Why You Need To Visit

• Half Lion, Half Fish

  With a head of a lion and a body of a fish, this beloved symbol has inspired myriad works of art and poetry. The Merlion’s fish-like body symbolises Singapore’s origins as a fishing village, known as Temasek—a name which comes from same root as the word tasek (lake in Malay). The statue’s head represents the city’s original name of Singapura (lion city in Sanskrit).

• The Story Behind the Statue

  Spouting water from its mouth, the Merlion statue stands at 8.6 metres and weighs 70 tonnes. Originally located at the mouth of the Singapore River, it was built by local craftsman Lim Nang Seng, designed by Kwan Sai Kheong, and unveiled on 15 September 1972 by then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

  
  

  With the completion of Esplanade Bridge in 1997, the statue could no longer be viewed clearly from the waterfront and was relocated to the Merlion Park, which stands in front of Fullerton Hotel and overlooking Marina Bay.

• Unwind Along the Singapore River

  Whether you're looking to stroll along the river or catch a ride on a bumboat, the Singapore River is certainly worth exploring. From its origins as a fishing village known as Temasek, to its role as a trading port under the British Empire, the Lion City’s history has been inseparable from that of the Singapore River.