Understand
[edit]The name Pasir Gudang originated from the existence of a sand mine at Kampung Ulu. Sand or 'pasir' in Malay was stocked in sand pits or 'gudang', to be exported to Singapore, hence the name 'Pasir Gudang'.
Other than sand, the areas surrounding Pasir Gudang were mainly used by plantation owners to grow catechu and black pepper, along with pineapples. Upon the introduction of rubber to Malaysia, large estates around Plentong were opened by British and Singaporean cultivators. During the 1970s, the state government took over former plantation estates, converting them into industrial and housing areas and cementing Pasir Gudang as a hub for heavy industry. The mass of chemical factories means that the air quality sometimes worsens noticeably, taking on a hint of burning plastic. It is also an important port city serving Johor Bahru, together with Tanjung Pelepas to the west.
It was home to 47,000 people in 2010.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]The city does not have its own airport. The nearest airport is the Senai International Airport (JHB IATA) in Senai.
By car
[edit]From JB, follow the signs north towards Kota Tinggi and make a right turn off to Pasir Gudang where signposted, then you can't go much wrong following the major Lebuhraya Pasir Gudang (Federal Route 17). Alternatively, take the JB East Coast Highway, which will pass by Permas Jaya.
By bus
[edit]Bus fees should cost about RM3-5 from Johor Bahru city centre. Ask for 'Bandaraya Johor Bahru' should there be any difficulty in getting back to the main city.
- Pasir Gudang: Maju bus 224 travels between Larkin Bus Terminal and Pasir Gudang, passing by Plaza Pelangi, Tebrau City and Johor Jaya.
- Masai: Maju buses 39, 200 and 208 run from Larkin to JB city centre to Masai. Transit Link 133 and 133A start from Masai, making a loop to JB then returning to Masai. Causeway Link 9B from JB also stops at Masai Bus Terminal.
By boat
[edit]Pasir Gudang houses the 1 Pasir Gudang Passenger Terminal. Ferry services depart to/from Batam, Indonesia.
Get around
[edit]Public transportation terminals
[edit]Bus and taxi terminals in the city are:
- 2 Masai Bus and Taxi Terminal (Terminal Bas dan Teksi Masai). in Masai.
- 3 Pasir Gudang Bus and Taxi Terminal (Terminal Bas dan Teksi Pasir Gudang). in Pasir Gudang city center.
See
[edit]- 1 Kite Museum (Muzium Layang-Layang), Bukit Layang-Layang. 9AM-5PM. Kites, also known as wau. Displays both traditional and modern kite collections. RM3.
- 2 Sarang Buaya, Kawasan Perindustrian Tanjung Langsat, ☏ +60 72517208, [email protected]. 9AM-4:30PM. Crocodile farm.
- 3 Senibong Cove, Masai, 81750. Waterfront area with yacht docking and restaurant rows.
- 4 Sungai Johor Bridge (Jambatan Sungai Johor), Lebuhraya Senai-Desaru. A big and long landmark bridge connecting Pasir Gudang and Kota Tinggi District over Johor River.
Nature
[edit]- 5 Binary Park (Taman Binary), Bandar Baru Seri Alam 81750. Park.
- 6 Bukit Layang-Layang, Kawasan Perindustrian Pasir Gudang. A vast grass park equipped with amphitheater, gardens, jogging track and museum. Suitable to play kites or any activity in an open space.
- 7 Johor Agricultural Park (Taman Pertanian Johor), Jalan Kong Kong, 81700 Masai, ☏ +60 72666707, [email protected]. Recreational agricultural farm.
- 8 Sungai Buluh Recreational Park (Laman Rekreasi Sungai Buluh). Park with rows of eateries, jogging track, amphitheater, children's playground and river.
- 9 Taman Seri Alam Lake Garden (Taman Tasik Taman Seri Alam), Bandar Baru Seri Alam, 81750 Masai. Park surrounding a lake with walking path crossing the center of the lake and children playground.
- 10 Tanjung Langsat Mangrove Recreational Park (Taman Rekreasi Bakau Tanjung Langsat), Kawasan Perindustrian Tanjung Langsat. Mangrove park.
- 11 Tun Jeanne Abdullah Lake Park (Taman Tasik Tun Jeanne Abdullah), Persiaran Seri Alam, Bandar Baru Seri Alam, 81750 Masai. Park with two big lakes at its center, walking path and juggle trekking.
