The iconic Merlion is a national symbol, and stands among the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore. It is derived from Singapore’s legend of a Sumatran prince once seeing an intriguing aquatic creature with the body of a fish and the head of a lion. The representation was selected as a mark of accolade to the great nation which was once well-known as an early sea town, “Temasek”.

Initially the statue stood at the Esplanade Bridge, a few meters away from One Fullerton where it is now placed. In 1972 the completed monument had a height of 26 feet and weighed forty tonnes. Around the Merlion Park Singapore, five other reproductions have been recorded, a smaller statue placed with the original statue, two statues at The Merlion Shop and at the Mouth Gallery Viewing Deck with a height of 37 meters, a more sophisticated version made of glassy poly-marble at Mount Faber’s Faber Point and another at the Tourism Court. Its significant representation has made the Merlion synonymous with Singapore.

A former vice-chancellor of the National University of Singapore, Mr Kwan Sai Kheong conceptualized the symbol which weighed 70 tonnes and was completely sculpted by Mr Lim Nang Seng in August 1972. Its body was made of cement and tea cups were used as eyes and porcelain plates were artistically embedded to create its skin.

A few kilometres away from the park, towering together with other skyscrapers along the city streets is the Copthorne King’s Hotel Singapore. Presenting the comfort of a boutique-style atmosphere, it offers its guests warm Asian hospitality with a range of facilities for the business traveller.