Pontian is a district in southwest Johor. Back in the old days, Sungai Pontian Besar was a prominent pit stop for sailors during monsoon season. Its capital district, Pontian Kechil, was formerly a fishing village that has been developed into a small town. Today, this beautiful town has its very own charms.
Picturesque scenery, scrumptious food, and amazing adventure lie within the peaceful town. This 2-day itinerary will be your guide to explore the beauty of Pontian. Let’s go!
Day 1
Pontian Wholesale Fish Market > lunch at Pontian Town > Kukup Laut > Tanjung Piai National Park
Pontian Wholesale Fish Market
Located in the central part of Pontian, this wholesale fish market is one of the rare bidding markets in Malaysia. What makes the bidding session unique is that the customers can only whisper the price instead of shouting out. The best part is you can request a nearby restaurant to cook the fishes you just bought from the market. As fresh as you can get!
Address: Pontian Kecil, 82000 Pontian, Johor
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 4.00 am – 1.30 pm (Closed on Monday)
Lunch at Pontian Town
While you are exploring Pontian, don’t forget to try its very own iconic dishes–wonton mee. Wanton mee Pontian-style is made of handmade egg noodles with its signature savoury-sweet spicy tomato sauce and topped off with char siew. It is paired with a bowl of clear wonton soup. This fulfilling and flavourful dish is perfect for lunch!
Restaurant: Heng Heng Original Tomato Wanton Mee
Address: 766, Lorong Anggerik, Kampung Parit Mesjid, 82000 Pontian, Johor
Contact: +607-687 1975
Opening Hours: Saturday – Thursday: 9.30 am – 3.30 pm (Closed on Friday)
Kukup Laut
One of Pontian’s most remarkable tourist attractions, Kukup Laut and nearby villages is full of history, dating a hundred years back. While you are here, don’t miss the chance to marvel at the natural wonders of the swamp coast and mangrove seashore. Enjoy the fresh breeze, picturesque view, and serene environment while exploring this area.
Address: Kukup Laut, 82300 Kukup, Johor
Opening Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Tanjung Piai National Park
Located at the southernmost tip of Asia, Tanjung Piai National Park is truly a paradise for nature lovers. It is home to plenty of wildlife and some of the most majestic floral species. It features a wooden boardwalk that allows you to walk around the mangrove forest without walking in the mudflats. It also leads you to observation towers and a jetty where you can enjoy the sunset by the sea.
Address: Taman Negara Johor Tanjung Piai Mukim, 82030 Kukup, Johor
Opening Hours:
Weekdays: 8.00 am – 5.00 pm
Weekends: 8.00 – 6.00 pm
Day 2
Nictar Farm > lunch at Pekan Nanas > Tian Ling Dian Chinese Temple > Platform Coffee and Homestay
Nictar Farm
Pontian is well-known for pineapples. Nictar Farm is a pineapple plantation that cultivates different kinds of pineapple. Due to the soft swamp soil, the pineapples here are juicer and sweeter. Spend your second day here, and learn more about pineapple plantations. Of course, you can pick and eat the sweet pineapple as well!
Address: PTD 10822, Batu 24, 81500 Pekan Nanas, Johor
Contact: +6012-707 2589
Opening Hours: Daily, 8.30 am – 5.30 pm
Lunch at Pekan Nanas
For lunch, why not have a detour at Pekan Nanas? Don’t miss out on the chance to try Johor’s popular dishes, mee rebus and curry laksa. Both are special and full of flavours. You can choose either one, or even better, have them both!
Restaurant: Mee Rebus Sentap Anim
Address: Taman Seri Damansara, 81500 Pekan Nanas, Johor
Contact: +6017-762 8646
Opening Hours: Friday – Wednesday: 4.30 pm – 12.30 am (Closed on Thursday)
Restaurant: Lee Koh Kee Laksa
Address: Jalan Sawah, 81500 Pekan Nanas, Johor
Contact: +6012-766 6668
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday: 8.30 am – 3.00 pm (Closed on Sunday)
Tian Ling Dian Chinese Temple
Tian Ling Dian Chinese Temple is located almost at the border of Pontian. This heritage site used to be a small temple. Today, it owns more than 200 statues of Buddha, so it can be considered as the temple with the most complete statues in Malaysia. Adorned with spectacular Chinese-style decoration, it attracts many visitors who come not only to pray but also to admire its beauty.
Address: Jalan Ulu Choh, Kampung Ulu Choh, 81500 Pekan Nanas, Johor
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday: 7.00 am – 5.00 pm (Closed on Sunday)
Platform Coffee & Homestay
End your 2-days trip in Pontian with a relaxing evening at Platform Coffee & Homestay. Located in the residential area of Pekan Nanas, it stands out due to its unique design. The interior was delicately designed to give it a homely, nostalgic ambiance. You can have a rest on the tatami here, or enjoy their signature coffee.
Address: DH17A, Lorong A-4, 81500 Pekan Nanas, Johor
Contact: +6011-1513 6749
Opening Hours:
Friday – Tuesday: 11.00 am – 6.00 pm
Closed on Wednesday and Thursday
There you have it—a complete, fun-filled itinerary for a 2-day trip to Pontian! So where are you headed this weekend? For more wonderful experiences in Malaysia, check out KKday now!
Words by Fatihah MSabri
Featured image by Cik Bak & yusuf madi on Shutterstock