Do
[edit]Sports
[edit]- 1 Amigos Horse Riding, Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort, Jalan Tanjong Puteri 1, 81707, ☏ +60 127966806, [email protected]. 7AM-7PM. Horse riding school.
- 2 Coastal Paddle, Telok Kabong, ☏ +65 86615077, [email protected].
- 3 Johor Circuit, ☏ +60 7 2521313. The track alternates bike and car racing in turn. Bikers will require full-face helmets, leather gloves and leather jackets for basic safety. Saturday night sprints are popular, where car enthusiasts race their cars down a straight stretch of 300 m in a display of power and speed. Bikes RM60/hr, cars RM80/hr.
- 4 Kulim Ecotrail Retreat. Great team Olympic, kayaking, leap of faith, raft building, stand up paddling, tree climbing.
- 5 Nam Heng Country Club, Nam Heng Estate. Golf course.
- 6 Pasir Gudang Extreme Park, Jalan Mawar Biru, Kawasan Perindustrian Pasir Gudang, 81700. Skating park for skateboards and inline skates.
- 7 Plentong Go Kart (Permas Go Kart), ☏ +60 197111733, [email protected]. Karting circuit in the middle of palm oil plantation.
- 8 TS Wonderland Waterpark, Lot 6015-C Jalan Ciku Utama 2 Taman Kota Masai, 81700, ☏ +60 73006465, +60 1110943968, [email protected]. Them park which consists of indoor water park and indoor space adventure.
- 9 Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort, Jalan Tanjong Puteri 1, Tanjong Puteri Resort 81700, ☏ +60 72711888, [email protected]. Golf course.
Fishing
[edit]- 10 Jentayu Aquatic, Km 7, Jalan Kong Kong-Masai, Cahaya Baharu, 81750, ☏ +60 137665342. Fishing in a fish pond.
- 11 Kong Kong Floating Chalet (Kong Kong Chalet Terapung), Kong Kong, ☏ +60 134806300.
- 12 Kota Masai Fishing Pond (Triple S), Jalan Cermai 21, Taman Kota Masai 81750. 24 hours. Fishing in a fish pond.
- 13 Nine Boat Services, No. 35C, Kampung Kong-Kong Laut, Masai 81750. Boat rental services for fishing activities from Kong Kong.
- 14 Pak Ngah Kong Kong Angler Team, Kong Kong, 81900. Boat rental services for fishing activities from Kong Kong. MYR80-350.
Music
[edit]- 15 Gama Rock House JDT, No. 23, Jalan Cempedak 2, Taman Kota Masai, ☏ +60 1118915162. Concert venue for those rock music lovers with scheduled concerts on local or international rock bands.
- 16 The Rockin Jamz Hall, 152/02, Jalan Sierra Perdana 4/1, Taman Sierra Perdana, Masai. Concert venue for those heavy metal music lovers with scheduled concerts on local or international heavy metal bands.
Others
[edit]- 17 Pasir Gudang Public Library (Perpustakaan Awam Pasir Gudang), L1/11, Kompleks Pusat Bandar 81700, ☏ +60 72517912, [email protected]. Library.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Econsave Pasir Gudang, No. 2, Jalan Rusa, Taman Scientex, Pasir Gudang, 81700, ☏ +60 72891562. 8AM-10:30PM. Supermarket.
- 2 KiPMall Masai, Jalan Persiaran Dahlia 2, Taman Bukit Dahlia, 81700, ☏ +60 137043433. 10:30AM-10:00PM. Supermarket with Jalan Jalan Japan shop, a shop specialized in cheap second hand Japanese products.
- Kompleks Pusat Bandar Pasir Gudang. Fairly standard shopping mall.
- 3 Mydin Mall Taman Rinting, Jalan Rinting, Taman Rinting, 81750 Masai. Supermarket.
- 4 Lotus's Eco Tropics, PTD 117754, Jalan Eko Perniagaan 7, Taman Kota Masai, 81700, toll-free: +1300131313. Sa-W 8AM-11PM, Th F 8AM-midnight. Supermarket.
- 5 Lotus's Seri Alam, PTD 111515, Jalan Rinting, Masai, 81750, ☏ +60 73885164. Su-Th 8AM-11PM, F Sa 8AM-1AM. Supermarket.
- 6 Maslee Pasir Gudang, 1-12, Jalan Persiaran Cendana, Taman Cendana, 81700, ☏ +60 72555668. 9:30AM-10:00PM. Supermarket.
