Haw Par Villa (or the Tiger Balm Garden) was built in 1937 by Aw Boon Haw ("The Tiger Balm King") for his younger brother, Aw Boon Par (as his residence), who helped in the creatation of their vast fortune and wealth with their famous Tiger Balm.
Haw Par Villa means: "Villa of the Tiger and Leopar
d" (Chinese: 虎豹別墅)
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| The Map of Haw Par Villa |
The brothers' were originally from Rangoon (Yangon), Burma. Their father Aw Chu Kin, was a son of an herbalist in Xiamen, Fujian Province in China, who left for Rangoon in the 1800s to seek a better life. He first made a stop in Singapore, and lived in the Chinese neighborhood in Telok Ayer. He then left for Penang, Malaysia. Afterwards, he made is way to Rangoon, Burma. Aw Chu Kin, set up shop with the help of his uncle. Eng Aun Tong (Chinese: 永安堂药行; "Hall of Everlasting Peace"), was founded in 1870. His uncle became his matchmaker, and introduced him to his bride/wife, soon after, Aw Boon Haw (Gentle Tiger) was born in 1882, Boon Par ("Gentle Leopard") was later born in 1888.
Aw Chu Kin died in 1908, leaving Boon Par the family business and legacy. Boon Haw wasn't interested at the time and rebeled against the family and went to China. Boon Par soon found the responsibility and the business too much for him, and asked his older brother to come back and help with the family business back in Rangoon.
The 2 brothers, built their famous empire through the "cure-all" ointment which they sold in tiny jars. Today we all know their famous ointmentas "Tiger Balm" and is now sold almost all over the world and is, as the brothers once mentioned a "cure-all".
After their success in Rangoon, the tycoons moved to Singapore, and Eun Aun Tong found a new home on the island. A larger factory was constructed on Neil Road, and production became 10 times more than what it was in Rangoon.
The mansion, Haw Par Villa, was constructed in a hill in Pasir Panjang, with one-of-a-kind gardens showcasing myths, legends and stories of Chinese origin for the younger brother, Aw Boon Par in 1937.
Aw Boon Haw created the park to teach people about the Chinese culture and its unique values, as well as a way to help preserve the culture and heritage he grew up with as a child. The park has over 1,000 collection of colourful statues and 150 scenes which are all centered around Chinese folklore and Confucian ideology.
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| A shrine to a Buddha |
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The most out of place statue in the park; not
sure what lady liberty is doing here |
Haw Par Villa also has a part of the park depicting the 10 courts of Hell. These 10 courts are each ruled by a Yama or a God/King of death, who gives punishments to the corresponding sins commited by a person when they were alive. These 10 courts of hell come from the concept that "one reaps what one sows". Guarding the doors of the 10 courts of hell, are 2 guardians, who are also in charge of taking the soul/spirit of the dead to hell; one guardian, has a head of a horse and the other the head of an ox.
Haw Par Villa was later donated by the Aw family to the Singaporean Government. Boon Haw also built similar parks in Hong Kong and in Fujian, China. The one in Hong Kong was built in 1935, but was demolished in 2004. Boon Haw also built a Haw Par Childrens Playground in Thailand in 1938 to help promote Tiger Balm in Thailand and boost sales.
Haw Par Villa is open and free to the public, anyone can visit!
Haw Par Villa is right beside tthe MRT Station, of the same name in the Circle Line (Yellow Line) of the Singapore MRT.
#262 Pasir Panjang Road, 118628
Operating Hours: 9:00am-6:00pm
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