Pasir Gudang

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.

By plane

The town does not have its own airport. The nearest airport is the Senai International Airport (JHB) 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 . Ferry services depart to/from Batam, Indonesia.

Public transportation terminals

Bus and taxi terminals in the town are:

• in Masai
• in Pasir Gudang town center

• Binary Park

  address: Bandar Baru Seri Alam 81750
  Park.

• Bukit Layang-Layang

  address: Kawasan Perindustrian Pasir Gudang
  Park

• Kite Museum

  address: Bukit Layang-Layang
  Kites, also known as wau. Displays both traditional and modern kite collections.

• Sarang Buaya

  address: Kawasan Perindustrian Tanjung Langsat
  Crocodile farm.

• Senibong Cove

  address: Masai, 81750
  Waterfront area with yacht docking and restaurant rows.

• Seri Alam Park

  address: Bandar Baru Seri Alam, 81750 Masai
  Park.

• Sungai Johor Bridge

  address: Lebuhraya Senai-Desaru
  Landmark bridge.

• Tanjung Langsat Mangrove Recreational Park

  address: Kawasan Perindustrian Tanjung Langsat
  Mangrove park.

• Amigos Horse Riding

  phone: +60127966806
  address: Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort
  Horse riding school.

• Coastal Paddle

  phone: +6586615077
  address: Telok Kabong

• Johor Circuit

  phone: +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 300m in a display of power and speed.

• Pasir Gudang Extreme Park

  address: Jalan Mawar Biru, Kawasan Perindustrian Pasir Gudang, 81700
  Skating park.

• Pasir Gudang Public Library

  phone: +6072517912
  address: L1/11, Kompleks Pusat Bandar 81700
  Library.

• Plentong Go Kart

• TS Wonderland Waterpark

  address: Lot 6015-C Jalan Ciku Utama 2 Taman Kota Masai
  Indoor water theme park with multi-storey slides.

• Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort

  phone: +6072711888
  address: Jalan Tanjong Puteri 1, Tanjong Puteri Resort 81700
  Golf course.

• Galeri Coklat

  phone: +60 7 221-8873
  address: 19A, 19B-B2, Jl Ah Siang, Tanjung Puteri
  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

  phone: +60137043433
  address: Jalan Persiaran Dahlia 2, Taman Bukit Dahlia, 81700
  Supermarket.

• Kompleks Pusat Bandar Pasir GudangFairly standard shopping mall.

• Mydin Mall Taman Rinting

  address: Jalan Rinting, Taman Rinting, 81750 Masai
  Supermarket.

• Tesco Seri Alam

  phone: +6073885164
  address: PTD 111515, Jalan Rinting, Masai, 81750
  Supermarket.

Budget

• Restoran Selera Sambal

  address: 25 Jln Pengkalan 5, Kampung Pasir Puteh
  Ayam penyet.

• Tanjung Langsat Food Court

  address: Jalan Ipil 1, Kawasan Perindustrian Tanjung Langsat
  Food court.

Mid-range

• Kedai Makan Rahmat

  address: 3 Jln Pantai, Kampung Pasir Puteh
  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.

Splurge

• Coffeetrap Restaurant

  phone: +60 7 3861991
  address: 7,11 & 15 Jln Permas Jaya
  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.

• Restaurant SPOA

  address: Kg Pasir Duteh Telok Kabong

• Todak (Orang Asli) Restaurant

  phone: +60 7 386 3696
  address: 1 Orang Asli, Telok Jawa, Masai
  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.

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.

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

  phone: +60 7 3889 889
  address: 24-28 Block A, Permas Mall, Jalan Permas Utara
  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.

• Grand Dragon Hotel

  address: 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.

• OKID Hotel Johor Bahru

  address: 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.

Mid-range

• Hotel Selesa Pasir Gudang

  phone: +60 7 251 8899
  address: Jalan Bandar
  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.

• Silka Johor Bahru Hotel

  phone: +60 7-360 1000
  address: Lot 101375, Jalan Masai Lama, Plentong
  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.

• 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.