Bloody caves where demons impale sinners and other people drown in pools of blood should not a part of your typical amusement park.
The vast park complex, which houses greater than 1,000 statues and dioramas depicting Asian culture, faiths and philosophy, is home to the Hell Museum, which presents different religious views on the afterlife.
Visitors are encouraged to learn in regards to the 10 Courts of Hell through detailed descriptions of the punishments for earthly sins.
For example, in court number two a person is frozen in ice for corruption, and rapists in court number seven are thrown into boiling oil.
One person’s heaven could also be one other person’s hell
“The sculptures and dioramas are a visual exploration of many classics, histories and moral values that are familiar and respected by many Singaporeans,” Teo said.
Gin Goldberg, a tourist, said she was not surprised that many religions have divergent views on the afterlife.
“One person’s heaven may be another person’s hell,” the American said.
This quaint park stands out from other popular Singapore tourist attractions, corresponding to the posh shops at Marina Bay Sands and the majestic “supertrees” at Gardens by the Bay.
Haw Par Villa was inbuilt 1937 by entrepreneur Aw Boon Haw, known for co-creating the beloved Asian pain reliever Tiger Balm.
While the park is fondly remembered by older generations, Journeys, the corporate that manages the park, says it has trouble attracting Gen Z and younger millennials.
To drum up interest, several raves and other private events were organised there – but these weren’t closely linked to the religious exhibitions.
“After they got here here [for the parties] fell in love with this quirky, eccentric park, these cool sculptures. They fell in love with them and so they keep coming back,” said Savita Kashyap, executive director of Journeys.
While Haw Par Villa isn’t just in regards to the afterlife and its delights, with scenes from Chinese folklore corresponding to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms also on display, its hellish appeal stays its biggest draw.
But not for everybody.
“It’s very scary,” she said.
