Haw Par Villa

"A unique theme park inspired by Chinese mythology, offering a macabre yet fascinating experience."

"Haw Par Villa, a theme park containing more than 1,000 statues and 150 giant dioramas that highlight Chinese myths and legends, might be the best-value entertainment in Singapore . (It’s free!) Built in 1937 by the creators of Tiger Balm (the ubiquitous salve that soothes every ill), the park depicts famous personages such as Laughing Buddha. Winding paths thread through the dioramas, allowing guests to pore over the details. Don’t miss the 10 Courts of Hell display, which portrays the afterlife for wrongdoers—fascinating, but probably best avoided if you’re traveling with young kids. By Katie Coakley"

"Forget manicured or wild, this eight-acre outdoor art park is bizarre but a feast for the eyes. It was set up in the 1930s—before the advent of TV and the Internet—by Tiger Balm founder and philanthropist Aw Boon Haw, who commissioned more than 1,000 detailed sculptures and dioramas that would teach traditional Chinese values. Back then, it was popular and crowded, but has become less so over the years. And though it's lost a bit of its luster, that only lends to its charm and 'raw' feel—what you get here is an unfiltered, in-your-face lesson on Chinese morals and culture that doesn't sit behind velvet ropes or glass panels, and isn't crawling with tourists. Also of note: This "Asian cultural park" claims to be the last of its kind in the world, though it's hard to imagine there were many like this to begin with." - Ashlea Halpern

"What's this place all about? Forget manicured or wild, this eight-acre outdoor art park is bizarre but a feast for the eyes. It was set up in the 1930s—before the advent of TV and the Internet—by Tiger Balm founder and philanthropist Aw Boon Haw, who commissioned more than 1,000 detailed sculptures and dioramas that would teach traditional Chinese values. Think attractions like the Ten Courts of Hell, a maze of chambers each depicting a very graphic scene of how souls are punished and tortured for different types of sins. Back then, it was popular and crowded, but has become less so over the years. And though it's lost a bit of its luster, that only lends to its charm and 'raw' feel—what you get here is an unfiltered, in-your-face lesson on Chinese morals and culture that doesn't sit behind velvet ropes or glass panels, and isn't crawling with tourists. Also of note: This "Asian cultural park" claims to be the last of its kind in the world, though it's hard to imagine there were many like this to begin with.  What are some of the highlights? Decades ago, Singaporean parents would take their kids to Haw Par Villa's Ten Courts of Hell to show them the varying degrees of punishment that would happen to them if they did wrong (anything from reading 'bad' books to committing murder). These days, the walk-through area remains a key attraction in the park, not least for its gruesome scenes of punishment. The soon-to-reopen Hell's Museum is also set to be a horror-filled highlight - the paid attraction will showcase death rituals and funerary practices from around the Asian region. How easy is it to get around? The area is pretty easy to navigate—there's clear signage on-site and a fun online map that shows where the main statues and attractions are. But there aren't many sheltered spots and you can't buy any refreshments on-site, save from a couple of vending machines that aren't well-stocked. Tip: Bring an umbrella for shade and stock up on drinks from the pushcart stall just outside the park before you go in. So why would you recommend Haw Par Villa, and who for? This is a place for those who want to see culture at its most colorful and raw—not the sanitized version in a museum. For those who like wandering a bit off the beaten path (perhaps because of its out-of-the-way location, Haw Par Villa is almost always under-visited). It's also a place for those with a taste for the eccentric, the bizarre, the weird and the wonderful." - Audrey Phoon