With Botanic Gardens, Gardens by the Bay, and plenty of neighbourhood parks, it’s no wonder Singapore earned the nickname “Garden City”.
They say every garden needs a water feature, and lucky for us, Singapore has fountains aplenty, complementing our green belt zones and nature gardens. We’ve compiled a list of fountains in Singapore – some are picturesque, some are historical, but all are pretty iconic. Try and see how many you recognise.
Table of Contents
Image credit: @_diyakrishna_ via Instagram
You can’t talk about fountains in Singapore without mentioning the Fountain of Wealth, which holds the title of the largest fountain in the world. Situated in the heart of Suntec City, this massive bronze ring’s name and design were derived from Chinese feng shui, with water flowing inward that symbolises wealth and life pouring in. Its design draws inspiration from the Hindu Mandala, meant to represent unification, equality, and harmony.
At select periods of the day, the fountain is turned off and visitors can enter to walk around the mini-fountain at the centre of the base. If you’re still hanging around after sunset, be sure to catch the daily light and laser performance from 8pm to 9.30pm.
Image credit: @annicelyn via Instagram
Perhaps our most iconic water feature, the Jewel Rain Vortex is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, with water cascading down 7 storeys of our Jewel Changi Airport. The glass roof is toroid-shaped, with a sloped oculus at the mouth of the fountain, creating the illusion of a building continuously turning into liquid.
Standing at 40m high, recirculated rainwater is pumped to the roof before free-falling all the way down to a pool in the basement. The Changi Airport Skytrain, connecting the airport terminals, allows travellers to get a bird’s-eye view of the Rain Vortex as it passes right by.
Pro tip: if you plan to head down for a visit, go in the evening for the light and music show, where the fountain transforms into a spectacularly colourful display. Catch it at 8pm and 9pm from Monday to Thursday, and 8pm, 9pm, and 10pm from Friday to Sunday, including the eve and actual day of public holidays.
Image credit: @jovian.lim via Instagram
Erected in 1882 at Fullerton Square, Tan Kim Seng Fountain was named in honour of philanthropist Tan Kim Seng for his donations towards Singapore’s first reservoir and waterworks. It has since been relocated to the Esplanade, where it stands today, and was gazetted as a national monument in 2010.
Made from cast iron, this Victorian-style water fountain stands at 7m high with classical figures adorning its 3 tiers. The fountain features 4 Muses of Greece – Calliope, the Muse of epic poetry; Clio, the Muse of history; Erato, the Muse of lyric poetry; and Melpomene, the Muse of tragedy. Beneath them, the 4 faces of Poseidon, god of the sea, spout water into the basin below.
Image credit: @guohao_lin via Instagram
If you haven’t taken a picture with your mouth open pretending to drink from the Merlion, you haven’t truly been to and lived in Singapore. As the official mascot of Singapore, this mythical creature is a national symbol and has been spouting water ever since it was sculpted in 1972.
Standing at 8.6m high, it was originally located along the Singapore River before being moved to the CBD area in 2002. While the former Sentosa Merlion has since been demolished (RIP), 6 official Merlions remain in Singapore – but this one remains the OG. It even survived a lightning strike back in 2009, proving it’s not just a national icon, but a tough one at that.
Image credit: Choo Yut Shing via Flickr
Make no mistake – Gemmill Fountain is no ordinary water fountain. Its design is definitely unique compared to your average water cooler, with a lion head mounted at the centre and structurally made from marble.
It was the first public drinking fountain located in Raffles Place, donated by John Gemmill back in 1864, the first auctioneer of Singapore and the guy it’s named after. It currently stands on the outdoor terrace of the National Museum of Singapore and allegedly still functions as a drinking fountain. We wouldn’t recommend putting that to the test, though.
Image adapted from: @fluidity_design_consultants via Instagram, Ned Kahn Studios
The Rain Oculus at Marina Bay Sands is an eco-friendly artwork installation that serves double duty as a skylight and rain collector. Completed in 2011, the fountain collects rainwater and funnels it into an enormous acrylic bowl before releasing it into the pool below, utilising architecture in its innovative water display.
The pumps that deliver the water to the bowl are constantly turned on and off, so the whirlpool and flow of water are continuously shifting in shape and intensity. You can observe the water from different vantage points, even getting up close and personal in a sampan boat along the mall’s canal.
Image credit: @raffleshotelsingapore via Instagram
The Raffles Hotel Fountain can be found in the hotel’s Palm Garden and stands as the iconic centrepiece of the courtyard. Dyed an ornate blue, it’s the perfect IG-worthy spot to capture those overseas luxury holiday vibes.
Standing tall at 6m, the antique cast iron fountain was originally crafted in Glasgow and then brought over to Singapore in the 1890s, where it was situated at Lau Pa Sat. After relocating a couple more times, it was finally donated to Raffles Hotel in 1990. Plus, passers-by can still access it to take a picture even if they aren’t a hotel guest.
Image credit: Sengkang via Wikimedia
Shopping in Orchard Road comes hand in hand with tired feet from all that walking. Thankfully, there’s the Takashimaya Basement Fountain, the best spot for a seat after a long day of shopping. It’s an all-too-familiar experience, sitting beside the playful jets of water while your parents continue to shop before heading home.
It’s also perfect as a waiting area for when you’re meeting friends in Orchard and they’re running a bit late. Good luck getting a seat, though – we’ve literally never been by and seen an empty seat.
Image credit: William Cho via Flickr
The Clarke Quay Central Fountain is a familiar sight for clubbers and anyone who enjoys the nightlife in the area. It’s right in the middle of the Clarke Quay intersection, between various eateries, nightclubs, and bars.
When the sun sets, the fountain comes alive with an array of eye-catching lights and is the focal point of the riverside village. If you’ve ever run through a fountain like this as a child, you could totally relive your memories and challenge yourself to charge through without getting wet – although you might want to be sober for that.
Image credit: Olivia LZ via Google Maps
The Whampoa Dragon Fountain Statue was built in 1973 – it might no longer spout water, but it’s still very much a local icon. Find it in front of Block 85 of Whampoa Drive, opposite the CTE. Standing at 4.8m tall, the dragon’s body is made from broken china rice bowls, which were individually stuck on.
The statue’s surrounding basin area was later refurbished with grass and topiary designs. Today, the statue still stands proudly as a neighbourhood mascot, with residents congregating nearby to chat or hang out.
In a city packed with man-made attractions and landmarks, fountains are hardly the first to come to mind. But Singapore has some real gems – from Guinness World Record holders to historical antiques and national icons. If you’re looking for something different, check out some of these fountains in Singapore for a splash of something fresh.
For more hydro-related reads:
Cover image adapted from: William Cho via Flickr, @raffleshotelsingapore & @annicelyn via Instagram
Here’s a handy overview of the ERP rates in Singapore, plus recommendations on how to…
Yep, the tents are air-conditioned and fitted with queen- to king-sized beds.
Dates have been extended to 5th October 2025!
Let this be your guide when travelling to Sydney and New South Wales in the…
Just remind yourself that give and take isn’t reserved for BTO-bound couples, but applies to…
Here’s your chance to wish upon many stars.