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A Guide to Hell’s Museum: A Tour from Hell and Back
Haw Par Villa’s Hell’s Museum is one of the island’s most intriguing and unusual attractions, offering an eclectic mix of bizarre and fascinating dioramas of Chinese mythology, death, and the afterlife.
They’ve thankfully toned down the chilling sound effects of screams and torture, but the eerie allure remains. I highly recommend this museum to anyone with a strong, adventurous spirit (I know I do!).
If you’re curious about the mystique of this place, here’s a simple Hell’s Museum guide to keep you on the edge of your seat!
Things To Know
Address: 262 Pasir Panjang Road, Haw Par Villa
Contact Details: +65 6773 0103
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Admission Fee:
- Adults: $20
- Child: $10
How to Get to Hell’s Museum
By Train: Take the train on the Circle Line and alight at Haw Par Villa MRT Station CC25.
By Bus: Take Bus 30, 10, 30E 51, 188, 200, or 143 and alight at Pasir Panjang Road Bus Interchange. Haw Par Villa is only a short walk from there.
By Car: There is parking within Haw Par Villa. Park at the main entrance or at Science Park & Westway Shopping Mall if it’s full.
What is the Hell’s Museum?
From hawparvilla.sg
Haw Par Villa’s Hell’s Museum is a vast exhibition showcasing the different stages or levels of the afterlife from different beliefs and religions. It’s considered the island’s first museum to depict death and the mysteries of the afterlife.
What to Expect Inside Hell’s Museum
The Ten Courts of Hell
From hawparvilla.sg
In Chinese mythology, the Ten Courts of Hell are ruled by ten different kings. In the museum, one alleyway is completely dedicated to showcasing each of these kings and the levels of the afterlife they ruled.
The dioramas are shown in order, and the scenes become more gruesome the further you walk down the alleyway. They’re supposed to show the different punishments reserved for people who committed the most vile sins.
Tip:
- The scenes depicted in the exhibitions are graphic and slightly violent, so it’s not the safest place to bring your kids. Consider skipping this part of the museum if you’re bringing children with you.
Death and the Afterlife Across Religions
From hawparvilla.sg
Apart from the Ten Courts of Hell, you’ll also find 4 different galleries dedicated to different views of death and the afterlife from several religions. This part of the museum is where you’ll learn about how death and burials are practised around the world.
A few examples are Latin America’s Day of the Dead; China’s traditional funeral rites, like Taoist services; and more practices from Christian, Muslim, and Sikh communities in Singapore.
Tip:
- Take your time to read the plaques on each side of the gallery. This part of the museum is more informative, so ask your tour guide questions!
Outdoor Diagrams and Gardens
From hawparvilla.sg
In the alfresco areas of the museum, you’ll find several dioramas of Chinese deities depicting folklore. Not all of them depict death, but they mostly show scenes of filial piety according to Confucius.
This part of the museum is the least graphic and gruesome. It’s a good end (or start) to your tour around the museum juxtaposed to its more graphic depictions of the afterlife.
Tip:
- This part of the museum is child-friendly. Feel free to bring your kids here and show them the different dioramas displayed there (or ask the help of a staff member to explain what exactly they’re depicting here).
