Haw Par Villa, Singapore

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 anagesic balm. In English, Haw Par Villa translates as Villa of the Tiger and Leopard.

Aw Boon Haw then created an entertainment park to teach and preserve Chinese values. The park's colorful collection of over 1,000 statues and 150 giant tableaux centered around Chinese folklore, legends, history, and 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.

Attractions include Scowling 7,000-kg gorilla, A monstrous sumo wrestler, The Statue of Liberty, The Ten Courts of Hell, Water Gardens and live fishes, Thai Dancers, Panda, Ostrich and Koala Bear.

The Jade House is a new addition to Haw Par Villa. It displays a wide collection of Jades that Aw Family has collected over the years. This Jade House is in Haw Par Villa, a short distance away from the main entrance. There is a token admission charge into The Jade House. It is open daily. Tiger Car is also a new attraction. 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. Viewing the Tiger Car at the Garage in Haw Par Villa is free. The Garage is open daily.