Brothers Aw Boon Haw (1882-1954) and Aw Boon Par (1888-1944), were both born in Rangoon, British Burma, with Chinese ancestral original from Fujian Province, China.
In 1909, they inherited Eng Aun Tong, a small herbal shop founded by their late father Aw Chi Kim. Perfecting their father’s prescriptions, they began producing Ban Kim Ewe (Ten Thousand Golden Oils) for relief of body aches and pains, later renamed as Tiger Balm. The ointment soon became a household name in Rangoon and other parts of Southeast Asia.
In 1932, the Aw brothers had built the second largest Tiger Balm production facility in Hong Kong. Tan Kyi Kyi, Aw Boon Haw’s second wife, was fond of this city for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and more moderate climate. Haw thus purchased a steep rocky lot on Tai Hang Road, and built a residence for her. The house and its private garden, occupying 8 acres of land, was completed in 1936. Although the house was built for Aw Boon Haw’s family, the brothers named it with both their names as Haw Par Mansion.
Haw Par Mansion is one of the few surviving specimens of the Chinese Eclectic style architecture in Hong Kong, and an invaluable heritage site. Adjoining the Mansion and its private garden was the landscaped Tiger Balm Garden, opened in the same year for public enjoyment and has since become part of the collective memories of generations of Hong Kong people.
Haw Par Mansion and its private garden have been preserved and passed to the HKSAR Government in 2001, and the Tiger Balm Garden was demolished in 2004 for redevelopment. The premise was accorded Grade 1 historic building status in 2009. Our visit involves a tour of mansion and garden.
With the support of the HKSAR Government’s Revitalising Historic Buildings through Partnership Scheme, Aw Boon Haw Foundation and Haw Par Music Foundation Limited has converted Haw Par Mansion into Haw Par Music, a music and social initiative.
Haw Par Music Museum is now a centre for cross-cultural exchange through music, heritage and arts, with a social initiative. It aims to create a unique place where the heritage of the Haw Par Mansion integrates with vibrant and enriched music education and arts programmes for the Hong Kong community. It also serves to develop broader cultural understanding for the enrichment of life, future community and service leaders, and to enhance the harmony through music.
Admission: HK$100 for members, HK$150 for guests/non-members
Booking: Please email membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk in advance to register your planned attendance.