Tag: haw par villa

Dare To Take A Walk Through Hell? Go On Haw Par Villa’s 2-Hour Twilight Tour After Dark

When I was younger, my mother used to tell me tales of how misbehaving kids, sinners, and criminals would be tortured in Hell.

Growing up Taoist, I’ve heard of the Eighteen Levels of Hell, as well as the Ten Courts of Hell. I’m still not sure which is right, and I doubt anyone living really does. I would very much like for it to remain this way.

Point is, if you want a well-behaved child below the age of 10, then this is probably the best (read: traumatising) parenting power move you can execute.

If you’re wondering how my mother did it, allow me to introduce this quaint little theme park in Pasir Panjang.

Enter Haw Par Villa.

Singapore’s Only Free Theme Park

Previously known as Tiger Balm Gardens, Haw Par Villa is an Asian cultural park that’s a treasure trove of Asian philosophy, culture, and religion that was built way back in 1937 by millionaire philanthropist Aw Boon Haw.

The park is filled with various statues and sculptures that detail specific aspects of Taoism.

While entry to the park is free, you can also choose to join their daily guided tour for a small fee of $10 per adult or $5 per child.

There is also another guided tour that takes you through Haw Par Villa’s most well-known attraction, the Ten Courts of Hell.

Twilight Tour: Journeys To Hell

As its name suggests, the Twilight Tour takes you through Haw Par Villa, The Hell’s Museum and into the Ten Courts of Hell.

Every detail is vividly captured in the sculptures that line the tunnel. You’ll also come face to face with the King of Ghosts, and also discover his backstory of how he got his title.

You’ll also get to visit the Aw family memorials.

The tour takes place every Friday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Ticket prices are $20 per adult and $10 for children aged 7 to 12. If you’re a student, present your student card to the tour guide and get your ticket at the promotional student price of $15!

Get your tickets Also read 10 Budget-Friendly Karaoke Studios In S’pore From As Low As $1 For 2 Songs

(Header Image Source: Haw Par Villa)

If You Only Have Half A Day In Singapore, Here Are 10 Places You Must Visit

So you’ve just landed in Singapore for a short weekend getaway.

Splendid choice. Singapore’s a melting pot of cultures so there’re plenty of options to choose from when it comes to food and places to try and visit.

We’ve come up with a list of must-visit places in Singapore regardless of the length of your visit in Asia’s Little Red Dot.

1. Changi Village

Hidden away in the eastern coast of Singapore, on the northern point of Changi, is Changi Village.

It is situated far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, past the industrial buildings and next to the airport runway. The main reason people even come to Changi Village is for the food, and Pokemon Go. Rare Pokemon spawn here apparently.

The place is hard to get to unless you’re driving and it might seem a bit too out of the way to travel to, but the place possesses a quiet charm.

And that’s not all, it’s also a favourite haunt of NSFs who are posted to Pulau Tekong. After all, the SAF Ferry Terminal is just 5 minutes away.

If you’re there, be sure to head to Changi Village Hawker Centre. Don’t miss the International Muslim Nasi Lemak, easily the most iconic dish of Changi Village.

Also, hit up 89.7 Supper Club. No it’s not a radio station, but a popular 24-hour halal supper spot. Heads up, they serve really good halal dim sum.

That’s not all, Changi Point Ferry Terminal is also the connecting point for a ferry to Pulau Ubin.

So if you’re looking for some greenery and wilderness, it’s just a boat ride away.

2. Gardens By The Bay

The Gardens By The Bay is one of Singapore’s most popular attractions, and for good reason too. Opened in 2012, the sprawling park is home to some of the world’s most unique plants and flowers.

The Flower Dome is a marvel. Designed to resemble a giant seashell, this cool conservatory houses exotic plants from over 5 different continents.

The Cloud Forest is another spectacle, featuring unique tropical plants as well as the world’s tallest indoor waterfall at 35 metres. The journey through the conservatory will take you through the mist-filled Cloud Walk and you can even marvel at the views from up top on the Treetop Walk.

That’s not all, step into the SuperTree Grove and stroll through the towering Supertrees. It’s almost as if you’re in the world of Pandora from James Cameron’s Avatar.

The Gardens By The Bay is easily one of the most prominent attraction in Singapore, opposite the iconic Singapore city skyline.

Don’t forget your camera.

Gardens By The Bay
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Opening Hours: Daily: 5am – 2am
Contact no.: 6420 6848
Image Credit: Wikipedia[/caption]

It is Singapore’s largest outdoor art gallery and remains as a treasure trove of Asian culture, philosophy, history and religion.

The most iconic attraction in Haw Par Villa is the ‘Ten Courts of Hell‘.

[caption id="attachment_34380" align="aligncenter" width="825"] Image Credit: Ten Courts of Hell

If you’re wondering, ‘Lau Pa Sat’ is literally Hokkien for ‘Old Market’ and it was named so because it used to be a wet market when it was still situated in its original location by the waterfront, before it was moved into the financial district.

It was gazetted as a national monument on 6 July 1973 and converted into the hawker centre that it is today.

