Critique Welcomed Singapore, Haw Par Villa - or more colloquially the "Tiger Balm Gardens"

[Bill Watts]

No doubt some of you have heard of Tiger Balm, the Asian cure all. It made the two brothers, Haw and Par, very wealthy. With the money they made they built a fine villa to live in and then surrounded it with illustrative statuary, including the 10 courts of hell, depicting something like purgatory. They also built a smaller version in Hong Kong, but it has long since closed and been redeveloped.

On their demise the gardens eventually passed into government ownership and they were opened to the public. An entrance fee was charged but since the gardens were sited (at that time) well out of town they were under visited and eventually the entrance fee was waived. Over the year the gardens fell into disrepair and a couple of attempts to revive them did not go well. Recently a private company has taken over the gardens and they are looking good again, they now charge to visit the 10 courts of hell to pay for the upkeep of the gardens.

Incidentally this is the only place I know in Singapore where bare chested females can be seen (mermaids, see below)

Camera: Olympus Air A-01
Lens 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 (28-84mm equiv.)

 

[Gary R. Smith]

Looks like it could be a scene taken in Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

Another enjoyment of the day.

 

[Pete Askew]

What a fascinating place. I especially like the dragon and the pig image.

 

[Bill Watts]

What a fascinating place. I especially like the dragon and the pig image.

It is a weird and wonderful place, full of statues and tableaux detailing Chinese folk stories. The 10 courts of hell was something quite extraordinary but is now a "paid for" part of the gardens. I have some photos from a few year ago I will dig up. The dragon I am not sure about, but the pig is the second companion to the Monkey God a very popular story and subject to a recent remake and broadcast on television. I recall watching "The Water Margin" when I was a child in the UK - it is the same story of the Monkey God translated into English.

 

[Bill Watts]

What a fascinating place. I especially like the dragon and the pig image.

As promised, some photos from 2013 when the gardens were not in such good repair - the 10 courts of Hell....... (Not for the faint of heart)

























The brothers Haw and Par were one of the first motor car owners in Singapore, They had a Chevrolet with specially modified bodywork and the horn sounded like a tigers roar.



imagine having this bearing down on you when attempting to cross the road! It is still registered for road usage as a vintage vehicle, the red and yellow number plate indicates this.

Currently these exhibits are not accessible for free as they were when these photos were taken

 

[Gianluca Drago]

As promised, some photos from 2013 when the gardens were not in such good repair - the 10 courts of Hell....... (Not for the faint of heart)

The brothers Haw and Par were one of the first motor car owners in Singapore, They had a Chevrolet with specially modified bodywork and the horn sounded like a tigers roar.

Currently these exhibits are not accessible for free as they were when these photos were taken

Unfortunately, I'm not able to this last series of images, @Bill Watts

 

[Bill Watts]

Unfortunately, I'm not able to this last series of images, @Bill Watts

should be visible now

 

[Gianluca Drago]

should be visible now

Yes, it is.

 

[Pete Askew]

Blimey, what an amazing place. I’m glad they never came up with the idea of a theme-park too!

And what a wonderfully eccentric car.

 

[Bill Watts]

Blimey, what an amazing place. I’m glad they never came up with the idea of a theme-park too!

And what a wonderfully eccentric car.

Actually........ At one time it was operated as a theme park with rides, but the same problem occurred, it was too far out of town at the time. Eccentricity is the preserve of the wealthy!