Ornate entrance gateway of Haw Par Villa |
Haw Par Villa aka Tiger Balm Gardens is named after philanthropist brothers Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par whose names mean Tiger and Leopard respective, two legendary animals in Buddhism to which the brothers are devoted.
Haw Par Villa is a place of wonder and mystery with a chequered past. It started in 1937 as the residence of the wealthy Aw Family known for their Tiger Balm products sold to this day. Their villa sat midst sprawling landscaped grounds which they populated with numerous statutes and dioramas drawn from Buddhism and Chinese mythology. In their philanthropy the gardens were later turned into a public park for the enjoyment of all. After being badly damaged during the Japanese invasion, it was restored and continued to serve as a public recreational facility, till now, when entrance fees apply. To be continued.
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