Merlion Park

Merlion Park

Merlion Park is the smallest park in Singapore, covering an area of just 71 square meters. It is located at the mouth of the Singapore River, where the iconic Merlion statue stands by the riverside, serving as a national symbol of Singapore. The sculpture stands 8 meters tall and weighs 40 tons, with water gushing from the lion’s mouth. It was jointly sculpted in 1972 by sculptor Mr. Lim Nang Seng and his two children. The Merlion is a lion-headed, fish-bodied figure seated atop waves. Its design concept merges fact with legend: the lion head represents the legendary “Lion City” of Singapore, while the fish tail symbolizes the ancient city of “Temasek,” reflecting Singapore’s origins as a small fishing village.

According to ancient texts, Singapore was once called Temasek, meaning “Sea Town” in Javanese. In the 14th century, legend has it that an ancient Indonesian prince discovered the island and spotted a mystical beast, which was later identified as a lion. Thereupon, the prince named the island “Singapura”—meaning “Lion (Singa) City (Pura)” in Sanskrit. Today, over a million visitors from around the world come specifically to Merlion Park each year to take photos with the world-famous Merlion. The surrounding area is home to many of Singapore’s iconic landmarks, including the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, the City Hall, the Supreme Court, the Victoria Theatre, the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, and more, making it a must-visit destination for tourists.