You’ve probably seen images of Singapore’s national icon, the mythical Merlion with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. This merlion is to welcome all visitors to Singapore. Standing tall at 8.6 metres high and weighs as heavy as 70 tonnes, it was designed since 1964. It is originally located at the mouth of the Singapore River. It then settled into its new home here at Merlion Park, located next to One Fullerton, overlooking scenic Marina Bay.
A fishy tale
There are five authorised Merlion statues around Singapore today.
The body symbolises Singapore's humble beginnings as a fishing village when it was called Temasek, meaning 'sea town' in Old Javanese.
Its head represents Singapore’s original name, Singapura, or ‘lion city’ in Malay.
Today, you can glimpse this legend at Merlion Park. Spouting water from its mouth, the Merlion statue stands tall at 8.6 metres and weighs 70 tonnes.
This icon is a ‘must-see’ for tourists visiting Singapore, similar to other significant landmarks around the world.
Built by local craftsman Lim Nang Seng, it was unveiled on 15 September 1972 by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the mouth of the Singapore River, to welcome all visitors to Singapore.
On the move
But with the completion of Esplanade Bridge in 1997, the statue could no longer be viewed clearly from the waterfront.
So in 2002, the Merlion was relocated 120 metres away from the original position to where it stands in Merlion Park today, in front of Fullerton Hotel and overlooking Marina Bay.
The park also houses a smaller Merlion statue. Known as the ‘Merlion cub’, it stands at 2 metres tall and weighs three tonnes.
The original sculpture and its cub are the most well-known among the seven approved Merlion statues in Singapore.
See if you can spot the rest on your trip here: there’s a giant version on Sentosa, one at Tourism Court near Grange Road and another at Mount Faber.
Location : 1 Fullerton Square, Singapore 049178.
How to go:
By MRT:
*MRT Station: Raffles Place (NS26/EW14)
From there: 5 minute walk
Take Exit H when leaving the station. Walk along Battery Road towards the Fullerton Hotel. Cross Fullerton Road and arrive at the Park along the bay next to the Esplanade Bridge.
Raffles Place MRT Station is the nearest MRT station to Merlion statue. But Merlion are not directly outside the mrt station. You have to walk along the river called the Singapore River towards Fullerton Hotel first. Behind fullerton hotel we had to cross the road in the direction of the building that reads One Fullerton, where if we are in the Fullerton Hotel means towards the same direction as the boat-shaped high-rise buildings at the peak of the Marina Bay Sands hotel. Merlion statue is located just next to the One Fullerton building
Details how to get lion statue Merlion Park with the MRT is as follows. Usually I prefer to get out of the exit door G of the Raffles Place MRT station towards UOB Tower first. Only later after the exit of the underground turn right down the river. Just walk straight it will look antique architecture building the Fullerton Hotel on the right. Just keep the street beside the hotel building, without the need to cross the river. It’s okay to walk beside the hotel cafe dining. Then after walking straight we will meet highway. Look for the intersection can be seen not far from there. At junctions, it sure looks writings One Fullerton building opposite. Now the task we live across the street toward the direction of One Fullerton, then go down to the bottom of the stairs of the bridge. Down from the ladder will definitely look Merlion statue.
*If you plan to visit and see Marina Bay Sands, heading to Marina Bay MRT station on North South Line and 4 minutes of walking from the station to the resort.
By Bus :
Bus Stop: B03011
From there: 3 minute walk
Catch Bus 10, 10E, 19, 57, 70, 75, 100, 107, 128, 130, 131, 162, 167, or 196. Get to the east side of Fullerton Road. Head to the Bay.
By Taxi :
Just say “to the Merlion”. All taxi drivers in the city will know how to get you there.
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