Wan Xin NgMost people driving through Yong Peng are just passing through. But in a quiet corner of this Johor town, there’s something unexpected. A dragon, curled across the landscape, waiting for you to walk through its belly.
Image Credit: Chongkian via Wikimedia Commons
The Fortune Dragon Tunnel, also known as the Prosperity Dragon, is the longest of its kind in the world. At over 107 metres long, it is part sculpture, part storybook, and part moral fable. Built in 2016 by the Che Ann Khor Moral Uplifting Society, the tunnel invites visitors to step inside not just a structure, but a narrative that blends Chinese mythology, Buddhist beliefs, and questions about how we live.
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A quiet spectacle in Yong Peng
Image Credit: Tourism Malaysia Official Facebook Page
From the outside, the dragon is hard to miss. Its body curves in vivid blue, green, and orange, its mouth open wide in a silent roar. You enter through its jaws, where 36 ceramic teeth frame the path in. The entire body is coated with over 3,000 hand-laid tiles, and the air inside is kept cool by air-conditioning.
Image Credit: Tourism Malaysia Official Facebook Page
Despite the flamboyant design, the atmosphere isn’t loud. It’s thoughtful, almost meditative. Visitors climb 108 steps through the tunnel, but the walk is not rushed. Inside, the walls are lined with murals and painted stories, each one captioned in English, Malay, and Chinese.
The first half of the tunnel focuses on tales of filial piety. These are old stories, passed down across generations. Some are dramatic, others surprisingly tender. One shows a boy allowing mosquitoes to bite him instead of his father. Another tells of a child sleeping on cold ground so his parents wouldn’t have to. They are moral fables, yes, but also emotional ones. The images ask what it means to care deeply for others.
Image Credit: Tourism Malaysia Official Facebook Page
The second half takes a darker turn. Here, the paintings depict suffering in the afterlife, rooted in the traditional Chinese concept of hell. Sinners are shown facing punishment for their actions. The scenes are graphic, and while parental guidance isn’t officially required, it is gently advised. At the end of the tunnel, you emerge near the dragon’s tail. Completing the walk is said to bring good fortune and protection from harm, though belief is never demanded. You walk, you read, and you leave with what you take from it.
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The garden outside
Image Credit: Tourism Malaysia Official Facebook Page
Beyond the dragon is a landscaped garden built in a traditional Chinese style. It is not flashy, but it is carefully tended. There is a small temple, a koi pond, and a few gazebos for quiet sitting. Scattered around the grounds are statues of deities and mythical figures, some with donation boxes nearby. They are small gestures of faith and hope.
Image Credit: Tourism Malaysia Official Facebook Page
Many visitors linger here for a while. The mood is slower than most tourist spots. It feels less like a destination and more like a pause.
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How to get there
Image Credit: Tourism Malaysia Official Facebook Page
The site is about a one-hour drive from Johor Bahru, or two and a half hours from Singapore. A full visit, including the tunnel and garden, typically takes between 45 minutes to two hours.
It takes about 30 minutes to walk through the entire tunnel, but you’ll likely linger longer in the peaceful gardens outside. All in all, set aside an hour or two. It’s a quirky, surprisingly thoughtful experience that’s worth making time for.
Address: Che Ann Khor Yong Peng, Batu Pahat, Johor
Opening hours: 9.00 am to 7.00 pm daily (except: Mon until 12.00am, Tue 12.00 am to 7.00 am & Fri 9.00 pm to 12.00 am)
Admission: RM25 (~S$7.30) for adults, RM10 (~S$2.90) for children, senior citizens, and Yong Peng residents. Free for kids under 110cm.
Also read: Tips on How to Drive to Johor Bahru (JB) from Singapore
Final thoughts
Image Credit: Tourism Malaysia Official Facebook Page
The Fortune Dragon Tunnel is one of those attractions that you don’t expect to find, especially in a quiet town like Yong Peng. But that’s what makes it a fun detour. It’s quirky, well put together, and offers something a little different from your usual sightseeing stops.
If you’re already on a road trip through Johor or heading up from Singapore, it’s worth carving out an hour or two to drop by. After all, if you’re gonna walk through a dragon tunnel, why not walk through the longest one in the world?
