TRAVEL INFO: THE GERMAN GIRL SHRINE IN SINGAPORE

The image displays the German Girl Shrine (also locally known as Na Du Gu Niang or Berlin Heiligtum), a unique local place of worship located within the Ketam Mountain Bike Park on Pulau Ubin, Singapore.

The Legend

According to popular local folklore, the shrine is dedicated to an 18-year-old German girl who lived with her family on a plantation on the island. At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, British forces arrived to intern German nationals as enemy aliens. The girl fled into the jungle to evade capture but tragically fell off a cliff into a granite quarry to her death. The Quarry was Aik Hwa Quarry, now known as Ketam Quarry. Local plantation workers discovered her body and gave her a respectful burial. 

According to research carried out by the filmmakers Ho Choon Hiong and Michael Kam, there was indeed a coffee plantation on Pulau Ubin at the time:19th-century land deeds show that the land belonged to Daniel Brandt and Hermann Muhlingans of Germany.

Evolution into a Taoist Deity

Over the decades, local residents and workers integrated her spirit into regional folk religion practices. She was elevated to a Taoist-style Datuk Keramat deity (Na Du Gu Niang or "Datuk Maiden"). The shrine became a popular pilgrimage site for gamblers and punters looking for lucky lottery numbers. 

Unique Modern Customs

• The Structure: The modern, permanent structure shown in your image was renovated in late 2015, featuring a solid concrete and wood-paneled pavilion alongside its distinct bright yellow pagoda-style incense burner. 
• Barbie Doll Offering: Instead of typical traditional religious icons, the altar inside historically gained fame for housing a Barbie doll. The doll was gifted by a former Ubin resident after the spirit allegedly requested it in a dream. 
• Feminine Gifts: Visitors and devotees regularly leave distinct offerings such as perfumes, nail polish, lipsticks, mirrors, and makeup at the altar. 

Recent historical research published by the National Library Board's BiblioAsia suggests the story may have morphed out of an older Malay/Javanese legend or local worship of a unique termite mound, rather than an actual historical German family. Nonetheless, it remains one of Singapore's most fascinating cultural mysteries. 

Reference:

1. FB Urban Explorers of Singapore: The Forgotten History of The German Girl Shrine
2. Wikipedia: German Girl Shrine
3. Atlas Obscura: German Girl Shrine

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

21 June 2026: 3.28 p.m

2001 - TEMBOK BESAR CHINA

TEMBOK BESAR CHINA

Teringat ketika zaman persekolahan dahulu. Dalam pelajaran Ilmu Alam antara yang dipelajari ialah Negara China. Saya masih ingat bila melihat gambar Tembok Besar saya berasa begitu kagum dan teringin sekali melihatnya dengan lebih dekat.

Ternyata impian saya itu tercapai apabila saya berpeluang melawat Negara China pada tahun 2001 bersama setaf The Institution of Engineers,Malaysia. Kami berpeluang melawat Beijing, Tianmen dan Bandar Pergunungan Chengde. 

Sedikit Info Mengenai Tembok Besar China:

Tembok Besar China adalah satu dari 7 Keajaiban Dunia dan telah disenaraikan dalam World Heritage UNESCO pada tahun 1987. Panjang Tembok Besar China ialah kira-kira 6,400 kilometer bermula dari Shanhaiguan sehingga ke Teluk Bohai yang terletak berhampiran sempadan China dan Manchuria.

Dibina lebih 2,000 tahun dahulu oleh Maharaja China yang pertama, Qin Shi Huangdi semasa Pemerintahan Dinasti Qin (221 SM – 206 SM).

Tinjauan yang dilakukan oleh ahli arkeologi pada tahun 2009 menggunakan peralatan teknologi masakini melaporkan bahawa panjang keseluruhan Tembok Besar China adalah 8,851 km (5,500.3 batu).

Walaupun Tembok Besar ini dibina di zaman Dinasti Qin, namun apa yang kita lihat pada hari ini adalah pembangunan yang dilakukan oleh Maharaja Dinasti Ming (1368M – 1644M). 

Tembok Besar China di Badaling (八达岭长城) merupakan salah satu bahagian benteng pertahanan purba yang paling terkenal, paling utuh dipelihara, dan paling ramai dikunjungi oleh pelancong di Beijing. Bahagian ini dibina semasa Dinasti Ming untuk melindungi ibu kota daripada serangan luar. Badaling terletak sekitar 70 km di Barat Laut Bandar Beijing. 

Tembok Besar Hushan (虎山长城 - Hushan Chángchéng) merupakan titik permulaan paling timur yang sah bagi struktur pertahanan Tembok Besar China dari zaman Dinasti Ming. Terletak di Daerah Autonomi Manchu Kuandian, Dandong, Wilayah Liaoning, kawasan ini berada betul-betul di sempadan antara China dan Korea Utara. 

