Things even Hong Kong girls might not know, exploring Tiger Balm Villa, encountering mysterious Eastern aesthetics

In-depth Tour Hong Kong In-depth Tour | Beautiful Scenic Check-in Spot Dear family, today I must share with you a hidden gem in Hong Kong — Tiger Balm Villa 🐅 It was once closed, and I thought we might never see it again, but luckily now you can visit and take photos! Tiger Balm Villa was built in 1935 by the overseas Chinese tycoon brothers Hu Wenhu and Hu Wenbao. The villa’s name comes from their two names. Back then, the Hu brothers made a fortune from "Tiger Balm" and even became "newspaper kings." This villa is no ordinary place — red walls and green tiles paired with creamy white walls and emerald green palace-style roofs. It features Chinese flying eaves and moon gates, and inside the main hall are paintings of Jiang Taigong fishing and the Eight Immortals crossing the sea. It also incorporates Western-style window sills, fireplaces, and Italian lacquered glass windows — a perfect blend of East and West. Talking about Hong Kong in the 90s, it was truly glorious! The film industry was dominated by the "Double Chow and Stephen" box office hits, with countless classics like "Flirting Scholar" and "Once Upon a Time in China," which are still fascinating to watch today. In the music scene, the "Four Heavenly Kings" were blazing across Asia, and their songs played everywhere on the streets. Hong Kong was full of energy, with rapid economic growth and bustling scenes straight out of Hong Kong movies — a golden era in the hearts of many Hong Kong girls. Originally, Tiger Balm Villa was connected to a very popular Tiger Balm Garden. The garden’s sculptures and murals told many mythological stories, like the "Eighteen Levels of Hell," depicting scenes of walking on blades and plunging into oil pots. Many parents used to bring their kids there to visit and teach them to be kind, though it scared quite a few children 😆 Although the Tiger Balm Garden is gone now, the main villa and private garden have been preserved and revitalized as Tiger Balm Park, which you can visit for free by appointment. Inside, there are relief sculptures moved from the garden, like the iconic "Mr. Tiger," perfect for photo memories. There are also many custom-made stained glass windows from Florence, Italy, painted with symbols representing the villa’s owners — the "Tiger" and the homophone "Bat," which means good fortune. These were airlifted from Italy, and when sunlight shines through, the light and shadow are stunning, making for amazing photos 📸 To visit Tiger Balm Villa now, you need to book a guided tour in advance. Tours run from Friday to Sunday and on public holidays (except Lunar New Year’s Day to the third day). There are four sessions daily, each with 24 spots, and it’s free! You must book through the Antiquities and Monuments Office website, with a maximum of two spots per person. Remember to book early, as it’s first-come, first-served, and no on-site registration is allowed. After booking successfully, you will receive an email confirmation, which you must show at the entrance. Getting there is convenient — you can take the minibus route 21M or buses 11, 41A, or 63 and get off at the Sheung Lin bus stop. After visiting Tiger Balm Villa, you’ll truly feel Hong Kong’s unique historical charm and cultural allure. Family, when you come to Hong Kong, you must explore this place — you might even run into a Hong Kong drama filming crew! Remember to book in advance so you don’t miss out~