Yong Peng is a small town with around 30,000 residents covering approx 1912 hectares in Batu Pahat district, Johor, Malaysia. Its name Yong Peng (永平) means everlasting peace in Chinese dialect with slightly more than half of the local residents being Chinese.
The town itself is usually not on the radar of tourists and travellers. It is, however, a stop along the Malaysian North-South highway, which runs from Johor Bahru in the south to Kedah’s Bukit Kayu Hitam in the north. We made a list of Yong Peng’s must see or try during our day-tour today, to explore this town and experience its Chinese culture.
So if you’re making a stop on a road trip at Yong Peng, here are 7 things to see and try while there.
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Visit
1. Visit Yong Peng Black Dragon Cave Temple (永平黑龙洞)
First built in 1965, the temple moved to this current location in recent years and expanded from a 2-storey tall building to the scale it is today.
Entrance to the main Taoist temple hall.
For believers who are in need of a time for quiet meditation or a hope of a change in fortune, 24 rooms are available for booking within the compound.
Taking time to admire the beautiful sculptures and decorations.
The temple has a water play area for children 10 years and below. This Black Dragon Cave Pool is off limits to children over 10 years old and adults. The opening hours are 3pm to 7pm (Mon to Thu) and 1pm to 7pm (Fri to Sun). Do note the pool is not open on Tuesday.
Address: No. 18A, Jalan Ah Looh, 83700 Yong Peng, Johor, Malaysia
2. Have a walk through the Fortune Dragon at Che Ann Khor (紫安阁)
Che Ann Khor also started from humble beginnings. With contributions from believers, it moved to current site in 1998. Today, it houses Southeast Asia longest lucky dragon structure.
Read about our visit in the post: The Fortune Dragon in Yong Peng’s Che Ann Khor
3. Watch Fuzhou noodles being made in a factory
We visited a Fuzhou noodle factory and watched the making of Fuzhou noodles.
Much of the process is mechanised, while workers were seen packing the final product.
The products they make and sell includes wanton skin, yee mee, mee suah and of course, Fuzhou noodles.
We don’t have the address to this one but it’s off the main road from Eng Hock Biscuit shop and surrounded by village houses.
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Eat and Shop
4. Try Yong Peng’s Fuzhou fishball noodle set
Yong Peng is known for its Fuzhou (福州) style cuisine. and hence a must try while you are here.
We tried their famed Fuzhou Fishball Noodle Set for lunch at Yuan Yean Fishball Eating House.
Our lunch set for today: noodles with seasoning, fried fishcake, beancurd skin with fish meat, fishballs and dumplings in soup. A set that’s not shown in the menu, but you can order them ala carte.
The fishballs were fresh and chewy. We also like the crispness of the beancurd skin. The noodles and soup, though flavourful, were overly salty for our palate. Still, the fishballs are worth a try.
Address: 122A-123 Main Rd, 83700 Yong Peng, Johor, Malaysia
5. Get some Fuzhou biscuits
Eng Hin Bakery is well-known for their Fuzhou biscuits which are freshly baked next door to their retail space.
These biscuits are round shaped yeast breads; that are either sweet or savoury; some with filling, some without. We didn’t try any though.
Address: 14, Jalan Besar, Yong Peng, Johor
6. Bring home peanut brittles from Crystal Peanut
Shop and bring home bottles of peanut brittle (peanut woven in crystalised sugar) from Crystal Peanut King, another of Yong Peng’s well-known snack. A regular stop for tour buses, the store provides free sampling for visitors.
Address: No. 12 Jalan Cahaya Bahru, Taman BCB, 83700 Yong Peng, Johor, Malaysia
7. Shopping at YoYo Your Yummy World for Food Souvenirs
A local food produce store that has its own production line alongside the retail area.
Their specialties on a sign board outside the store. Their original flavour Beh Teh Soh is high on our like list and worth trying. Food sampling is also available for their pastries.
Do note that GST is not included in the price labels on the products.
Address: PTD 24275 Jalan Persiaran Cahaya Baru, Taman Utama, 83700 Yong Peng, Malaysia
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Getting here
Yong Peng is not along the railway line and hence it is not served by any train station.
The town is linked by the North-South Expressway to other major cities and towns. Besides driving, public coaches may be taken to get to Yong Peng. The coach fare from Singapore to Yong Peng is around S$20 and estimated journey time is 2 to 3 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
Thank you for this article!
I have been in Asia (Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore) and it was an amazing experience! I visited a lot of places and did a website about it with some articles 🙂
Hi Marianne, saw the photos you took. They look amazing. 🙂