Dibina pada 1469 semasa era Dinasti Ming bertujuan untuk memperkukuhkan pertahanan sempadan daripada serangan penceroboh dari utara.

Tembok Besar Huangyaguan - terletak di kawasan Pergunungan di utara Daerah Jizhou, Tianjin, kira-kira 126 km ke utara bandar Tianjin dan berhampiran sempadan Beijing-Hebei.

Mula dibina lebih 1,400 tahun lalu semasa Dinasti Qi Utara (557 Masihi). 

Tembok Besar Jiankou- salah satu bahagian yang paling terkenal, terkenal di Daerah Huairou, sekitar 73 km di sebelah utara Beijing,bahagian sepanjang 20 km ini dibangun pada masa Dinasti Ming (1368-1644).

Jiayuguan (Jiayu Pass) - terletak di Kota Kiayuguan, Gansu China. Dibina pada 1372 dan mengambil masa selama 168 tahun untuk disiapkan. 

Tembok Besar Jingshanling, terletak di kawasan Pergunungan Daerah Luanping, Chengde, Provinsi Hebei, sekitar 130 km ke timur laut Beijing. Mula dibina pada tahun 1368 di bawah arahan Jeneral Xu Da dari Dinasti Ming dan kemudiannya diperkukuh oleh Jeneral Qi Jiguang pada tahun 1567. 

Tembok Besar Juyongguan (Juyong Pass), terletak disebuah lembah sepanjang 18 km yang dikenali sebagai Guan Gou di Daerah Changping,kira-kira 60 km di utara bandaraya Beijing. Juga dikenali dengan nama "Pillar Greens at Juyongguan". 

Terletak di tengah-tengah kompleks, platform marmar putih yang dibina pada zaman Dinasti Yuan (1342) ini dihiasi dengan ukiran seni Buddha yang halus. Di dalam terowong gerbangnya terdapat inskripsi teks suci Buddha yang diukir dalam enam bahasa kuno yang berbeza.

Tembok Besar Mutianyu ialah salah satu bahagian Tembok Besar China yang paling terkenal, terpelihara dengan baik, dan amat digemari oleh pelancong antarabangsa. Terletak di Distrik Huairou, kira-kira 70 kilometer di timur laut pusat bandar Beijing, bahagian sepanjang 5.4 kilometer ini mula dibina pada pertengahan abad ke-6 semasa Dinasti Qi Utara dan dibina semula secara besar-besaran semasa Dinasti Ming di bawah seliaan Jeneral Xu Da.

Laotongtou (Old Dragon's Head) bahagian paling timur bagi Tembok Besar Dinasti Ming. Terletak di Daerah Shanhaiguan, Kota Qinhuangdao, Provinsi Hebei, China, terkenal kerana strukturnya yang unik yang menganjur terus ke dalam laut Bohai. 

Tembok Besar Wulonggou  - terletak di Daerah Laiyuan, Bandar Baoding, Provinsi Hebei. Dibina semasa Dinasti Ming sekitar 1573 hingga 1576 pada era Maharaja Wanli.Seksyen ini membentang sepanjang kira-kira 150 km merentasi 12 mukim. 

Menara Wanjinglou - (Cina ringkas: 望京楼; pinyin: Wàngjīng lóu), yang bermaksud "Menara Melihat Ibu Kota", merupakan menara pengawal yang paling terkenal dan tertinggi di Tembok Besar seksyen Simatai. Menara ikonik ini terletak di sempadan antara Daerah Miyun (Beijing) dan Wilayah Luanping (Hebei).

Tembok Besar Seksyen Simatai - (Cina ringkas: 司马台长城; pinyin: Sīmǎtái chángchéng) merupakan antara bahagian Tembok Besar China yang paling terkenal kerana mengekalkan rupa bentuk asal dari zaman Dinasti Ming. Terletak di Daerah Miyun, Beijing, seksyen sepanjang 5.4 kilometer ini terkenal dengan laluannya yang ekstrem dan rupa bumi yang sangat curam.

Satu-satunya Seksyen Tembok Besar China yang dibuka kepada pelancong pada waktu malam dengan hiasan lampu LED yang indah di sepanjang laluan tembok. 

Shanhaiguan (Cina ringkas: 山海关; pinyin: Shānhǎiguān) atau Laluan Shanhai berfungsi sebagai kubu pertahanan tentera yang paling strategik untuk melindungi empayar China daripada pencerobohan puak asing dari arah timur laut.
Dikenali dengan gelaran "First Pass Under Heaven" (Laluan Pertama di Bawah Syurga), ia merupakan pintu gerbang utama di mana Tembok Besar China bertemu dengan Laut Bohai. Shanhaiguan terletak di Qinhuangdao, Provinsi Hebei, kira-kira 300 km ke arah timur laut dari Beijing. 

