par Villa, like Cirque de Solei, is as much an experience as it is something to behold. The materials used, the outlandish actions and scenes, costumes, and characters are impossible to bring to life even with the help of photos. I had seen some photos from long, long before digital cameras, when many more might have been taken, and read or heard little description other than that some sculptures were gruesome, unsettling, fanciful, or amusing.

The large sign at the entry with long snake and ferocious tiger, meant after many years in trying to find out if any of the one in Hong Kong or Singapore remained, had finally ended in success. I had this place quietly to myself for all but half a dozen others.

With more than 1000 statues, mask, and figures, everything was covered. Dioramas depicted Confucius wisdom and illustrations of the correct way to live. Buddhism legends were represented in the scenes from Journey to the West, Taoism in others. Well-known Chinese mythological creatures like dragons were in abundance from tiny ones wrapped around poles to larger ones at entry gates and pagodas. Other folklore included the crane and tortoise symbols of longevity and plenty of lions for protection. Koi ponds provided wealth. Bamboo, lotus and orchids for luck, purity and elegance respectively further surrounded all these.

Oddly enough, the founders, Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par who built this park in 1937, were not Chinese but rather Burmese. They made their fortune from tiger balm products, rubber as in tires and a few other extremely successful ventures. The park seemed to be a way off giving back to the community while strengthening the ideas of the way to live.

When the Singapore Government took it over in 1988, the first year it made plenty of money. They charged an admission and extra fee for viewing the Courts of Hell. Afterward, people were no longer willing to pay the price and park began getting run down. The idea of restoration has been bandied about, and will hopefully come to fruition.
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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on October 17, 2012

Haw Par Villa Theme Park
262 Pasir Panjang Road
Singapore, Malay Peninsula 118628
+65 6872 2003

Cheer!
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Haw Par Villa Theme Park

Attraction | "Legendary Journey"

Quote:

Journey to the West, as told by a series of displays, is a story about a monk name Tripikata on his way to India to obtain and bring back Buddhist Scriptures. His three companions or disciples depending on the version accompany him. They include Pigsy, Sandy and Monkey God.Along the way, the Tree Demon minions attack them. The King of Reptiles captured Tripitaka while his friends were entombed. Ugly Meizan, a lizard imp develops a deep affinity for the monk who was determined to free his allies. She helps Tripikata and he frees Pigsy, Sandy and Monkey God. When Meizan is about to be judged, Tripikata comes to her aide and she is deemed loyal.Legend of Madam White Snake is...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on October 19, 2012

Haw Par Villa Theme Park
262 Pasir Panjang Road
Singapore, Malay Peninsula 118628
+65 6872 2003

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Haw Par Villa Theme Park

Attraction | "Legacy Pond"

Quote:

The Legacy Pond is yet another unusual display of unique characters. This one is different in an yet another way. Unlike other dioramas and displays, it does not appear to be related to a any particular aspect of Buddhist, Confucius, or Taoist teachings. Nor does it represent Chinese folklore from long ago.However, in the Courts of Hell after punishment has been administered the topic of reincarnation is discussed. The notion of reincarnation in human form as well as another form is possible. Moreover, the being midway through the process has been written about.Another thought includes the idea that Chinese believe that from careful meditation all creatures can obtain hum...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on October 20, 2012

Haw Par Villa Theme Park
262 Pasir Panjang Road
Singapore, Malay Peninsula 118628
+65 6872 2003

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