Built on Pasir Panjang Road in 1937 by Aw Boon Haw, Haw Par Villa was originally called Tiger Balm Gardens. The villa housed an entertainment and educational park showcasing statues and tableaux that portrayed anecdotes from Chinese legends and folklore. It also depicted the livelihoods of the different classes in Chinese society. A prominent businessman and philanthropist, Aw’s name became synonymous with Tiger Balm, the renowned analgesic product that he and his younger brother, Aw Boon Par, successfully marketed in Singapore and around the Southeast Asian region.
