Haw Par Villa (Tiger Balm Gardens), Singapore

The Haw Par Villa, or Tiger Balm Gardens was built by the brothers who developed the wonder medicine Tiger Balm and made a fortune from it.

I don't think I've ever seen a bigger monument to concrete, plaster, and bright colours anywhere. The park is unbeleivably kitcsh, goudy colours, luridly detail depictions of violence. An excellet place for the kiddies.

The buddist 'Ten Levels of Hell' Exhibit is a must see. Witness the punishment for 'ungratefullness' for example and tremble... (having your heart cut out).

There is also a large collection of jade sculptures in the park which finished things off nicely.

The photo's don't really capture the scale of the place. Its a bit of a jaw dropper.

Sat 29 Jan 2005 | /Trips/Singapore | permalink

---