Took the MRT to the Tiger Balm gardens yesterday. It's an attraction that is not on the most popular Singapore attractions lists but certainly worth a visit. Just 70 meters from the Haw Par Villa MRT station it is very accessible. Entrance is free and the gardens are very interesting and beautiful. A leisurely 2 hour stroll in the gardens, entertaining for both adults and kids. Very good destination to take the family for a weekend outing.
The gardens have cold drink dispensing machines so make sure you have some coins on hand or take your own food and drinks along. Toilet facilities are very good. There are loads of benches, dungeon walkways and other areas to take a sit down and enjoy the scenery and present some great photo opportunities.
Haw Par Villa, formerly called Tiger Balm Gardens, was originally constructed in 1937 by "Tiger Balm King" Aw Boon Haw as a grand residence for his younger brother, Aw Boon Par, who helped create their fortune with the analgesic balm. In English, Haw Par Villa translates as Villa of the Tiger and Leopard. Aw Boon Haw created an entertainment park to teach and preserve Chinese values.
The gardens contain more than a 1000 colourful statues, and 150 giant tableaux centred around Chinese folklore, legends, history ad Confucian ideology. Morality tales included classic battles between good and evil and tributes to Chinese cultural heroes such as the famous pugilist Wu Song, who tamed a ferocious tiger with his bare hands.
I include some of my favourites as it is obviously impossible to share all whole experience with you. Take your time to study the statues as you can easily miss some of the incredible details. There are thousands of story boards to read which could turn this into a interesting learning experience.
The Erotic One - A woman breastfeeding an old man
The Weird One - One of the new attractions. It's a vintage car dressed up to look like a tiger. It's a replica of the 'Tiger Car' that the late Mr. Aw Boon Haw owned.
The Gory One - Animal biting someones leg
The Suggestive One - Not sure what to think
The Big One - A 7000 Kilo Scowling Gorilla
The Skinny One - This guy needs to get some food soon
The Human Crab One - What the hell ??
The Liberty One - A Bit Small but still
I highly recommend a visit to the gardens and include a collage of some of the other interesting photos taken during my visit. Look carefully at the details of the statues and you will be amazed. Weird and wonderful.
WAH LAO, I didn't go Haw Par before but what nonsense is in that damn place?!!
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