What does it take to guard the prosperity of Singapore?
A 37 metre-tall mythical creature to be precise. If you think you've seen and heard it all, there's more to the legend inside. Who knows, you could be in luck to uncover more than just curious tales upon making a grand entrance into the larger-than-life-icon. Come and see, hear, touch and feel the grand presence of the regal icon yourself!
The legendary Merlion is a mythical creature with a lion’s head and a fish’s body – as a guardian of prosperity which personifies Singapore’s history as an important seaport. The lion head depicts the folklore of Prince Sang Nila Utama’s discovery of lion (singa) and City (pura) while the fish tail symbolises the fishing village of ‘Temasek’, also known as ‘sea-town’ in Javanese. Today, the majestic Merlion is a Singapore icon attracting visitors from all around the world.
If you walk past some of the significant sites in the Lion City, you’ll meet more than one Merlion. There’s the 8.6-metre porcelain statue at Merlion Park, another 2-metre cub porcelain statue right behind it, a 3-metre statue Mount Faber and many more! Nevertheless, there’s nothing compared to the majestic 37-metre-tall concrete Merlion on Sentosa Island.
Unlike it's predecessor by the Esplanade, Sentosa Merlion distinguishes itself as the only Merlion in Singapore where you can enter to uncover it's origins and story.
Completed in 1995, Sentosa Merlion was designed and sculpted by an Australian Artist, James Martin.
Positioned at the heart of the island, the Sentosa Merlion stands on a base that resembles the bagua* which is believed to bring about prosperity and affluence. Each of the majestic creature’s 320 scales is shaped like the bagua too.
And if you pay close attention to more intriguing details inside, you’ll notice that each of the Sentosa Merlion’s teeth represents a different ethnic group in Singapore – Malay, Chinese, Indian and Eurasian – signifying prosperity for all citizens of Singapore.
Standing strong and majestic, this must-see icon is still, by far, the largest and tallest Merlion in Singapore.
*Bagua is an auspicious tool used in Feng Shui to direct energy towards prosperity.
Enter into the Merlion’s legend and immerse into into a photographic setting of a rural fishing village in olden Singapore. Catch the 3-D animated show on the story of how Prince Sang Nila Utama discovered Singapura!
Learn about the key milestones of how the Merlion came to be an icon of Singapore through archival images of the Merlion from the 1960s to this present day!
Take a peek into the ‘behind-the-scenes’ conceptualisation and creation of the Sentosa Merlion, the largest Merlion in Singapore. Gain a deeper understanding about symbolic design elements that make up the Sentosa Merlion through the use of virtual-reality!
The half lion and half fish Merlion icon is imbued with not just the values of bravery, ambition, humility and diligence, it has also become a symbol of good luck. Find out about the other symbols of fortune around the world and how it matches up to the Sentosa Merlion!
Complete your visit to the Sentosa Merlion with panoramic views of Sentosa island and the Singapore skyline at the Head and Mouth galleries.
Open Daily: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Last Entry: 7:30 PM
Enter into the Sentosa Merlion today!
Get a free cup of coffee and $1 OFF retail products at the Sentosa Merlion Shop with purchase of a Sentosa Merlion standard ticket!
Gain a deeper understanding of the legend behind Singapore's icon with our knowledgeable tour guides!
Price of tour experience is inclusive of admission into the Sentosa Merlion.
Do you know how the Merlion came about?
Join us on a journey of discovery and learn how the Merlion has become an enduring symbolic icon of Singapore's success story, from its humble beginnings as a fishing village to a modern bustling city. Immerse in the legend of the Sentosa Merlion with our Star Guides today!
Sentosa Merlion Shop
Be spoilt for choice with Merlion exclusive merchandise, some of which are only found here at the Sentosa Merlion FUN Shop!
Merlion Cafe
Fuel up your energy with local delights at the Merlion Cafe. Your experience is not complete till you try our unique Merlion waffle!
Merlion Plaza
Stop by the Merlion Plaza to experience the full grandeur of the 37-metre tall Sentosa Merlion, and snap away at the various photo-points in the area!
Share your Sentosa Merlion moments with us on Instagram!
