The natural gap between the outer stone beam and the inner stone beam, commonly known as the Haokou, is shaped like the 'door' of a boat, hence the name 'Dragon Gate'.

外石梁与内石梁之间的天然空隙，俗称浩口，形如舟行之“门”，故称“龙门”。

The reef divides the river into two. The outer side is the mainstream of the Yangtze River, while the inner side is wide enough for boats to cross, and over time it became a harbour, known in the dialect as "Hao".

因两列礁石的阻隔而一分为二，外侧为长江主流，里侧水面宽阔，适宜舟渡，久而为港，方言称小港为“浩”。

It is said that during the Shaoxing years of the Song Dynasty, the Characters “Long Men” engraved on a rock in the Yangtze River would appear in the dry season when the water levels were lower. Hence the name, Longmenhao.