Top 6 Batu Pahat Attractions (2023)
As one of the more photogenic towns in Malaysia, there are many Batu Pahat attractions not to be missed. Many would call this town underrated or unheard of, but once you step into its boundaries, you will regret there aren’t more Instagram posts with #batupahat. While it is a fair distance from Kuala Lumpur, it’s easily accessible through bus services to Batu Pahat.
1. Minyak Beku Beach (Pantai Minyak Beku)
One of the first places you should visit in this city is Minyak Beku Beach. This beach is ideal for family gatherings and picnics due to the numerous street vendors, public restrooms, and shaded pavilions over the water. It is also one of the preferred Batu Pahat attractions for people to take pictures of because of its panoramic beauty during sunset.
This beach is also well-known because of the Batu Pahat Well, located near the mouth of the river. The history of this well can be traced back to the time of Sultan Mansur Syah, Sultan of Malacca, when it was dug by fleeing Siamese troops after they failed their attack on Malacca. Batu Pahat (or “chiselled stone”) got its name from this incident, whereby the Siamese soldiers chiselled a hole in the rock until water flowed.
2. Chong Long Gong Temple
Chong Long Gong Temple is a holy place for the local Chinese in the fishing village of Segenting. The temple is well-known for its fish-touching rite, where it is believed that touching the head of the giant arapaima fishes in the pond will bring you prosperity. Apart from that, there is a jetty for fishing boats nearby with a sea view, which is ideal for a stroll and provides a perfect and calm sunset scenery for photographers.
What’s more interesting is the Lovers’ Bridge, which has become one of the village’s most romantic Batu Pahat attractions for courting couples. The locals think that if a man and a woman walk across the bridge, they will fall in love and marry. Along the way to this attraction, you can find local hawkers and shops that might sell your favourite childhood snacks and souvenirs.
3. Y Lake Recreational Park (Taman Rekreasi Tasik Y)
As one of the more well-known Batu Pahat attractions, the park is ideally situated between the junctions of Jalan Sulit and Jalan Kolam Air which also offers free parking. This recreational park is ideal for light meals and small family gatherings due to its numerous sitting spaces and shady trees. Throughout the day, small vendors and hawkers can sell various local cuisines and snacks.
There is a jogging path around the park for running enthusiasts or casual walkers who want to take in the beauty of this artificial lake spread. You can also see the residents practising tai chi and Zumba in the morning and evening. Besides that, this park is also suitable for children as there are fun playgrounds and a couple of dinosaur sculptures.
4. Penggaram Square Batu Pahat (Dataran Penggaram Batu Pahat)
Previously known as the town square, this open field has been revitalised to become more than a simple gathering spot for retailers and diners. This Batu Pahat attraction is a large open area near the town’s centre. A sculpture of a hand made of stone chiselling a rock with a hammer in the middle of the fountain was built as a part of the town’s 100th anniversary and continues to serve as a visual narrator of the town’s history.
The area is also becoming an activity centre featuring locals with live stage performances, new year countdowns, and other community events that occur throughout the year. It is not surprising to see soccer tournaments, social gatherings, and local street food in one of the most visited places in Batu Pahat during the evenings.
5. DIY Playground Batu Pahat
A former waste dumping ground was transformed into a DIY amusement playground by an elderly man, Tan Ching Swee or fondly known as “Uncle” among the locals, using his savings and time. It was done to provide an entertaining playing space and experience for the kids in his neighbourhood. The facilities in this Batu Pahat attraction are hand-made using recyclable materials.
Among the facilities available for the kids are the zip line, manual pirate ship, slides and many more.
6. Si Hai Long Wang Temple
A former waste dumping ground was transformed into a DIY amusement playground by an elderly man, Tan Ching Swee, fondly known as “Uncle” among the locals, using his savings and time. The space provides an entertaining playing space and experience for the kids in his neighbourhood. The facilities in this Batu Pahat attraction are handmade using recyclable materials. Among the facilities available for the kids are the zip line, manual pirate ship, slides, and many more.
In actuality, the Batu Pahat attractions resemble a simple lifestyle of the community that looks for something fun and exciting in the small things around them. In contrast to the busy life of big cities like Kuala Lumpur or Johor Bahru, Batu Pahat provides a natural scenery surrounding this small town.