Merlion Park, Public park near Marina Bay, Singapore
Merlion Park is a waterfront green space along Marina Bay in the heart of Singapore, facing the harbor district. The best-known figure here is a white stone sculpture of a hybrid creature with a lion head and fish tail, spouting water from its mouth into the bay and standing on a low platform at the water's edge.
Sculptor Lim Nang Seng and his children created the stone figure in 1972 at the original site near the mouth of the Singapore River. The entire structure was later relocated in 2002 to its current spot at One Fullerton to allow for a better view of the bay.
The name Singapore comes from the Malay word Singapura, meaning Lion City, reflected in the head of the statue. The fish tail reminds visitors that this area was once a small fishing village called Temasek before the modern city emerged.
The site is accessible around the clock and sits just a short walk from Raffles Place MRT station. Early morning or late evening hours offer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, making photography easier.
Next to the large figure stands a smaller cub that measures only about 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall and is also carved from white stone. Together, both sculptures weigh more than 70 tons and were built to spray water from a recirculating system into the bay.
Location: Downtown Core
Inception: April 25, 2002
GPS coordinates: 1.28683,103.85500
Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:33
Public squares across Asia combine historical significance with contemporary urban life. These spaces have served as centers for commerce, political gatherings and social events for centuries, reflecting the cultural evolution of their regions. Visitors encounter monuments symbolizing national identity, religious sites preserving spiritual traditions, and architecture spanning from imperial dynasties to the present day. Notable examples include Tiananmen Square in Beijing, one of the world's largest public plazas, and Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, a 17th-century masterpiece of Persian urban planning. In Kathmandu, Durbar Square showcases Newari architecture, while Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul merges modern urban design with historical references. Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul sits between Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks, and Rizal Park in Manila commemorates the Philippine independence movement. These squares remain active components of urban life, offering travelers opportunities to experience local customs, street markets and seasonal festivals.
Singapore combines modern architecture with cultural diversity within a compact area, providing photographers with varied settings just a few subway stations apart. The city features futuristic sites such as the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, standing 25 to 50 meters tall (82 to 164 feet), Marina Bay Sands with its 200-meter (656-foot) high rooftop, and the Helix Bridge, a pedestrian walkway designed to resemble a DNA double helix. The historic districts contrast with these modern structures. Chinatown retains its Chinese temples and arcade houses, Little India its spice markets and colorful facades, while Haji Lane in Kampong Glam lines with independent boutiques and wall murals in a narrow alley. The Merlion Park at Marina Bay, with its 8.6-meter-long (28 feet) statue blending lion and fish, remains the most photographed symbol of the city-state. Sentosa’s beaches, accessible by cable car, add a coastal element to this dense urban landscape.
Merlion
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