Singapore’s Merlion to Close for Routine Cleaning

Singapore’s iconic Merlion at Merlion Park by Marina Bay will be closed for routine cleaning from 11 to 18 January 2011.

The Merlion, which has become extremely popular with locals and tourists alike, was first built as an eight-metre tall sculpture in 1972 and located at the mouth of the Singapore River to "welcome all visitors to Singapore".

Commissioned for approximately Sin$165,000 in 1971 by the Singapore Tourism Board (then known as the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board), it was built by Mr Lim Nang Seng, a local craftsman who had won several prizes in the Singapore Handicraft and Design competition.

The Merlion was formally installed on 15 September 1972 by the then Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

On 15 September 2002, the Merlion was moved to its current location at Merlion Park next to One Fullerton, and now overlooks the scenic Marina Bay.

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