- 7 Maslee Cahaya Masai, No. 1, 3, 5, Jalan Intan 13, Taman Cahaya Masai, 81700, ☏ +60 72562600. 9:30AM-10:00PM. Supermarket.
- 8 Maslee Kota Masai, No. 25, Jalan Tembikai 1, Taman Kota Masai, 81700, ☏ +60 72525004. 9:30AM-10:00PM. Supermarket.
Eat
[edit]Budget
[edit]- 1 Restoran Selera Sambal, 25 Jln Pengkalan 5, Kampung Pasir Puteh. Ayam penyet.
- 2 Tanjung Langsat Food Court (Medan Selera Tanjung Langsat), Jalan Ipil 1, Kawasan Perindustrian Tanjung Langsat. Food court.
Mid-range
[edit]- 3 Bora Bora Botanist, Unit No.1 Block B, Senibong Cove, Masai, 81750, ☏ +60 73863338. Noon-10PM. Restaurant.
- 4 Kedai Makan Rahmat, 3 Jln Pantai, Kampung Pasir Puteh. 10:30AM-3:30PM. Famous for their deep fried fish, or siakap goreng, which are fried with their scales on, keeping the flesh inside tender. The restaurant is built on top of stilts extending over the shore of the Johor Straits. RM30.
- 5 Rowan & Parsley, No. 17, Jalan Cenderai 20, Kawasan Perindustrial Kota Putri, Masai, 81750, ☏ +60 127275717. Smokehouse barbecue restaurant in a garden-themed venue.
Splurge
[edit]- Coffeetrap Restaurant, 7,11 & 15 Jln Permas Jaya, ☏ +60 7 3861991. Open daily. A sidewalk alfresco dining outlet with live music from early as 7:30PM. The best dishes are lamb shank, grilled salmon, chicken chop with gravy. Popular with locals and expatriates F-M from early as noon and Tu-Th from 3PM with happy hour promotions until 9PM. Fresh fruit juices and vegetarian dishes are also available. RM40 for dinner and drinks.
- Restaurant SPOA, Kg Pasir Duteh Telok Kabong.
- 6 Todak (Orang Asli) Restaurant, 1 Orang Asli, Telok Jawa, Masai, ☏ +60 7 386 3696. 11AM-11PM. Set on a breezy wooden boardwalk right on the Straits of Johor, the restaurant is famous for its seafood and crab platters. The tables are moodily lit with red lights, covered with red plastic and matched with red chairs.
Drink
[edit]There are next to no drinking holes to be found in Pasir Gudang. Even the seafood restaurants may not necessarily serve beer or any form of alcohol. The Tanjung Puteri golf resort has a couple of lounges open to the public.
Sleep
[edit]Most people who stay in the hotels here are usually on long-term business trips, otherwise preferring to stay in Johor Bahru. There are a few eco-tourism spots such as Kampung Perigi Acheh which offer a rustic kampung experience.
Budget
[edit]- 1 7 Heaven Boutique Hotel, No. 51, Jalan Suria 7, Bandar Seri Alam, Masai, ☏ +60 72552555, [email protected].
- 2 Kyoto Boutique Hotel, No. 2, 6, 8, 10, Jalan Kota 1/2, Taman Cahaya Kota Putri, 81750, ☏ +60 167562333.
- 3 Peach Hill Hotel & Cafe, No. 57, Jalan Masai Utama 1, Taman Masai Utama, Masai, 81750, ☏ +60 72556128.
- 4 Roselyn Inn, No. 41, 01, Jalan Mangga 1, Taman Kota Masai, 81700, ☏ +60 104011393. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00.
- 5 Tey Hotel, No. 73, 73A, 75A, Jalan Intan 13, Taman Cahaya Masai, 81700, ☏ +60 72522688.
Mid-range
[edit]- 6 Thy Executive Hotel, No.2 Jalan Mutiara 1, Taman Perindustrian Plentong, Masai, 81750, ☏ +60 73532888, [email protected]. Hotel.
Splurge
[edit]- 7 Green Valley Eco Resort, ☏ +60 167278800, [email protected].
- 8 Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort, Jalan Tanjong Puteri 1, Taman Tanjung Puteri Resort, 81700, ☏ +60 72711888, +60 72596100, [email protected]. RM243.80 (room only).
Go next
[edit]- Johor Bahru
- Desaru - go further east on the E22 for beach resorts on the South China Sea.
- Sepang - for more time on the racing track.