The hawker centre is a collection of the best local food. You’ll typically find tourists and executives from neighbouring MNCs having a pint here after work, with an accompanying platter of satay.

The Lau Pa Sat hawker centre also has a 24-hour Cheers convenience store, a shoe repair shop, a laundry store and a tailor.

Your Singapore experience isn’t complete without having at least one meal here.

Lau Pa Sat
Address: 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582
Opening Hours: Mon: 10am – 11pm, Tue, Thu – Sun: 10am – 10pm, Wed: 10.30am – 9.30pm

5. Marina Bay Sands SkyPark

In the past decade, the most prominent building to rise in the Singapore city skyline is Marina Bay Sands.

The hotel has become the most iconic building in Singapore and one of the must-visit spots is the Marina Bay SkyPark.

Sitting at 57 levels above the heart of the city, the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck offers 360 degrees of unblocked panoramic views of Singapore.

If you’re there at night, be sure to stay for Spectra, a 15-minute, free-for-public outdoor light and water show displayed at the Event Plaza along the promenade.

Be sure to bring your cameras because you cannot get any better views of Singapore anywhere else.

Marina Bay Sands SkyPark
Address: Level 57, Tower 3, 10 Bayfront Ave, Sands SkyPark
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 9.30am – 10pm, Fri – Sun: 9.30am – 11pm
Price: Adult: $23, Children Aged 2 – 12: $17, Senior Citizen: $20, Children Under 2, Hotel Guests: Free
Website

6. Maxwell Food Centre

Maxwell Food Centre is easily one of our favourite spots to eat.

A few minutes walk away from Tanjong Pagar MRT station, the food centre is a treasure trove of good food.

While people usually queue for Tian Tian Chicken Rice, we suggest that you ditch the queue and go for something more exciting.

Go for gravy goodness at the Hainanese Curry Rice stall or have a healthier meal with the Sliced Fish Soup from Jin Hua Fish Head Bee Hoon.

These are our 2 favourite stalls in Maxwell Food Centre.

Maxwell Food Centre has perpetually snaking queues in majority of their stalls. So come early, come hungry, and bring a friend so you can try as many dishes as possible.

Maxwell Food Centre
Address: 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184

7. Mustafa Centre

What initially started out as a store selling readymade garments in 1971 has since grown into a 24-hour, six floor, two-building shopping heaven.

Your first visit here may feel overwhelming as you’re bound to bump shoulders with tens of thousands of people squeezing their way through Mustafa’s narrow aisles.

You’ll find everything from homeware and electronics to clothes and groceries. With over 3,000 products on sale at bargained prices, you’re bound to fill your baskets with snacks, a random pair of sunglasses and perhaps a kettle that you managed to convince yourself that you’ll “eventually” need.

If you find yourself feeling a little peckish while doing your shopping, there’s a 400-seater restaurant called Kebabs ‘n Curries opened at the rooftop of Mustafa’s spanking new wing. You can enjoy everything from naan to dum briyani without the fine dining price tag.

Mustafa Centre is the one-stop place for everything. Just be sure to control your urge to buy everything while you’re here.

Mustafa Centre
Address: 145 Syed Alwi Road, Little India, Singapore 207704
Website

8. National Gallery Singapore

National Gallery Singapore is an art gallery that houses the world’s largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian art, with over 8,000 works of art.

Located in the Civic District, the National Gallery Singapore consists of 2 national monuments, namely the former Supreme Court and City Hall and is the largest visual arts venue and museum in Singapore.

The National Gallery also collaborates with international museums to jointly present Southeast Asian art in the global context.

Be sure to check out their website for updates on current exhibitions.

National Gallery Singapore
Address: 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957
Opening Hours: Daily: 10am – 7pm
Contact no.: 6271 7000
Website

9. Singapore Zoo

The Singapore Zoo, formerly known as the Singapore Zoological Gardens, was opened in 1973.

The zoo houses over 315 species of animals with about 16 percent considered to be threatened species. Look out for the white tigers!

Set in a rainforest environment, the Singapore Zoo is known for their ‘open concept’ where animals live in landscapes and environments that simulate their natural habitat.]

That’s not all, they have various live shows featuring Birds of Prey and Sea Lions!

If you’re looking for a world-class zoological experience, then you should pay a visit to the Singapore Zoo.

Singapore Zoo
Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
Opening Hours: Daily: 8.30am – 6pm
Contact no.: 6269 3411
Website

10. Southern Ridges & Henderson Waves Bridge

Singapore has always been known as Asia’s Greenest City and what better way to experience the natural greenery on our island city, than taking a hike on the Southern Ridges, a 10km trail that connects the parks along the southern ridge of Singapore.

The Southern Ridges trail connects Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park.

Mount Faber Park is one of the oldest parks in Singapore and is connected to Telok Blangah Hill Park by the Henderson Waves bridge.

If you’re looking for great photo opportunities and amazing views of the sunset, keep walking until you reach Henderson Waves bridge.

It is Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge with a unique wave-form design that forms alcoves that double as shelters with seats within.

