A true test of courage for you to embark on this hungry ghost festival
“Watch where you are walking”, “try not to loiter around late at night”, are just some of the unspoken rules Singaporeans abide by during the months of August to September. It’s the Hungry Ghost Festival after all.
Activity review photo by Zhi Lin
Honestly, any outdoor activity you do after dark during this period can get a little creepy, but here’s the kick, are you game enough to test your courage by heading into the lion’s den?
Explore the paranormal during the seventh month in a safe and controlled environment and you’ll be surprised at the things that you’ll be able to learn! You may or may not see something extra, but you’ll definitely not be wanting to take home any free gifts during this period!
1. The Creepy Tales of Singapore Ghost and WWII Tour with Point to Point Transfer
We’re sure some of you have done this before as kids, planning to explore urban legends like the Red House in Pasir Ris or The Matilda House in Punggol only to bail at the entrance because someone in the group got spooked.
Well, here’s your chance to revisit the thrill from your childhood, only this time with a proper guide and ghost detecting equipment! Equal parts educational and chilling, (because seventh month) get chauffeured around Singapore as you visit spots of urban legends that includes World War 2 sites and even cemeteries!
Spook factor: 4/5 (It gradually gets spookier)
Accessibility: This activity is not stroller and wheelchair-accessible | This tour is not for the faint-hearted or people who are afraid of the dark | This tour is not recommended for infants
Meet-up point: Haw Par Villa MRT Station Exit A
2. Singapore Famous Murder and Ghost Story Tour
Anyone who has a slight interest in the paranormal would know that sites of killings and murders are usually one of the most haunted places, and yes, this includes battlefields that were used during the war too!
Embark on a tour of murder mysteries and haunted locations around the island by an Award Winning tour provider. Under the trusted supervision of licenced guides, learn more about the stories of famous murder cases like Adrian Lim and his "Ritual Child Killings" and explore legendary haunted sites like Old Changi Hospital.
Spook factor: 3.5/5
Accessibility: This activity is not stroller and wheelchair-accessible
Meet-up point: Braddell MRT Station, Exit A (Ground Level)
3. Cemetery Excursion in Bukit Brown
It would only be natural to find some sort of paranormal activity in cemeteries, let alone one of the biggest Chinese graveyards outside of China. If you’re into your local urban legends, you’d know that Bukit Brown cemetery is a famous paranormal hotspot, but don’t worry because this tour is conducted during the day!
More of an educational tour, you’ll learn about the storied history of our local Chinese ancestors and some famous names like Chew Joo Chiat and Gan Eng Seng who are also buried in this cemetery.
Spook factor: 2.5/5 (you may or may not feel a presence while you’re there)
Accessibility: This activity is not stroller and wheelchair-accessible
Meet-up point: Marymount MRT
4. Haunted Tour in Singapore
From high-profile murder stories to some of Singapore’s most haunted locations that happen to be mostly the east, experience one of the creepiest tours that you’ve ever been on as you uncover interesting nuggets of information about our country’s history and how they’re related so some of the creepiest urban legends that we know of today!
Spook factor: 2/5 (you may or may not feel a presence while you’re there)
Accessibility: This activity is not stroller and wheelchair-accessible
Meet-up point: Toa Payoh MRT
5. Haw Par Villa Walking Tour
While this is an actual theme park that depicts what it’s like during the afterlife, Haw Par Villa has quite the reputation of being one of the most haunted places in Singapore, with some even believing that it’s one of the gates to hell.
While that story is still debatable unless you’ve seen it with your own eyes, all we can say is that the park itself is pretty spooky even during the day, especially at the infamous 10 courts of Hell!
Spook factor: 3/5 (you may or may not feel a presence while you’re there)
Meet-up point: Haw Par Villa MRT Station, outside Exit A (Pasir Panjang Road)
6. Between Two Worlds Tour
While the centrepiece of this tour, the Tua Di Ya Peh are terrifying Taoist deities from hell with long tongues, tall hats, and torture instruments, this tour actually serves more as an educational trip rather than one that’s out to spook you!
Learn about why these deities, who are also known as the 1st and 2nd Granduncles, are so feared, yet so misunderstood, about the roles they played in the lives of our early migrant ancestors and the roles they continue to play today.
Fun fact: You’ll also come to know about the unusual objects and rituals used in their worship. Care for a pint of Guinness stout?
Spook factor: 2.5/5 (equal parts educational and spooky)
Accessibility: This activity is stroller and wheelchair-accessible
Meet-up point: Outside Burger King at The Central (6 Eu Tong Sen St)
