Merlion Park
Merlion Park · Marina Bay, Singapore
An 8.6-m water-spouting Merlion, Singapore's 'city totem'
Know before you go
- Don't climb the statue
- don't smoke or litter in the park
- don't be loud and disturb others.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
The Lion City's name and the Merlion
The name 'Singapura' comes from the Sanskrit for 'lion city'; earlier, this maritime trading port was called 'Temasek'. In 1819 Raffles established a British trading port here, beginning Singapore's modern history. The Merlion is a much later symbol: in 1964 Fraser Brunner, curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium, designed this lion-headed, fish-bodied emblem for the Singapore Tourism Board; in 1971–1972 the sculptor Lim Nang Seng made the Merlion statue at the mouth of the Singapore River, unveiled by Lee Kuan Yew on 15 September 1972. In 2002 the statue was moved in one piece to its current site in Merlion Park.
Source: Wikipedia: Merlion; Wikipedia: Singapore
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Completed in 1972, a statue with a fish's body and a lion's head: the fish tail commemorates the fishing village of 'Temasek', and the lion's head comes from the legend of 'Singapura' (Lion City). It's where Singaporean identity begins — every local has childhood memories of a photo with it. When the lights come on at night, the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer form Marina Bay's classic skyline.
Local customs
- As everywhere in Singapore: obey the law and keep order, and don't litter in the park
- queue for photos with the statue and don't climb it.
Religion & beliefs
- A secular city symbol
- no religious affiliation.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Singapore: chewing gum, e-cigarettes and littering
- Clear chewing gum out of your luggage before arrival (except medical and dental gum approved by the Health Sciences Authority)
- Put rubbish in the bin
- Carrying or using e-cigarettes; bringing them in for personal use is also illegal
- Littering
E-cigarettes are completely illegal; police can fine you on the spot for littering.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Singapore travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't climb the statue
- don't smoke or litter in the park
- don't be loud and disturb others.
Locals appreciate DO
- Singaporeans appreciate visitors taking creative 'catching the water' photos in front of the Merlion
- stopping at Lau Pa Sat for satay and having afternoon tea at Raffles Hotel, birthplace of the Singapore Sling, is the classic way to do it.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | Open all year; loveliest from evening into the night |
|---|
Travel tips
- Good all year, most beautiful from dusk into the night. Free
- combine with Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay (the Supertree light show) for an evening tour
- walkable from Raffles Place MRT.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Chicken rice
- Laksa
- Char kway teow
Chicken rice, laksa, char kway teow, Hokkien prawn noodles, iced shaken tea / sugar-cane juice
| Where to eat | Restaurants at One Fullerton next to the park, a walk to Lau Pa Sat hawker centre, Boat Quay restaurants |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Don't feed birds or litter by the park's waterfront; return trays at hawker centres |
| Typical price per person | SGD 15–35 ≈ CNY 83–193 |
| Tips | Lau Pa Sat's evening Satay Street, with skewers grilled in the open air, has the most atmosphere. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
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Wiki Farazi · CC0
Photos
Photos
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
CEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources & verification notes
Compiled from Singapore Tourism Board attraction information
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