In 1978, the year that Friends of the Museums was founded, one of the top “must see” places for any tourist (and for locals) in Singapore, was Haw Par Villa (also known as Tiger Balm Gardens). Over the years, as more attractions were built, Haw Par Villa declined in popularity, and faded out from tourist itineraries and Singaporeans’ memories. Thankfully in recent years it has been revived and is now enjoying a come- back.

Haw Par Villa was the first, and is the last, of its kind in the world – a Chinese cultural theme park.  It was built in 1937 by Aw Boon Haw aka the Tiger Balm King, to showcase Chinese folklore, legends, history and Confucian ideology. Let Explore Singapore take you there to discover the meanings behind the more than 1000 sculptures and dioramas set within a surreal landscape in this 8.5 hectare theme park.  Experience a part of old Singapore which is unique, bizarre and fascinating, and listen to the intriguing stories behind the park and the illustrious Aw brothers on our guided tour.

About the time FOM was formed in Singapore (1978), the government decided (in 1977) to clean up the Singapore River and transform it from a natural sewer to its present state, from a commercial lifeline to waterside entertainment and recreation. Once the heart of the island’s economy, the river now plays a crucial role in securing adequate water resources and revitalizing the city centre. The makeover took ten years.

As part of FOM’s 40^th anniversary commemoration, join us on this special tour to reminisce about the old river and contrast the new with the old. We will take a history walk among high-rise office blocks to a mosque in the old Kampong Melaka, a Daoist clan temple once on the riverbank, and refurbished riverside godowns. Then we board a bumboat at Clarke Quay for a 45-minute ride to Marina Bay and, amidst imposing old civic buildings and skyscrapers, catch a glimpse of fishermen and pirates along the mangrove banks, Raffles and Farquhar stepping off a rowboat at Kampong Temenggong, coolies bent under sacks of produce for a rapidly growing commercial hub …