The mansion was the family home of Aw Boon-haw, one of the founders of the Tiger Balm brand. He built the mansion in 1935, and the structure demonstrates a unique mix of Chinese and Western architectural styles. The interior includes painted-glass windows from Italy, moldings gilded with gold, and reliefs demonstrating a mix of mythological scenes from India and Aw's native home of Burma.
Hong Kong's Tiger Balm Garden was converted into an amusement park called "Haw Par Villa" in 1985. Many of the sculptures were replaced with rides, but the venture hemorrhaged money. The rides were eventually removed and replaced with the old statues. Admission became free, and the site was a popular, kitschy place for families to visit before demolition.
Aw Sian, heir to the Tiger Balm Garden and mansion in Hong Kong, sold the property in 1998 to Li Ka-shing's Cheung Kong Holdings. After negotiating with the government, Cheung Kong passed control of the mansion back to the public. Development Bureau in late 2008 invited the public to submit letters of intent on the revitalization of Haw Par Villa, after the detailed study of the activation purposes, it will open for tenders. But up to now, Haw Par Villa is not yet re-open.
Development Bureau held Haw Par Villa open days onoctober 30 to 31 and november 5 to 7, it is aimed to let the public to understand the historical and architectural features of the villa, and to express their views on activating the Haw Par Villa.
In my opinion, I think that the Hong Kong governemnt should consider to turn Haw Par Villa into a theme park again. It is because Haw Par Villa is an great place which gives the public a chance to experience the
unparalleled culture in such a busy city.
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