Pasir Gudang

Pasir Gudang is a port town and manufacturing hub in Johor, Malaysia. Generally industrial in nature, Pasir Gudang does hold a colourful kite festival in February and the local track circuit is a favourite spot for gearheads in Johor. The Tanjung Puteri golf course is also one of the largest courses in the state.

Pasir Gudang

Understand

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. Johor Port was also established in 1977, in direct competition with the trading port of Singapore.

Get in

Pasir Gudang Bus and Taxi Terminal

By plane

The town does not have its own airport. The nearest airport is the Senai International Airport (JHB ^IATA) in Senai.

By car

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

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

Pasir Gudang houses the 🌍 Pasir Gudang Passenger Terminal. Ferry services depart to/from Batam, Indonesia.

Get around

Public transportation terminals

Bus and taxi terminals in the town are:

• 🌍 Masai Terminal in Masai
• 🌍 Pasir Gudang Terminal in Pasir Gudang town center

See

Kite Museum

• 🌍 Binary Park (Taman Binary), Bandar Baru Seri Alam 81750. Park. (updated Apr 2018)
• 🌍 Bukit Layang-Layang, Kawasan Perindustrian Pasir Gudang. Park (updated Mar 2018)
• 🌍 Kite Museum (Muzium Layang-Layang), Bukit Layang-Layang. 9AM-5PM. Kites, also known as wau. Displays both traditional and modern kite collections. RM3.  
• 🌍 Sarang Buaya, Kawasan Perindustrian Tanjung Langsat. Crocodile farm. (updated Mar 2018)
• 🌍 Seri Alam Park (Taman Seri Alam), Bandar Baru Seri Alam, 81750 Masai. Park. (updated Apr 2018)
• 🌍 Sungai Johor Bridge (Jambatan Sungai Johor), Lebuhraya Senai-Desaru. Landmark bridge. (updated Apr 2018)
• 🌍 Tanjung Langsat Mangrove Recreational Park (Taman Rekreasi Bakau Tanjung Langsat), Kawasan Perindustrian Tanjung Langsat. Mangrove park. (updated Apr 2018)

Do

Johor Circuit

• 🌍 Amigos Horse Riding, Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 7AM-7PM. Horse riding school. (updated Apr 2018)
• 🌍 Coastal Paddle, Telok Kabong, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. (updated Apr 2018)
• 🌍 Johor Circuit, ☎ [phone]. 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 300m in a display of power and speed. Bikes RM60/h, cars RM80/h.  
• 🌍 Pasir Gudang Extreme Park, Jalan Mawar Biru, Kawasan Perindustrian Pasir Gudang, 81700. Skating park. (updated Apr 2018)
• 🌍 Pasir Gudang Public Library (Perpustakaan Awam Pasir Gudang), L1/11, Kompleks Pusat Bandar 81700, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Library. (updated Apr 2018)
• 🌍 Plentong Go Kart (Permas Jaya Go Kart). 
• 🌍 TS Wonderland Waterpark, Lot 6015-C Jalan Ciku Utama 2 Taman Kota Masai. Indoor water theme park with multi-storey slides. (updated Oct 2015)
• 🌍 Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort, Jalan Tanjong Puteri 1, Tanjong Puteri Resort 81700, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Golf course. (updated Apr 2018)

Buy

• Galeri Coklat, 19A, 19B-B2, Jl Ah Siang, Tanjung Puteri (about 30 m northwest of the major T-junction comprising Jl Lingkaran Dalam, Jl Ibrahim Sultan and Jl Tanjung Puteri), ☎ [phone]. 08:30-17:30. This shop-cum-museum is run by a leading Malaysian supplier of cocoa-related products. The museum and shop are found side by side in one big room on the ground level of a modern, 3-storey building. Here, you can purchase a wide range of chocolate products (both chocolate sweets and beverages) under the brand name "CacaoRich". You can also have free samples of the shop's chocolate drink. The cocoa and chocolate museum is straight ahead of you as you enter the door. Admission to the museum is free. 
• 🌍 KiP Mart Masai, Jalan Persiaran Dahlia 2, Taman Bukit Dahlia, 81700, ☎ [phone]. Supermarket. (updated Apr 2018)
• Kompleks Pusat Bandar Pasir Gudang. Fairly standard shopping mall. 
• 🌍 Mydin Mall Taman Rinting, Jalan Rinting, Taman Rinting, 81750 Masai. Supermarket. (updated Apr 2018)
• 🌍 Tesco Seri Alam, PTD 111515, Jalan Rinting, Masai, 81750, ☎ [phone]. 8AM-11PM (Sunday-Thursday), 8AM-1AM (Friday-Saturday). Supermarket. (updated Apr 2018)

Eat

Todak (Orang Asli) Restaurant

Budget

• 🌍 Restoran Selera Sambal, 25 Jln Pengkalan 5, Kampung Pasir Puteh. Ayam penyet. 
• 🌍 Tanjung Langsat Food Court (Medan Selera Tanjung Langsat), Jalan Ipil 1, Kawasan Perindustrian Tanjung Langsat. Food court. (updated Apr 2018)

Mid-range

• 🌍 Kedai Makan Rahmat, 3 Jln Pantai, Kampung Pasir Puteh . 10:30-15:30. 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. 

Splurge

• Coffeetrap Restaurant, 7,11 & 15 Jln Permas Jaya, ☎ [phone]. 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 from early as 12PM Fri-Mon and 3PM Tue-Thu, 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. 
• 🌍 Todak (Orang Asli) Restaurant, 1 Orang Asli, Telok Jawa, Masai, ☎ [phone]. 11:00-23:00. 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

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. Permas Jaya also has a bar or two.

Sleep

Thy Executive Hotel

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

• Eight Days Hotel, 24-28 Block A, Permas Mall, Jalan Permas Utara (beside Jusco Permas Jaya), ☎ [phone]. Boutique hotel with 48 rooms spread on 3 levels. Free WiFi coverage throughout the hotel. Facilities include conference room, bistro-cafe and free car park. Single room RM80, double room RM100++. 
• Grand Dragon Hotel, 27-35 Jalan Permas 10/5, Permas Jaya. All 48 rooms with attached shower, air-con and color TV. Internet access, hair dryer and complimentary newspaper. Double room RM60-70, triple room RM90. 
• OKID Hotel Johor Bahru, 41 Jalan Permas 10/7, Permas Jaya. Housed in a 4-storey building, 48 rooms, 4 types of rooms. All rooms have attached bathrooms, air-con and color TV. Free Internet access only for the triple room and the most expensive double room. No breakfast is provided. Double room RM60-80. 

Mid-range

• Hotel Selesa Pasir Gudang, Jalan Bandar, ☎ [phone]. Facilities: swimming pool, six function rooms, two restaurants. 185 rooms. All rooms have air-con, attached bathroom, coffee/tea maker, mini-bar, colour TV with ASTRO channels and in-house movies and IDD telephone. Buffet breakfast is included in the rates. RM160. 
• Silka Johor Bahru Hotel, Lot 101375, Jalan Masai Lama, Plentong, ☎ [phone]. 252-room hotel 4km southeast of AEON Tebrau City and 300m from the edge of the Pasir Gudang Highway. Normal online reservation rates for standard double/deluxe double 145/150 RM per room per night, 20% lower if you book at least 7 days in advance. There are also weekend special rates. RM150. 

Go next

• 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.