Happy TravellerWelcome to Yong Peng, a quaint town located in the Batu Pahat District of Johor, Malaysia. With an area of 1911.6 hectares and an estimated population of 29,046, Yong Peng is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Let’s take a journey through the history, culture, and attractions of this charming town.
== History ==
Yong Peng has a rich history dating back to the 1800s. During the reign of Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor, a policy was initiated to modernize Johor and increase tax revenue by opening up more of the forest and swamp area for plantation purposes. To do so, they needed a massive number of workers. Coincidentally, the political and social chaos in Southern China during that period made the Chinese migrants an obvious choice. Some of these early Chinese pioneers traveled from the river mouth starting from Batu Pahat and along the Bekok River and settled upon a fertile land not far from where Sungai Bekok and Sungai Sedi meets. The town was known at that time as Sri Bertam, named after a tree by the name Bertam Tree in Kampong Bukit Jambu. The Malays were then ruled by Arujamin Bin Runshut and most of them had just escaped from the Dutch after losing the war to the latter in Acheh. In November 1847, four Chinese immigrants from Chaozhou led by Boo Koh Lak Loo (better known as Ah Loh) came to Sri Bertam by boat after paddling up Sungai Bekok. They then built three houses at the present Government Clinic compound. Later he and his men with the help of his Malay friends began to clear some thick forests around the river banks. When this small settlement prospered and progressed, Boo named the place Yong Peng or Everlasting Peace in Chinese.
== Culture ==
Yong Peng is a melting pot of cultures, with more than half of the local residents being of Chinese origin, whose forefathers migrated from southern China in the 1880s. The rest are Malays and Indians who mainly reside in the surrounding Yong Peng areas. The town is known for its Fuzhou style cuisine, including HockChew Chow Mien, HockChew Egg Soup, HockChew FishBall, Fermented Red Rice Wine Chicken, Fermented Red Rice Wine Noodles, HockChew Square Bread, and HockChew plain bread. There are also plenty of local Malay and Indian food stalls. One famous place is near the wet market, where people usually go for breakfast. It is famous for its nasi lemak, lontong, and mee goreng.
== Tourist Attractions ==
Yong Peng has several tourist attractions that are worth visiting. The Fortune Dragon, built by Che Ann Khor Yong Peng Association, is a must-see. The Tian Pao Kong Temple is famous for the 68 feet tall Ji Gong bronze statue. The RUMAH BERHALA GUA NAGA HITAM Temple is also a popular attraction.
== Transportation ==
Yong Peng is easily accessible via the North-South Expressway, which has two main interchanges. The old north-south trunk road, the Federal Route 1, runs through downtown Yong Peng. PLUS Expressway has an exit serving Yong Peng town. Connection to Muar, Parit Sulong, and Batu Pahat is possible via Federal Route 24 while access to Kluang and Mersing is through the interchange with the Batu Pahat-Kluang-Jemaluang highway (Federal Route 50) near Ayer Hitam.
Yong Peng is a hidden gem that is waiting to be explored. With its rich history, culture, and attractions, it is a must-visit destination for any traveler. Book your trip to Yong Peng today and experience the charm of this quaint town for yourself!
