Most tourists in Singapore visit places like Gardens by the Bay or famous hawker stalls. But in the southwest of the island, there’s a very different attraction—Haw Par Villa, home to the world’s first museum about death and the afterlife, known as the Hell Museum.
Built in 1937 by the Tiger Balm founders, Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, the park was meant to teach Chinese myths and values to children. The highlight is the 10 Courts of Hell, showing punishments for sins in the Chinese Buddhist afterlife.
Over time, the park has undergone extensive rebuilding and modernization. The 10 Courts are now inside an air-conditioned space and also explain how different religions—Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam—view death and the afterlife. The gruesome displays focus on karmic justice and the importance of respecting elders, reminding visitors that their actions have consequences.
For many Singaporeans, visiting Haw Par Villa is a childhood memory, like taking photos with the fun, kitschy statues. Today, it’s a mix of macabre and educational, attracting both curious tourists and nostalgic locals.
Haw Par Villa is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets for the Hell Museum cost $20 for adults and half-price for children. Visiting the park outside the museum is free.
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