Monday, March 11, 2013

Merlion Park in Singapore

Singapore is know by many unofficial and poetic nicknames; the Lion City being the more popular one.  So it shouldn't come as a surprise that one of most famous tourist spots here would involve a 8.6 meter high statue of this majestic beast (well, half of it is anyway).

A crowded Merlion Park on a hot Friday afternoon

Located along One Fullerton, the 2,500 sqm. Merlion Park is home to this 70 ton Singaporean heavyweight icon.  A mythical creature -- a chimera with a lion's head on top of a fish's body, spewing out water from its gigantic mouth.

The Merlion up close

The Merlion is an iconic symbol of the country; each piece representing a part of the city-state's humble past -- the fish's body to signify the country's origin as a fishing village, and the lion's head as a reminder of its former name, Singapura ("lion city").

Who know that such a simple icon can hold so much meaning to a nation and its past?

***

Merlion Park 
One Fullerton
Singapore 049213
W     http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/see-and-do/family-fun/attraction/merlion-park.html


Planning to visit?  Drop by my "Getting Around Singapore" post (click here) for more details on how to get around the Lion City.

2 comments:

  1. Ow, that explains the Merlion pala. :) I learned something new. :)


    http://www.dekaphobe.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. You've never been to SG unless you have a picture with the Merlion! Haha.

    This area really looks more impressive with the Marina in the background.

    ReplyDelete

SG | An Aerial View of Sentosa Island

Sentosa is a well-known island resort in Singapore. They're quite famous for their expensive luxury landed properties, exquisite hotel...