From Ridges to Riches: The Central Dragon’s Fengshui Influence on Singapore

Credits: Pexel

Published: 2 May 2025

Imagine Singapore as a canvas of interconnected energies, where unseen dragon veins weave through the cityscape, shaping its harmony and prosperity. Look at Bukit Timah, Orchard, and Marina Bay! Ever wonder why these districts in Singapore spell prosperity over its neighbours?

The answer lies in the Central Dragon.

For those who are scratching your head in confusion, read this to learn more about the hidden dragons in Singapore first. Alternatively, fast-track your fengshui journey here!

Dragon landform: What is it?

Dating back to prehistoric China, the practice of selecting favourable sites for settlement has always involved the observation of natural landscapes amongst other factors.

In fengshui, a dragon landform refers to the shape and arrangement of land features such as mountains, rivers, and valleys, and their influence on the flow of “qi” or energy, which can influence various aspects of life. Many of you know that a “dragon vein” [龙脉] refers to the flow of qi through natural or man-made features that nourish a location but what exactly makes up a dragon landform?

Well,  there’s the dragon’s head, body, and tail.

The Dragon’s Head [龙头] represents the starting point or the most prominent feature of the landform, often a mountain or hill. It symbolises wisdom, vitality, power and authority. This is most suited for important structures or individuals with strong Bazi.

The Dragon’s Body [龙身] is often associated with undulating terrain such as rolling hills, ridges or meandering rivers. It should be continuous, not broken or jagged, in order to ensure a smooth flow of qi. This requires the blessings of good fortune and stability.

Let’s not forget the Dragon’s Lair [龙穴], which is the most auspicious spot where qi gathers, making it ideal for residential purposes. Such a spot should be protected by surrounding hills (imagine an armchair formation!). Can you think of a place in Singapore that fits the requirements of a dragon’s lair? Hint: it lies in the vicinity of the Central Dragon!

The Dragon’s Spine [龙骨] refers to the main mountain backbone, which represents strength and stability. A robust, unbroken spine supports wealth, health, and longevity for those living near it. Did you know capital cities in Imperial China (e.g.Beijing) were chosen based on strong dragon spines? On the other hand, a weak or broken spine denotes misfortune, possibly leading to financial losses, illnesses, or instability for residents.

Last but not least, the Dragon’s Tail [龙尾] marks the tapering end of the landform, where qi dissipates gently. It is believed that a healthy dragon’s tail can gather wealth and household stability with a smooth transition into water or plains, while avoiding sharp cuts or blockages (e.g., tunnels, skyscrapers).

The dragon’s tail should also be balanced with the dragon’s head. Overdevelopment at either end will cause instability. Residents staying near the dragon’s tail must be resilient and determined as energy here can be unstable.

Curious to learn more about dragon landforms? Don’t miss our upcoming strategic  fengshui  course!

Singapore’s Central Dragon: Affluence Dragon?

Amongst the hidden dragons in Singapore, the Central Dragon is most prominent as it covers some of the most popular districts such as Orchard (D9) and Bukit Timah (10). The dragon veins of the Central Dragon and Southern Dragon can be traced back to Kota Tinggi in Malaysia.

Travelling in parallel, these two dragons encircle the three major reservoirs of Singapore, namely the Seletar Reservoir, Pierce Reservoir and MacRitchie Reservoir. Due to its speed, the Central Dragon bypassed Woodlands and Mandai, resulting in slower developments within these districts in our nation-building period (more on this later!). The great momentum of the Central Dragon benefits areas at the later part of its journey such as Bukit Timah and the Orchard district.

With your new knowledge on dragon landform, let’s look at Singapore’s Central Dragon and what it entails for those living or working here. Let’s begin with the dragon’s head!

Location of Dragon’s Head: Fort Canning Park

Credits: Biblioasia View of Singapore from Government Hill (present-day Fort Canning Hill), based on a painting by government surveyor J.T. Thomson, 1846.

