The Merlion was originally designed in 1964 as a logo for the Singapore Tourism Board.
The lion head symbolizes the city's original name, Singapura, meaning 'Lion City' in Sanskrit.
The fish body represents Singapore's humble origin as a fishing village known as Temasek.
The main statue is constructed from concrete, while the outer skin is comprised of ceramic tiles.
The statues were sculpted by local craftsman Lim Nang Seng.
The water jet system is powered by a high-pressure pump hidden beneath the statue structure.
The park's location provides a panoramic view of the 1928 Fullerton Building, a former post office turned luxury hotel.
Merlion Park is the waterfront home to Singapore's national icon, a 8.6-meter tall statue featuring a lion's head on a fish's body. The site also hosts a smaller, two-meter tall Merlion cub statue nearby. Water is continuously ejected from the primary statue's mouth into the Marina Bay. The park sits at the mouth of the Singapore River. The site was redeveloped to offer direct waterfront views of the Marina Bay Sands resort and the ArtScience Museum. The current location is a relocation from its original site at the Esplanade Bridge, where it stood from 1972 until 2002.
The lower-level viewing deck provides the best angle for capturing the statue's water jet with the Marina Bay skyline in the background.
Visit during the early morning to beat the heavy crowds and humidity.
Bring an umbrella or raincoat if you plan to stand directly in front of the statue, as winds often spray water onto the viewing platform.
Check the official weather forecast, as the park is entirely outdoors with limited natural shade.
Avoid taking taxis directly to the park gate, as traffic congestion is frequent; walking from the nearby commercial district is usually faster.
