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What people say

"The lion head reflects Singapore's original name, "Singapura," which translates to "lion city," while the fish body signifies its beginnings as a fishing village known as Temasek, meaning "sea town" in Javanese. Designed by Alec Fraser-Brunner in the early 1960s for the Singapore Tourism Board, the Merlion was officially unveiled on September 15, 1972, at the mouth of the Singapore River. Standing 8.6 meters tall and weighing 70 tons, the statue was crafted by local sculptor Lim Nang Seng and cost approximately S$165,000. Despite its initial location becoming obscured due to urban developments, the Merlion was relocated to Merlion Park in 2002, positioned to face the East and providing visitors with picturesque views of the Marina Bay skyline. The relocation process was a meticulous operation that took two days and involved specialized cranes and a barge. After its move, the Merlion resumed spouting water, which had stopped functioning since 1998 due to a pump malfunction. The new site features a significantly larger area for visitors, enhancing their experience of this iconic attraction. Over the years, the Merlion has undergone various maintenance and restoration efforts, including a notable incident in 2009 when it was struck by lightning, causing damage that required immediate attention. In addition to the Merlion Park statue, a smaller Merlion sculpture is located on Sentosa Island, designed by Australian artist James Martin."
Khyati Maloo
"Visit the iconic site on your last night in Singapore to bid adieu to the brilliant time spent here."

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The vibrant city-state of Singapore is nestled at the tip of the Malay Peninsula. This tiny island nation is a harmonious blend where tradition meets modernity. Singapore has a captivating history and rich cultural heritage that is celebrated through its diverse blend of ethnicities, languages, and religions. Singapore was once a small, old fishing village on the edge of the jungle. It went through an incredible transformation and turned into the bustling metropolis and the global economic powerhouse that it is today. Despite its futuristic architecture, Singapore's history is preserved throughout the city such as its lush green spaces, colonial black and white bungalows, and Peranakan shophouses. Singapore has so much to offer. The world-class Changi airport, immaculate cleanliness, vibrant street food culture, efficient public transportation, low crime rates, and strict governance (most famously, the chewing gum ban) to name a handful. The only downfalls I can think of are the insane heat and humidity as Singapore sits right on the equator. So why local-ish? I first visited Singapore when I was 6-months old. My dad was born and raised in Singapore. Funnily enough, one of my mom's brothers has lived there for 30 years and we've had a handful of other family members (on both sides) live there over the years too. I've lost count of how many times I've visited but it's definitely one of my favorite places in the world and feels a bit like home. If you've never been to Asia before, Singapore is the perfect destination to start with. It's like a stepping stone to the rest of the world. Here are all my recommendations on what to do, see, eat, and drink in Singapore. Scroll to the bottom for an overview of everything you need to know before booking your trip to the Lion City. As always, I'm happy to help you plan a custom itinerary for your trip to Singapore! Just reach out to me directly (:
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About Merlion

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