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Haw Par Villa is said to be the stuff of nightmares, but is it really that terrifying? We break down what you can see and do in this guide Haw Par Villa and Hell’s Museum and why it’s one of Singapore’s most unique attractions.
“So … does anyone want to visit Haw Par Villa with me?” I asked the Sassy Mama team, to the jarring sound of silence and subtle head shakes. Most–if not all–Singaporeans have heard of Haw Par Villa, with many Millennials having visited this iconically eerie park as part of school trips back in the day. Centred around Chinese folklore and home to the terrifying Hell’s Museum, Haw Par Villa is reputed to be the stuff of nightmares–probably why no one was particularly enthused at my suggested team outing.
Having never visited Haw Par Villa in my life (due to me being afraid), I decided to face my fears and finally see what this park is all about. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be! Read on for our guide to Haw Par Villa, what to do at Haw Par Villa and why this park deserves a lot more recognition beyond its “scary” reputation.
Read more: Best Scary Movies For Families & Kids Of All Ages
Jump to:
– What is Haw Par Villa Singapore?
– Haw Par Villa history
– Haw Par Villa entrance fees
– Haw Par Villa opening hours
– Things to do at Haw Par Villa
– Hell’s Museum
– Review of Haw Par Villa
– How to get to Haw Par Villa
What is Haw Par Villa Singapore?
If you haven’t heard of Haw Par Villa, let me try to break it down for you: Haw Par Villa is arguably the most bizarre “theme park” in Singapore. Of course, it’s not a theme park with roller coasters or anything of that sort, but rather, it’s a themed park centred around Chinese folklore and religious teachings.
Haw Par Villa describes itself as “Singapore’s largest outdoor art gallery” and it’s not wrong at all! Its most defining feature is its incredibly detailed statues, and Haw Par Villa has over 1,000 of them! The park also has 150 giant dioramas that detail teachings and stories from Chinese legends, history and even religious teachings from the likes of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
Haw Par Villa is also home to Hell’s Museum, a paid attraction, which we’ll talk about later (or, click here if you can’t wait to read about it!).
Haw Par Villa Singapore history
Haw Par Villa’s history dates all the way back to 1937. Millionaire philanthropist, businessman and founder of Tiger Balm Aw Boon Haw had built the villa for his brother Aw Boon Par. So, it’s easy to see that the villa is named after the two brothers–and also why it’s referred to as ‘Tiger Balm Gardens’.
The park is essentially made up of the villa’s hillside grounds. Here are some fun facts about Haw Par Villa’s history:
- In its early years, the park had a zoo with live animals including snakes! These were later removed in place of animal statues due to animal welfare and visitor safety concerns.
- The park has ‘International Corners’ which were added after Aw Boon Haw’s death, by his nephew Aw Cheng Chye in the late 1950s. These exhibits were meant to represent cultures from other parts of the world.
- In 1990 the park was reopened as Haw Par Villa Dragon World, meant to be a theme park. Visitors could ride a boat through the Courts of Hell exhibit. The boat ride has since been removed.
After going through several redevelopments and commercialisation efforts by both private companies and the Singapore Government, Haw Par Villa remains a public park today. You can read more about Haw Par Villa’s detailed history here.
Haw Par Villa entrance fees
The wonderful thing about Haw Par Villa–and what makes it so accessible–is that entry to the park is completely free!
However, take note that entry to Hell’s Museum is $20 for adults and $10 for children. Children aged 6 and under may enter Hell’s Museum for free, but this attraction is not recommended for children under the age of 9 … and of course, not for the faint of heart.
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Haw Par Villa opening hours
Haw Par Villa is open daily from 9am to 8pm. As the park is entirely open-air, we recommend going just as it opens at 9am or around 5pm when the sun isn’t as scorching.
The park can be explored in an hour or under if you’re going for casual exploration. But if you have an interest in Chinese folklore or simply want to admire the statues and visit Hell’s Museum, you can spend as much time here as you want, till closing time.
Hell’s Museum is open every day except Mondays, from 10am to 6pm. Last entry into Hell’s Museum is at 5pm. You can expect to spend anywhere between two to four hours exploring the museum.