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

Update:

20 Jun 2026: 6.24 pagi

TRAVEL INFO: THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

The Great Wall of China is the world's longest-man-made structure, stretching over 21,196 km across nothern China. 

It was built to protect Chinese Empires against nomadic invasions from the north. Built in stages from the 7th century BC until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). 

Most famous sections near Beijing like Badaling, Mutianyu and Juyongguan were built during the Ming Dynasty using solid stone and bricks.

The Great Wall of China was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. 

The Jinshangling section of the Great Wall, which is administrative-wise located in Luanping County, Chengde City, Hebei Province. 

It was rebuilt in the late 16th century under the direction of the famous Ming Dynasty General Qi Jiguang. 

The Badaling Great Wall is the most famous, highly restored and frequently visited section of the Great Wall of China. 

Situated in Yanqing District, approximately 80 km northwest of downtown Beijing. It was built during the Ming Dynasty to serve as a critical military outpost guarding a vital moutain pass. 

Highly developed for tourism with smooth ramps, handrails, cable cars, and pulleys, making it the easiest section to climb for families and elderly travelers.

The Hushan Great Wall located near Dandong, Liaoning Province, China. This section marks the absolute easternmost terminus of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall.

The large stone base inscription reads "万里长城东端起点" which translates directly to "The Starting Point of the Eastern End of the Great Wall."

It was originally constructed in 1469 AD during the Chenghua era of the Ming Dynasty. The wall stretches over Tiger Mountain right along the bank of the Yalu River, which acts as the natural border separating China and North Korea. A famous narrow strait nearby called Yibukua ("One Step Across") allows visitors to look closely into North Korean territory.

The Jiankou Great Wall, situated in the rugged mountain ridges of Huairou District, Beijing. The work "Jiankou" translates directly to "Arrow Nock", because the shape of the mountain ridge. 

Constructed during the Ming Dynasty (around 1368-1644). 

Jiayuguan Pass - or Jiayu Pass the westernmost starting point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Located southwest of Jiayuguan City, it serves as a vital military choke point and checkpoing for trade caravans along the Silk Road.

Built in 1372 under the Ming Dynasty, it is historically known as the "First and Most Majestic Pass under Heaven", marked the boundary of ancient Chinese civilisation. Beyond its gates lay the vast, unforgiving Gobi Desert. 

The Mutianyu Great Wall, an archectural masterpiece located in the Huairou District of Beijing. The section spans approximately 5,400 meters in total length. It features a total of 23 original-style watchtowers closely distributed across the mountain ridges.  

The wall rises 7 to 8.5 meters high and stands 4 to 5 meters wide. It was reconstructed using solid granite slabs during the Ming Dynasty under the supervision of General Xu Da and reinforced later by General Qi Jiguang.

Laolongtou (Old Dragon Head), a historic military fortress located in the Shanhaiguan District of Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province. This fortress marks the eastern terminus of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall where the defensive structure directly meets the Bohai Sea. 

Built under the direction of Ming General Qi Jiguang, the fortification was specifically designed to repel maritime invasions from northern nomadic tribesand pirates. 

The Simatai Great Wall is one of the most famous and architectural significant section of the Great Wall of China. Located in Miyun District, approximately 120 km northeast of central Beijing.

It is the only of the Great Wall that perfectly preserves the original appearance of the Ming Dynasty (1369-1644). This is also the only section of the Great Wall open for organised night tours.

The Wanjinglou Tower - (望京楼 - "Watching-Beijing Tower") is the topmost and most iconic watchtower of the Simatai Great Wall Tourist Area.

Standing at the peak of Tiger Mountain at an elevation of 986 meters, it serves as the absolute commanding height of the entire Simatai Section.

The Wulonggou Great Wall  - a magnificent, well-preserved section of the "wild" (unrestored) Great Wall. Situated near Wulonggou Village in Laiyuan County, Baoding City, Hebei Province, stretches about 150 km, linking Liaishui County to the east and strategic Pingxing Pass (Pingxingguan) in Shanxi Province to the west.

Constructed between 1573 and 1576 during the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty.

The Juyongguan Great Wall (Also known as Juyong Pass), located in the Changping District, about 50 km north of downtown Beijing. Known historically as the "First Pass Under Heaven" it served as one of the most critical militry choke points guarding the ancient capital from northern invasions.

Shanghaiguan located in Qinhuangdao City, Hebei, China (not Beijing as in the photo), sits about 300 km east of Beijing and serves as a major gateway where the Ming Dynasty Great Wall meets at the Bohai Sea. 

Popular known as "First Pass Under Heaven" the building pictured is the Zhendong Gate Tower. 

Just 5 km south of this gate lies Laolongtou (Old Dragon's Head), the exact point where the Great Wall extends directly into the sea. 

Visiting the Great Wall of China is absolutely worth it, as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

20 June 2026: 2.26 a.m