Family Travelogue: Marina Bay Singapore sightseeing

Saturday 9 July 2016

Marina Bay Singapore sightseeing

continued from Historical sites along Singapore River

Marina Bay sightseeing

After the visit to the Fullerton Heritage Gallery, which is inside the Fullerton Hotel, we walked the way to the Anderson Bridge to the Marina Bay.

Anderson Bridge, part of the Fullerton Road

Fullerton Hotel along Esplanade Drive, Singapore

Anderson Bridge spans across the Singapore River

Anderson Bridge

Anderson Bridge connects the Finance District (South) to City Hall (North). It is a vehicular bridge spans across the Singapore River.

During the Japanese Occupation (1942~1945), the heads of the criminals were hung on the bridge to remind the citizens not to break the law.

In 1990, due to increasing traffic flow, the Esplanade bridge was constructed to provide faster access between the Marina Centre and the Finance District in Shenton Way.

Waterboat House, Singaore

To get to Marina Bay, you could cross the Fullerton Road to the Waterboat House. On the left leads down to the underpass.

The Waterboat house along Fullerton Road, Singapore

Esplanade bridge underpass

Esplanade Bridge Underpass

Fullerton Waterboat House along the Fullerton Road, Singapore

The Waterboat House was built in 1919 to supply fresh water to incoming ships which called at the harbour. At present, it is known as the Fullerton Waterboat House, a fine dining.

The Waterboat House in the earlier years. Image courtesy of National Archive of Singapore

Another way to go to the Marina bay from the mouth of Singapore River, head to the Esplanade Drive and cross the road to the One Fullerton. You could see stairs on the left down to the underpass. This way lets you see the face of the Fullerton building and the commercial buildings along the Esplanade Drive.

Fullerton Road, Singapore

One Fullerton, Fullerton Road, Singapore

One Fullerton is right opposite the Fullerton Hotel, previously the Fullerton Building

Fullerton Hotel along Esplanade Drive, Singapore

Esplanade Drive, Singapore

Esplanade Drive

Singapore River Cruise Jetties/booth at Merlion Park, One Fullerton

Jubilee Bridge connecting those coming from Esplanade to the Merlion Park

Jubilee bridge, directly connect the Promenade on Esplanade and the Merlion Park. Esplanade bridge is too narrow for pedestrians, With the Jubilee bridge, pedestrians could cross the Singapore river with ease of comfort.

The new bridge was opened on 29 March 2015, one month earlier, on the day of the state funeral of the late Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew.

start of Jubilee bridge from Esplanade Theatres on the bay "The big Durian"

Jubilee Bridge

Jubilee bridge, Singapore

Jubilee Bridge, Singapore

MERLION PARK

The merlion cub measures 2 meters tall, Merlion Park, Singapore

The Merlion cub, Merlion Park, One Fullerton, Singapore

Bayside Restaurant, One Fullerton, Singapore

Merlion Park, One Fullertone, Singapore

In 1972, the Merlion Park was situated next to the Waterboat house. After 30 years, the 8m tall Merlion was relocated to the current park at the One Fullerton.

As per photo below, the Esplanade Drive road has not been constructed yet. When the Esplanade Bridge has been completed in March 1997, the bridge blocked the views of the Merlion statue from the Marina Bay. The Merlion Park then relocated to the front of the bridge.

Former location of Merlion Park, next to Waterboat House. image courtesy of National archive of Singapore

Esplanade Drive, Singapore

Esplanade Bridge, Singapore

Esplanade Bridge is a road bridge spans across the Singapore River. Esplanade Theatre on the Northern part. Merlion Part on the Southern part.

Merlion Park in front of the Esplanade Bridge, opposite Fullerton Hotel and a view of the Jubilee Bridge.

Merlion Park, One Fullerton, Singapore

Merlion Park is a major tourist attraction in Singapore. It is also the landmark and symbol of the country. There are two structures in the park. The original and the cub.

Merlion Park is located at One Fulleton, Singapore.

Merlion Park, One Fullerton, Singapore

Merlion, the iconic statue, half fish and half lion, resides at the Waterfrount Merlion Park.

The original Merlion, 8.6 meters tall as seen on the photo, spouts water from its mouth. It is facing East overlooking the Marina Bay, direction that could bring prosperity as per Feng Shui.

Apparently, Christmas season, wishing white spheres installed in the water. Should you have any environmentally inquiries about the plastic spheres effect on the marine life and water, check out this faq