What to do at Haw Par Villa
Admire over 1,000 statues and 150 dioramas
What makes Haw Par Villa stand out is its numerous statues and dioramas. These graphic, bizarre and over-the-top statues aren’t just for fun, of course; they’re meant to tell stories and teachings about values and beliefs in Chinese culture. Along with each exhibit, you’ll find information plaques on who these characters are and the stories that go along with them.
As you explore the park, you’ll find familiar tales and characters from Journey to the West, the Eight Immortals’ Crossing the Sea, and Virtues and Vices Tableaux, and many more.
If I’m putting myself in the shoes of a child, I’d probably be amused at the numerous animal statues around the park. That, plus half-human-half-animal creatures, and animals with a large amount of “human” teeth. There’s even an Australian garden with kangaroos and critters from Down Under!
Honesty Boxes with fish feeding and bubble wands
Amidst all the colourful statues and structures, the Honesty Boxes were a pleasant discovery. There are several located throughout the park, especially at prayer stations.
There are also fish and terrapin feeding stations where you can choose to make a donation, grab a packet of fish food, and feed the fish! The recommended amount is $1 per packet. There are also bubble wand stations that’ll be a treat if you’ve brought kids along. The recommended donation is $2 per bubble wand.
Other things to do at Haw Par Villa
Besides taking a stroll and learning about Chinese folklore and teachings, you can go on ticketed tours and trails at Haw Par Villa. The park also has educational programmes and workshops. If you want to pick up some park memorabilia, you can find it at the visitor centre at the entrance of Hell’s Museum.
Hell’s Museum: 10 Courts of Hell
While Haw Par Villa itself isn’t very scary, the same can’t be said for Hell’s Museum. The museum comprises Haw Par Villa’s iconic 10 Courts of Hell explores–in a very graphic manner–death and dying in different cultures around the world. What you’ll see are explicit depictions of sins and punishment that follow after death, and it is undoubtedly disturbing.
I’ll say it here again: Hell’s Museum isn’t suitable for kids below the age of 9, as per their recommendation. Pets are also not allowed inside.
Honest review of Haw Par Villa & tips for visitors
While it may have taken me several weeks of procrastinating to finally visit Haw Par Villa, I’m happy to report that my fears were quite unfounded. With ponds, soothing Chinese music and plenty of shade provided by trees, the park makes for quite a peaceful stroll. The park is also clean and very well-maintained, which makes it easy to explore. The park is also pet-friendly (except for Hell’s Museum), so you can bring your furkids along.
Due to the nature of the stories and the over-the-top depictions of the statues, I can see why some may find the park eerie. But is Haw Par Villa scary? Not enough to scar you for life, in my opinion. Is it suitable for young kids? You can be the judge of that, based on the photos you see! As for older school-age kids, they might find it fun to spot the numerous different animals and learn about Chinese folklore and religious teachings.
If you do decide to visit with young kids, you may want to forego the stroller. You can get by if you follow the Wheelchair Route, but take note that there are some uphill portions since Haw Par Villa is located on a hill. You’ll also get to see and explore more through the park’s Recommended Route, which has stairs here and there.
Be sure to also pack some insect repellent as Haw Par Villa is completely outdoors and surrounded by plenty of trees and plants. Thankfully, there a couple of vending machines where you can buy cold drinks. Finally, bring some cash for the Honesty Boxes!
Read more: Best Parks In Singapore For Families With Kids
How to get to Haw Par Villa
Located along Pasir Panjang Road, Haw Par Villa is pretty accessible and easy to get to, whether you’re driving or taking public transport.
How to get to Haw Par Villa by MRT: Haw Par Villa is just a two-minute walk from the Haw Par Villa MRT Station on the Circle Line.
How to get to Haw Par Villa by bus: There is a bus stop right in front of Haw Par Villa and one across the road. You can take buses 10, 30, 30e, 51, 143, 188 and 200 to ‘Haw Par Villa Stn’ or ‘Opp Haw Par Villa Stn’.
How to get to Haw Par Villa by car: Haw Par Villa is a 15- to 20-minute drive from town. Onsite parking is available for $8 per entry. Note that only cash is accepted here, so come prepared!
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