Merlion Park

Merlion Park marks one of Singapore’s most photographed and enduring landmarks. Named for the mythical Merlion—half lion, half fish—it stands at the edge of Marina Bay and serves as both a cultural emblem and a subtle reminder of the city’s layered past. Despite its fame, the site remains largely unobtrusive—quiet, open, and approachable even in a city that never stops moving.

Designed in the late 1960s by Kwan Sai Kheong and sculpted by Lim Nang Seng, the original statue was unveiled in 1972. Its lion head signifies Singapore’s name, “Singapura” (meaning “lion city”), while the fish body refers to its origins as the fishing village Temasek. The Merlion stands about 8.6 meters tall, weighs roughly 70 tons, and continues to spout water into the bay.

When Marina Bay’s landscape shifted with the addition of Esplanade Bridge, the statue was carefully relocated in 2002 to its current spot facing the waterfront and in front of the Fullerton Hotel—expanding the park around it and reaffirming its symbolic presence.

Merlion Park is an unguarded public space that invites easy passage—whether for a short stand under the statue, a casual photo moment, or a slow turn into Marina Bay’s changing light. As an urban heart, it also pairs well with a amble down the Jubilee Bridge toward the Esplanade or a viewpoint over the water at the edge of the CBD.

Despite its tourist reputation, the park is at its most meaningful during quiet transitions—from early mornings with gentle light and fewer crowds to evenings when the city lights pulse across the water. The Merlion’s constant stream of water contrasts with the static urban skyline, quietly bridging myth and the living city around it

Open 24 hours, everyday.

Free Entrance