Merlion Park
Merlion Park · 1 Fullerton Road, Singapore 049213
Last updated 2026-10-30
By Global Travel Guide Editorial Team
Introduction
The fish body refers to Singapore's origins as a fishing village called Temasek, while the lion head comes from the legend of Prince Sang Nila Utama, who named the island Singapura. Fraser Brunner designed the creature for the Singapore Tourism Board in 1964, and sculptor Lim Nang Seng made the concrete statue, unveiled in 1972 at the mouth of the Singapore River. It weighs 70 tonnes and stands 8.6 metres tall, with a smaller 2-metre cub behind it. Both were moved to the present site at One Fullerton in 2002, where the statue now faces Marina Bay with Marina Bay Sands behind it. The park is busiest at sunset and during the evening light show. Admission is free and the park stays open 24 hours; early morning is quietest. Raffles Place MRT is a short walk away, and the promenade continues to the Esplanade.
Ticket Price
Free admission.
Opening Hours
Open daily, 24 hours.
Transportation
Raffles Place MRT (NS26/EW14) is a short walk; Marina Bay MRT is also nearby. The park sits at 1 Fullerton Road beside Marina Bay.
Best Season
In Singapore, it stays hot and humid year-round; Jun-Sep and Dec-Feb are slightly drier windows. Mild, dry periods are the most comfortable windows to visit.
Pro Tip: Go early for photos
Local Tips You'd Only Learn After Visiting
The details official guides skip — save time, avoid crowds, and get better photos.
1
Go early for photos The Merlion is a quick stop and gets busy by mid-morning. Visit early, take the classic Marina Bay photo, and walk the promenade.
Member-Only Tips
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Frequently Asked Questions3 questions
It is Singapore's mascot, a creature with a lion's head and a fish's body, unveiled in 1972. The statue is 8.6 m tall and weighs 70 tonnes.
The lion refers to the legend of Sang Nila Utama seeing a lion and naming the island Singapura; the fish body recalls the fishing village origins of Singapore.
The original statue stood at the mouth of the Singapore River and was moved to Merlion Park in 2002. A smaller cub statue stands behind it.