Historically known as Bukit Larangan or “Forbidden Hill,” Fort Canning has been a site of power and influence since ancient times, believed to be the burial ground of Malay kings. At 156ft high, its elevated position makes it a natural focal point for energy (qi), aligning with fengshui principles that emphasise the importance of high ground for commanding and distributing energy.

Earlier, we mentioned that the Dragon’s Head symbolises power and authority, which suits individuals with strong Bazi.

When the British arrived in Singapore in 1819, they claimed Bukit Larangan as their own and changed the hill’s name to “Government Hill”. Most of you may recall from your history lesson that Sir Stamford Raffles – founder of modern Singapore – stayed in a bungalow on Fort Canning Hill but you probably don’t know how much he enjoyed staying there despite the simple structure. In fact, he liked it so much that he wanted to be buried there!

Fort Canning Hill, with its historical and geographical significance, symbolises wisdom, vitality, and leadership—qualities associated with the dragon’s head in fengshui. Its role as the dragon head is complemented by the “dragon veins” that flow through Singapore, such as Bukit Timah and the Singapore River, channelling prosperity and harmony.

Locations at Dragon’s Body: Bukit Timah, Orchard Road

Credits: Nparks

Lying in the middle segment of the Central Dragon, Bukit Timah resides on the Dragon’s Body and marks the starting point of the Singapore River. In fengshui, the best locations along the dragon’s body is the mid-section [龙腰] due to the balanced qi, making it ideal for homes, businesses, and tombs.

Lush vegetation, gentle slopes, and proximity to water curves are also ideal for wealth-generating structures. That certainly explains why Bukit Timah thrives over the years. Besides landed properties, luxury condos, and prestigious schools, Bukit Timah used to house one of the largest Chinese cemeteries outside of China in the early 1900s, again affirming positive fengshui. That’s Bukit Brown, in case you were wondering.

Beyond the dragon landform, each district has its unique fengshui formation that reveals how the natural and built environment influences the flow of qi (energy) and its impact on harmony, prosperity, and well-being.

At Bukit Timah 7th Mile, a private residential area sits on the “Horse Saddle” formation, which is ideal for those working in the public sector. Businessmen, on the other hand, would have to work harder in order to succeed.

Could district 10 be the best district to live in? Maybe! Here’s how you can  derive  your conclusion with fengshui  considerations.

Credits: Pexels

Nearby, the Orchard district reflects the “Land of Seven Falling Stars” formation, which synchronises with the arrangement of the Big Dipper and indicates advantages to businesses here. Coupled with the auspicious influence of the Central Dragon’s vibrant energy, Orchard Road is renowned for its world-class shopping and entertainment, and upscale residences.

However, the luck cycle of Orchard Road has started to decline as we enter the fengshui Period 9. Hence, strategic developments are required to ensure the Orchard district maintains its popularity. Potential homeowners or investors of this area should also pay attention to upcoming developments prior to settling here.

Locations near Dragon’s Tail: Woodlands, Kranji, Mandai

Despite the Central Dragon bypassing the northern region of Singapore during our early nation-building days, districts such as Woodlands (D25), Kranji (D25), and Mandai (D26) are undergoing major changes in the current fengshui period.

These northern districts are located near the dragon’s tail, which interestingly transits into water bodies. From a fengshui viewpoint, this is favourable for wealth growth and household stability.

Credits: HDB

As forecasted in the publication “Hidden Dragons in an Urban City” in 2014, Woodlands is starting to prosper! This auspicious district is increasingly being recognised as a rising hotspot in Singapore, with new housing developments, improved connectivity, and its role as a gateway to Johor Bahru.

While it is uncommon for a dragon’s lair to be near the tail, it is possible if the land naturally embraces and collects qi there, which is the case of the Central Dragon’s lair at Woodlands.

