Batu Pahat is a rapidly developing town in Johor state of Malaysia, sharing the same name to its district Batu Pahat, which is formed by several other towns such as Batu Pahat Town (also called Bandar Penggaram) and Yong Peng.

The Batu Pahat town is positioned second as manufacturing industrial town in Johor, which mainly produces textiles and garments. Located conveniently close to Kluang, Muar, Pontian, and Segamat, the town enjoys spurring growth on shopping malls and hypermarkets from neighbouring townspeople.

Earning its title as “Northern Johor Shopping Paradise” as the second largest urban area in Johor by 2012 and the many malls in the town, Batu Pahat also has its fair shares of cultural sights such as temples and fishing villages.

How to Get There

By Plane

The nearest airport to Batu Pahat is Kuala Lumpur’s KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) and LCCT (Low-Cost Carrier Terminal). From Kuala Lumpur, you need to transfer by a 3-hour road trip, usually by bus.

By Car

To reach Batu Pahat from Kuala Lumpur by personal vehicle, drive on North-South Expressway. From the south, exit at Air Hitam/Yong Peng, and from the north, exit at Tangkak/Pagoh; then navigate to the town according to the street signs.

By Bus

Buses to Batu Pahat alight at Batu Pahat Express Bus Terminal.

From Johor Bahru: the 1.5 to 2-hour-trip from Larkin Bus Terminal Johor Bahru costs around 11.00 MYR.

From Kuala Lumpur: buses depart from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, Kuala Lumpur with fare starting from 26.00 MYR. The earliest departure is at 08:30 AM, with one-hour interval until 08:30 PM.

From Singapore: hop on bus No. 170 from Kranji MRT to pass Woodlands Custom checkpoint, and continue the journey by bus 170 or CW-1 to Larkin, then transfer to Batu Pahat using another bus.

From KLIA: there is a direct coach to Batu Pahat from KLIA and KLIA2, taking around 5 hours or more. The fare is 55.00 MYR and stop by Muar before terminating at Batu Pahat

Tourist Attractions

The lower living cost in Batu Pahat makes it a great destination for budget-wise shopping as well as sightseeing spots.

Pasar Malam (Night Market)

The night market ("pasar malam" in local language) in Batu Pahat town is very famous especially due to its different locations, rotating every week. Aside of that, you can buy various goods, daily necessities, and food at cheap prices. Below are the weekly locations of the night market:

• Sunday: Taman Nira 尼拉花园
• Monday: Taman Bukit Pasir 白沙孚花园
• Tuesday: Taman Soga 苏雅花园
• Wednesday: Taman Bukit Perdana 龙华山庄
• Thursday: Jalan Omar (former Bus Stand)
• Friday: Taman Sri Jaya (outside Square One Mall)
• Saturday: Kampung Kenangan Dato Onn

Wet World

Being the only waterpark in Johor State, Wet World is a famous recreation spot to the townships. Located around Merdeka Lake and occupying a generous 44-acre land, Wet World is reachable within a 20-minute drive from the town center. There are gift shop and fast food outlet as well.

Wet World opening hours:

• Weekdays: 01:00 PM - 07:00 PM
• Weekends, public holidays: 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM
• Tuesday: closed, except on public holiday and school holiday

Wet World admission fee:

• Adult: 10.00 MYR
• Children (3-12 yo): 5.00 MYR

Segenting

Segenting is a small town situated in Minyak Beku Beach, about 8 km from Batu Pahat town. This tourism village is atypical of a fishing village with floating houses, supported by stilts at sea-edge.

The famous attraction includes Fish-touching Chong Long Temple, which worships Da Bo Gong (Grand Uncle), Ma Zu (Goddess of Sea), and Hai Long Wang (Dragon King) among other deities. It earns its name of the fish-touching temple upon the main tourist interest activity, touching the tame arapaima fishes in the temple pond. It is believed that touching them may bring good luck.

Another popular attraction is Lover Bridge; a long, plank-built and stilts-supported jetty located very close to Chong Long Temple. Its lengthy walk accompanied by the sea breeze and beautiful view attracts many tourists. However, the main factor that makes this picturesque jetty famous is local belief which says that if a man and a woman walk on the bridge, they will become couples

Dataran Penggaram

Dataran Penggaram is a recreational park housing the symbol and essence of the industrial town, which is a landmark of hammer, chisel, and stone. Aside of it, the park serves as the town square and gets busy during big celebrations such as Eid al-Fitr, Chinese New Year, and National Day. During other days, this well-tended park is a relaxing spot with food stalls to buy some snacks and peaceful view of children flying kites. It can be easily reached from Jalan Rahmat, opposite the police station.

Jian Nan Si Temple

Jian Nan Si was established in 1953, and ever since the temple had been renovated only once in 1998, turning the Chinese temple into a majestic and fine-crafted building. The temple is also well lit and decorated with lanterns that make the venue a great spot for taking wedding photos among the locals. It is situated on 402-A, Jalan Bukit Pasir, 83000 Batu Pahat, Johor Malaysia.

Batu Pahat is a local cuisines haven, mainly Chinese-influenced dishes such as fried carrot cake and its signature yet ubiquitous Nasi Beriani, an adopted Indian cuisine. Amongst them, Batu Pahat is best known for the asam pedas dishes with many choices of fishes as the main ingredient, including sembilang (a typical water catfish), red snapper, and even stingray.

The following are several choices to eat: Glutton Square (next to Batu Pahat jetty custom), SJ Corner Kopitiam, Restoran Bariani Power at Taman Soga, Restoran Man Cathays, Asam Pedas Tambak, and Ship Village Seafood.

Shophouses along Penggaram Street is a great spot to shop textile goods and gold trinkets. Moreover, the colonial-style buildings also sell luggage and bags with bargainable prices, so make sure you know the trick to negotiating with the shopkeeper.

Despite the size of the town, Batu Pahat houses popular upscale shopping centers and mid-range ones, a favorite destination to even Singaporean visitors. For example: The Summit shopping mall, with small shops and varieties of cheap goods like DVDs; Batu Pahat Mall (BP Mall), a one-stop for food and hypermarket located outside the Town Center; Square One Shopping Mall, an integrated hypermarket and lifestyle shopping compound.

A nearby seaside village, Minyak Beku, is home to the famous big chiselled rock, which is also related to the legend of Batu Pahat name origin, literally translates as "chiselled rock".