Picture this. You stand before a magnificent replica of Dragon’s Teeth Gate. This isn’t the original. The original was a craggy granite outcrop. It stood at Keppel Harbour’s entrance. It served as a vital navigational aid for centuries.
Long Ya Men or Dragon’s Teeth Gate. That’s what it was called. The name comes from its resemblance to a dragon’s teeth. Ancient mariners used it to navigate the tricky waters. Malays knew it as Batu Berlayar meaning Sailing Rock. It’s a name that evokes images of brave sailors and perilous journeys. Even the famed explorer Zheng He may have used it. He navigated these waters during his seven voyages west.
The British however saw it differently. They called the prominent rock Lot’s Wife. This refers to the biblical story of Lot’s wife. She was turned to salt for looking back at Sodom’s destruction. In 1848 the British blew up both outcrops. They wanted to widen the harbor entrance. This act erased a significant part of Singapore’s maritime history.
But the story of Dragon’s Teeth Gate isn’t over. In 2005 a replica was built. It commemorates Zheng He’s voyages. It stands as a reminder of the gate’s importance. The replica’s location however wasn’t accidental. The original plan was to replace the nearby Berlayer Beacon. The Singapore Heritage Society objected. They argued the beacon was a heritage site. The replica was therefore built nearby. It stands proudly. It silently tells its tale.
Dragon’s Teeth Gate. A name that echoes through time. It speaks of ancient mariners pirates and exploration. It represents a lost piece of Singapore’s past. Yet its legacy continues. It lives on in the replica before you. A testament to Singapore’s rich and complex history. A history of trade exploration and the enduring power of memory.