Merlion Park
A symbol of Singapore with a lion's head and fish's body. The 8.6-meter water-spouting Merlion statue faces Marina Bay Sands. It is the most visited free photo spot in Singapore.
Merlion Park sits at the mouth of the Singapore River where it flows into Marina Bay. The Merlion statue, completed in 1972, stands 8.6 meters tall and weighs 70 tons. Its lion head reflects the legend behind the name “Lion City,” and its fish body recalls the city's origins as a fishing village. Water spouts from its mouth into the bay, facing Marina Bay Sands, the ArtScience Museum, and the Supertrees of Gardens by the Bay across the water. It is Singapore's most classic photo, and visitors often take the popular “catching the water” pose. The park is free, and the Young Merlion stands behind the main statue. Nearby sights within walking distance include the Fullerton Hotel, the former General Post Office built in 1928; the Esplanade, a theater shaped like a durian with a terrace overlooking the bay; Clarke Quay on the Singapore River, with bars and river cruises (about SGD 25 for 40 minutes); the Raffles Landing Site and the colonial district museums; and the Helix Bridge across the bay. Suggested itinerary: at 18:00, walk from Raffles Place to the Merlion to watch the sunset as the city lights gradually come on across the bay. At 20:00, you can watch the Spectra water show at the Sands from here, then walk along the river to Clarke Quay for dinner. Getting there: it is an 8-minute walk from Raffles Place MRT Station, or a 10-minute walk from Esplanade Station. Note: there is no shade during the day. On weekends and holidays, queues form in front of the statue for photos. February and March may bring short-term maintenance barriers, so check before you go.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
- Asian Civilisations Museum
- ArtScience Museum
- National Gallery Singapore
- Marina Bay Sands
- Lau Pa Sat
- Raffles Hotel
- Singapore Flyer