10 stages in the Court of Hell at Haw Par Villa
(*Viewer Discretion Advised*)
*Please be forewarned, some of the photos in this post are graphic, and not for the faint of heart (or stomach).
Don’t have time to read the whole article? The best accommodation in Haw Par Villa, Singapore, is The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
How to Get There:
Fly to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). From the airport, take a taxi, rideshare, or MRT to Haw Par Villa. The nearest MRT station is Haw Par Villa Station on the Circle Line, just a short walk from the park.
Need more trip-planning tips? Check out our resource list below!
Why is Haw Par Villa historically significant?
Haw Par Villa is well-known for its representations of the Ten Courts of Hell from Chinese folklore. It holds nostalgic significance for many Singaporeans who visited during childhood, as their parents used the opportunity to teach them about traditional Chinese morality.
This was a fascinating part of the Haw Par Villa theme park, in Singapore. It describes, in detail, the torture and punishment for each sin one commits in a lifetime.
As you enter the tunnel, you are greeted by the first court’s king. The following descriptions of each Court are excerpts taken from inside the cave:
First Court of Hell – Yama: King Qinguang
In the First Court of Hell, King Qinguang conducts preliminary trials and each prisoner is judged according to his deeds in his past life. The ‘good’ is distinguished from the ‘evil’ and the King recommends appropriate reward or punishment. Punishment is then carried out in the various Courts.
Those with virtuous conduct in their past life will be lead over the ‘Golden Bridge’ to reach paradise.
Those whose past good deeds outweigh crimes committed will be sent to the ‘Silver Bridge’ to reach paradise.
Those who were evildoers in their past life will be sent to repent before the “Mirror of Retribution” and then taken to a subsequent Court of Hell to be punished.
Second Court of Hell – Yama: King Chujiang
| Crime | Punishment |
| Inflicting physical Injury | Thrown into a volcanic pit |
| Robbers | |
| Corruption | Frozen into blocks of ice |
| Stealing and Gambling | |
| Prostitutes | Thrown into a pool of blood and drowned |
Third Court of Hell – Yama: King Songdi
| Crime | Punishment |
| Ungratefulness | Heart cut out |
| Disrespect Elders | |
| Escape from Prison | |
| Drug addicts and traffickers | Tied to a red hot copper pillar and grilled |
| Tomb Raiders | |
| Urging People into crime |
Fourth Court of Hell – Yama: King Wuguan
| Crime | Punishment |
| Tax dodger | Pounded by a stone mallet |
| Business Fraud | |
| Disobedience to one’s siblings | Grounded by a large stone |
“Wang-Si” Town
This accommodates those who were wronged and driven to their death. They would be asked to view how their enemies receive retribution. They would then be judged on their past deeds and given an appropriate punishment.
Fifth Court of Hell – Yama: King Yanluo
| Crime | Punishment |
| Plotted another’s death for his property or money | Thrown onto a hill of knives |
| Moneylenders with exorbitant interest rates (ha!) |
The Viewing Home Tower is for the evildoers to see how their relatives and family are suffering as a result of their wrong-doings.
Sixth Court of Hell – Yama: King Piencheng
| Crime | Punishment |
| Cheating | Thrown onto a tree of knives |
| Cursing | |
| Abducting Others | |
| Misuse of books | Body sawed into two |
| Possession of pornographic material | |
| Breaking written rules and regulations | |
| Wasting Food |
Seventh Court of Hell – Yama: King Taishan
| Crime | Punishment |
| Rumours-mongers | Tongue pulled out |
| Sowing discord among family members | |
| Rapists | Thrown into a wok of boiling oil |
| Driving someone to their death |
Eighth Court of Hell – Yama: King Dushi
| Crime | Punishment |
| Causing trouble for parents or family members | Intestines and organs pulled out |
| Cheating during examinations | |
| Harming others to benefit oneself | Body dismemberment |
Ninth Court of Hell – Yama: King Pingdeng
| Crime | Punishment |
| Robbery | Head and arms chopped off |
| Murder | |
| Rape | |
| Any other unlawful conduct | |
| Neglect of the old and young | Crushed under boulders |
Tenth Court of Hell – Yama: King Zhuanlun
In the Tenth Court, there is a ‘Wheel of Reincarnation’ and the ‘Pavilion of Forgetfulness’ (Men-Po Pavilion).
After serving their sentences, prisoners arrive at the Tenth Court where King Zhuanlun passes final judgement. The prisoners are then brought to the ‘Pavilion of Forgetfulness’ where an old lady “Men Po” hands them a cup of magic tea which on drinking makes them forget their past lives.
They will then go through the ‘Wheel of Reincarnation’ – Samsara. Depending on the prisoner’s past life, they would be reborn either as a human or an animal. Some would be reborn into a life of ease and comfort while others into sorrow and suffering.
With the morbid side of it aside, I found this exceptionally interesting! My lesson has been learned – I will not be misusing books, or cheating during examinations any time soon!
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means WSE Travel may earn a small commission if you choose to book or buy through them—at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we believe can genuinely enhance your travel experience.
