Originally called Tiger Balm Gardens, Haw Par Villa was built on Pasir Panjang Road in 1937 by Aw Boon Haw, a prominent businessman and philanthropist who wanted to use the gardens to educate the public about Chinese culture. Visitors are able to view a wide range of sculptures and displays that are intrinsically tied to Chinese legend and traditions. Scenes from popular Chinese folk stories such Journey to the West, as well as ornately-designed pagodas and pavilions, can be seen throughout the gardens. Together with his younger brother, Boon Par, the Aw brothers were synonymous with Tiger Balm, the renowned ointment for aches and pains, which they successfully marketed in Singapore and around the region during the early 20th century.
