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There is simply no other place like it.
Often described as “fascinating, delightful, bizarre, yet entertaining,”
the Haw Par Villa on Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore elicits a reaction
that is of both awe and morbid fascination from its visitors.
 Built
in the year 1937, Haw Par Villa hosts 25 clusters of statues and
figurines depicting stories from Chinese mythology, legends, and
teachings of moral values. The colorful statues and figurines dramatize
ancient Chinese legends and folklore meant to teach and preserve moral
values and local heritage throughout the following generations.
Such depictions include the commitment of the pilgrims in journey to the
West, the Virtue of Lady White Snake, the adventures of the Eight
Immortals Invasion of Neptune’s Palace, and so much more.
Ancient mythological creatures are also portrayed in statues that may be
found scattered through out the grounds.
There are also many shows conducted in Haw Par Villa, all of them
carrying the same Chinese mythology theme. Plays, acrobatic displays and
puppet shows all depict Chinese stories, such as the battles between
gods and spirits, and how mischievous demons and nymphs wreak havoc on
mortals lives.
Another activity visitors may want to do is to take a gentle stroll
through the park and view each statue, for every statue has a story
behind it.
 The
Villa also has its own 60-meter dragon attraction where guests may take
a short boat ride into the dragon’s mouth and through its body. During
this ride, there is also a headlong lunge over a 15-meter waterfall in a
plume ride.
Perhaps the most popular exhibition in the Villa is the exhibition of
the 10 courts of Hell, as depicted by Chinese mythology. According to
Chinese belief, hell has not one court but ten.
It is said that each court is ruled by a 'yama' or a king who rules
judgment and metes out different punishments befitting the sins
committed in one's life.
 The
concept 'One reaps what one sows' is the basis of the legend of the Ten
Courts of Hell. However, the influence of Confucianism is so great that
punishments for failing to comply, such as disrespect for the written
word, lack of filial piety or inattention in class are often equal to,
or more terrifying than that for murder.
There is also the belief that when a person first dies, two guardians
from Hades will come to fetch your soul and take it down into Hades.
One guardian is said to have the head of a horse, while the otherm that
of an ox. Hence the names of the guardians of Hell....Ox-Head and
Horse-Face.
Open: 9am - 7pm(daily)
Admission: Free
Approximate Touring Time: 2 - 3 hours
Location: 262 Pasir Panjang Road Singapore 118628
Tel: (65) 6872 2780 (Events and Programmes) or 6872 2003 (Business
Development)
Fax: (65) 6872 2694
Email: orientmgt@pacific.net.sg
Getting There: Take SBS bus 200 from Buona Vista MRT Station (EW21), SBS
bus 10, 30, TIBS bus 188 from World Trade Centre, SBS bus 143 from
Orchard Road or SBS bus 51 from Chinatown.
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