Stay – Accommodation
When visiting Haw Par Villa in Singapore, you’ll want accommodations that offer both convenience and comfort, so you can focus on enjoying the unique attractions nearby. Luckily, there are a variety of options just a short distance away, from budget-friendly hotels to upscale stays. The great thing about these accommodations is their proximity to Haw Par Villa, making it easy to pop back to your room if you need a break between sightseeing.
Some top recommendations for hotels near Har Paw Villa in Singapore:
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore is situated in the Central Business District, offering luxurious accommodations with an infinity pool, spa, and fitness center. Guests can enjoy easy access to nearby attractions, including Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. The hotel features elegantly designed rooms with a mini-bar, tea and coffee facilities, and stylish décor. Visitors can indulge in treatments at The Fullerton Spa or explore the luxury boutiques on site. With its prime location and range of amenities, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore provides an ideal base for travelers seeking comfort, elegance, and convenient access to the city’s vibrant attractions.
Check Rates and Availability here!
Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands in Singapore offers a luxurious stay with a rooftop swimming pool, fitness center, casino, and a variety of amenities, including a hot tub. Guests can enjoy sea views and dine at multiple on-site restaurants offering a mix of international and local cuisines, from brunch to dinner. Conveniently located in the city center, the hotel is within walking distance of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Sands SkyPark Observation Deck, and nearby attractions such as Gardens by the Bay. Praised for its infinity pool, scenic views, and lush surroundings, Marina Bay Sands provides an exceptional choice for relaxation and leisure in Singapore.
Check Rates and Availability here!
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore, offers elegant rooms with panoramic views of Marina Bay and the city skyline, creating a luxurious and comfortable stay. Guests can enjoy a mineral water pool, a well-equipped fitness center, and a variety of dining options, including international cuisine, Dim Sum, and afternoon tea. Conveniently located near City Hall MRT Station and major attractions such as The Esplanade, Singapore Flyer, and Suntec City, the hotel provides easy access to the vibrant heart of Singapore. With stylish décor, thoughtful amenities, and spectacular views, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay provides an exceptional base for both relaxation and exploration.
Check Rates and Availability here!
JOIN US! WSE Travel Packages
This sounds like quite the adventure, right? We thought so too! Though we realize it can be pretty intimidating to get out there into the world on your own, especially when travelling to some of these off the beaten path locations. We love it when our readers give it a shot and try it for themselves! In fact, please leave us feedback if you do!! If trying something ‘this’ adventurous on your own is just a bit outside of your comfort zone, WSE Travel is here to help!
Follow this link for our ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ Tours – packages that are highly personalized and tailored at your request.
Singapore Travel Resources
These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.
- Best Flight Deals: Trip.com – Trip is my favorite flight search engine. It is a flight aggregator that provides travelers with the best rates on airline tickets. Its innovative search finds the best option for specific travel dates by comparing airfares offered by all major airlines and agencies. The aggregator displays final prices, without any hidden fees. They are hands down the number one place to start.
- Best Hotel Deals: Booking.com – Booking is the best all-around hotel booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates because it compares all the other major hotel booking sites. They have the widest selection of comfortable accommodations. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
- Best Tour Deals: Where Sidewalks End (of course) – WSE Travel is a boutique tour operator with specially curated tours, events, and workshops. We have many tour options available in Asia and worldwide, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, art workshops, and more!
- Best Car Rental Deals: Discover Cars – If you want to have the freedom of mobility, renting a car is an incredible option – but finding the best deal can be a nightmare! Discover Cars scans all the major car rental sites and includes all mandatory fees, taxes, and extras in the quoted price so there won’t be any unpleasant surprises when you arrive at the rental desk.
- Best Travel Insurance Deals: SafetyWing – SafetyWing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to all your travel needs. They have cheap plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road. They even have subscriptions if you are planning long-term, without having to re-apply for each segment of your trip.
- Best E-Sim Provider: Airalo – Airalo is one of the most versatile e-sim providers I’ve ever found, offering e-sim in almost every country on earth! No need to take your home phone provider’s sim card out and risk losing it on your trip! As long as your phone has e-sim capabilities, Airalo has you covered at really good rates too, meaning you can be connected at all times on your trip!
- Best 100% Pick-pocket Proof Clothing Deals: Clever Companion – They make clothing specifically for travel, with hidden pockets to hide your valuables. From hoodies to briefs, they cover all your clothing needs – each with hidden pockets to hide your money, wallet, and anything else you want to keep safe!
- Best Eco-Safe Travel Products: TreeTribe – This company is just awesome! From water bottles to yoga pants, wallets to bikinis, and everything in between – all their products are great quality, and eco-friendly AND they plant a tree for every purchase!
- Best Outdoor Travel Product: LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
Have you ever been to a cultural centre that depicted such graphic figures to get a message across? Have you been a good citizen and not ‘misused books’? When faced with the mirror of truth – will you appear pure or evil in your reflection?
Read more up on Haw Par Villa here!
Please feel free to share your stories and thoughts in the comment section below!
Like This Post? Pin it for later!
Leave a Reply