Built at the centre of several undulating hillocks, Woodlands Central resembles a golden coin-storing bowl, implying a capacity to accumulate wealth. Its reference to the “Iron Rice Bowl” in Mandarin also denotes that residents in this area can hold a stable and secure job. With its strategic location, Woodlands can absorb and retain qi, making it an ideal place for resting and recuperation. This is especially for North-facing homes in the South.

Since the dragon’s tail represents stability and gradual growth (rather than explosive success like the dragon’s head), residents here must be patient and adaptable in order to thrive over time.

Credits: Singapore Turf Club

The transformation of the Woodlands Regional Centre into the largest economic hub in northern Singapore extends to Kranji, leading to redevelopments in the area, including the Singapore Turf Club site.  By 2027, the Singapore Turf Club in Kranji will return 120 hectares of land to the government for new urban redevelopment such as housing.

Amidst Kranji lies the fengshui formation of an “Inverted Gourd” that symbolises good fortune. Besides its ability to garner and retain qi, the presence of the gourd also implies power, status, and wealth. A gourd can also diminish negative energies, thereby promising tranquility and sustainability.

Due to its proximity to the dragon’s tail (like Woodlands), residents here can enjoy a slower pace of life here, with patience and adaptability being key factors to succeed in the time to come.

Credits: Mandai Wildlife Reserve

Lately, you might have come across news of Singapore’s 5th zoological park, Rainforest Wild Asia, opening in Mandai. This is part of the Mandai development, which includes new attractions like Bird Paradise and the Mandai Boardwalk. Similar to Woodlands, developments in Mandai have started to take off in Period 9.

According to Chinese beliefs, toads are often associated with wealth and good fortune. Hence, Mandai is deemed to be a propitious land, as its landform resembles that of a toad; with its bulging front, lower back and surrounded by water bodies. There are two toad lands in Singapore, and the one at Mandai is known as the “Empress Toad”. Residents who reside on such fengshui treasure lands are capable of great success if there are wells or ponds in their home.

In “Toad Land”, water is deemed to be most essential in order for Mandai to prosper. With Mandai strategically located between two reservoirs as well as the Southern and Central Dragons, it has great potential to thrive. Nevertheless, tall buildings on a Dragon Tail landform can disrupt stability if not carefully integrated. With Mandai proximity to the Central Dragon’s tail, a height limit for future developments should be implemented to maintain the positive fengshui influence of this prime land.

Where else does the Central Dragon cover?

Representing the Earth element, the Central Dragon signifies affluence where housing estates and business districts thrive under its coverage from Marina Bay to Woodlands. The following districts fall under the precinct of the Central Dragon within their unique fengshui formation. Are you staying in any of these areas?

A home is more than just a shelter. The topography and surrounding environment can influence various aspects of your life, hence it is essential to know if you are staying in the right place that aligns with your values.

For example, not everyone can stay at/near the Dragon’s head where qi is most powerful. It is more suitable for those who seek rapid growth. Proper alignment with the dragon’s energy can also foster greater harmony in relationships and enhance your quality of life.

Are you curious about the fengshui landforms of your residential district? Perhaps you are wondering if you are staying in the right place or how you can tap into favourable energies to thrive in all aspects of life. Well, don’t miss our upcoming strategic fengshui course by Master Goh Guan Leong and learn how to decipher hidden qi flows in your district.

Discover the Fengshui Advantage with Way Academy 

People often ask, “Is Singapore built on fengshui”? We might not have the answer for that, but we can explore Singapore through the lens of fengshui, analysing both natural and manmade landforms to better understand, adapt, and thrive in this place that we called home.

out how fengshui can work for you? Join our Strategic Fengshui Modules, where you’ll learn how to:

• Identify powerful energy zones in your home and office.
• Optimise your environment for financial and career success.
• Apply practical fengshui techniques for personal and professional growth.

Many of our students have experienced transformations after implementing fengshui wisdom. Are you ready to do the same?

Unlock the power of fengshui today! Learn more about our upcoming courses and take the first step toward an energised, prosperous future.