Last Updated on 2019-03-15 , 6:32 pm
“Why don’t you just go to hell?”
Chances are, you’ve heard this phrase many times, often in an aggravated tone and accompanied by a few more curses. Thanks ah, boss.
Well, if you’re Singaporean bred, and a tad bit on the mischievous side, you have probably seen its gates and its courts. So technically, that phrase doesn’t work.
What I mean is…
You can actually visit hell for a little while.
Located in Haw Paw Villa, one of the world’s oldest Asian cultural park, is known for its artistic display of the 10 courts of hell, filled with eccentric statues and dioramas of suffering, pleasure, joy, etc.
You know, the one that you were really scared and confused by as a kid. Take example:
‘Ah girl ah, this is what happens if you cheat in your exam.’
The cultural park, originally a theme park was built in 1937 by a millionaire and philanthropist Aw Boon Haw, who also gifted the world with Tiger Balm (the thing you use to rub your orh ceh).
Sounds familiar?
Ehhh, close enough.
A Rich Man’s Vision
Originally built as a home by the Tiger Balm tycoon (Mr Iron Man), along with his brother, Aw Boon Par, they began to envision it as a place where Chinese culture is to be remembered. This explains why the place is uniquely and bizarre-ly decorated with Chinese folklore.
After eight decades of re-openings and continual renovation, the park will be opening once again on the1 March 2019 after 3 months of renovation works.
Given its rich history, the place has the utmost potential to expand its heritage and go deeper into its dark eccentricity.
…Or just pure eccentricity.
A piece of wildness in the uniform culture of Singapore, surely this is something that both tourists and locals can appreciate.
And as rightly said in a Straits Times article, ‘Its wild and quirky character should be spiced up, not diluted with bland and artificial additives.’
Into the Future
Last year, the Twilight tour on Haw-lloween (truly a Goody Feed level pun) and Noise Festival attracted much of the younger generation, giving a peek to the kind of progression that the park seem to be aiming for.
But now….
If you’re looking for a place to get wed with your bae, and CHJMES is a bit too Crazy Rich Asian for you, the historic park opens its doors for a ‘wedding of a lifetime‘.
Not sure if your relatives would want to attend, but it sure gives a new meaning to “marriage is the grave of love” #justsaying
Or maybe it’s the place for couples to stay together, come hell or high water.
Nevertheless, as it goes through its revamp, let us not forget the park is a big part of Singapore’s heritage.
As much as we were scared and puzzled by its wild-ness as a kid, the fact still remains that it has been up and running for 80 years.
Meaning it was enjoyed by our parents when they were kids, and our grandparents when they were kids.
According to the website, admission remains free and opening hours are 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. daily, including weekends and public holidays. However, do note that if you want to go to hell, the Ten Courts of Hell closes at 6:00 p.m. (last entry at 5:45 p.m.).
The park is located right beside Haw Par Villa MRT station.
Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:
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