The wave-forms are lit with LED lamps at night from 7pm to 2am daily, so you can pop by anytime.

It’s quite cathartic to just be there. Do pack bug spray though; mosquitoes are vicious.

Southern Ridges & Henderson Waves Bridge
Address: Henderson Road, Mount Faber Park, Singapore 099203
Website

Also read 7 Unique Sports Experiences That Can Only Be Found In Sentosa

(Header Image Source: Unsplash)

The Singaporean Bucket List – 10 Challenges You Die Die Must Complete

Boy does time fly. With half of the year now gone, it’s time to do possibly to a mini reflection, to ask if you’ve done anything worthy of a #throwback post for your future social media feeds. Oh the troubles of millennials, are we right?

Seriously, though, if you’re looking to create worthy memories you can churn into bar talk, here’s a bucket list of 10 challenges to complete before the year ends.

1. Go On  A Solo Bike Trip

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You’ve heard about all the good things about Pulau Ubin. How about taking things up a notch and experiencing them through a solo bike tour? Rental bike shops are aplenty on the island and once you’re good to go, cycle along the dedicated cycling track into the wetlands and see for yourself the beauty of the island.

The off-road track (especially the uphill climb) might get a little tough for the inexperienced cyclists but trust us, the scenery is worth all the effort. A little tip from us: check out the 2. Re-Visit Haw Par Villa

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Got your A game on? Stand a chance to walk away with a bucket of St. Miguel/St. Miguel light. Not available on Mondays? Molly Malone’s Quiz Night
Day/Time: Mondays / 7:30pm
Address: 56 Circular Rd, Singapore 049411
Contact number: +65 6536 2029

5. Take Up The Escape Room Challenge

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Think you’re the next Sherlock Holmes? Then it’s time to recruit your friends and take on an Escape Room challenge! The game objective is too simple: solve the puzzles and escape from a locked room within a given time. The difficulty levels and themes vary according to the type or rooms you pick.

We’re pretty blessed to have a variety of escape games available here in Singapore-,

6. Beach Hop At Sentosa

Do check out our Beach Guide before if you’re intending on planning a beach day out!

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7. Hunt The Haunted

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This is obviously not for the faint-hearted. You’ve probably heard of the Old Changi Hospital, but have you tried exploring the abandoned Fort Serapong,  and Old Tanglin Camp?

Whilst you’re at it, strap on a camera, film your adventure and make your very own ‘True Singapore Ghost Stories’. But remember, safety is of utmost importance and try to be respectful when visiting these places.

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8. Try All Salted Egg Yolk Dishes

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One of the biggest food trend in Singapore this 2016 has got to be having the salted egg yolk in every dish. There is the  Xiao Long Bao, Croissants, molten Cheese Tarts, Lava Toast, Onion Rings, Ice cream, Prata and also the super addictive someone-stop-us-from-eating-more Salted Egg Yolk Chips.

How many of these have you ticked off from your gourmet list? We’re not sure if Salted Egg Yolk is here to stay but be sure to try everything whilst the fad lasts. Do try to space out your dishes as y’know, high cholesterol.

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9. Volunteer For A Cause

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Let’s be honest. When was the last time you did something without expecting any returns? (and we’re not talking about mandatory volunteer work that you had to do to earn CIP hours). So take this time to do something good this year and volunteer at one of our many volunteer organisations!

If you’re more of an animal person, check out . All in for gender equality? Sign yourself up at Volunteer Guide for a thorough list of organisations where you can contribute to.

10. Bungy Jump

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Doesn’t matter if AJ Hackett Sentosa has yet to open but according to their For those who are not too fond of free falling, there is also the Vertical Skywalk (used by Navy Seals, The Army and Hollywood), Skybridge and Giant Swings (swing side by side reaching 120km/hr) to keep your adrenalin going.  Do follow their Facebook page for the latest updates.

Did our list get you all fired up? Do tell us how many challenges you managed to tick off the list!

(Header image by AJ Hackett, words by editor)

Also read: It’s Now Or Never – Snag These 8 Best Lifestyle Deals This GSS

Can You Escape From Haw Par Villa’s Scary Adventure Game?

Are you looking for a place to hang out with your family and friends this weekend? Look no further! Heads up to all thrill seekers, if you are up for some spooky adventures and mysteries to solve, Haw Par Villa is the place to go!

This Saturday, Haw Par Villa will be turned into a massive “stage” with its scary statues as props. There’ll also be actors playing Chinese folklore characters.

The story is set around the plot of a school excursion which ended prematurely with a series of mysterious events taking place after. Join the race to search for clues and solve puzzles to find out what happened!

Titled Journey to the End and Back, this escape game event is a family-friendly and team oriented activity.

Organised in partnership with Lockdown Singapore and Journey Pte Ltd, each game set lasts approximately an hour with 6 per team. Experience this large scale game in the 3.2ha park, with the game zone covering 1/3 of it.

Journey to the End and Back takes place on May 21, at Haw Par Villa. Time slots start at 11.45am and ends at 8.45pm. Some slots have already been sold out!

Tickets cost $25 per person or $120 for a group of 6. You may purchase tickets