Putuo Village in Kulai, Johor
Not every nature escape needs to involve a flight to Bali. Tucked away in Kulai, just about an hour’s drive from the Causeway, is Putuo Village – a low-key refuge for you to hit reset.
There’s a temple, a bamboo forest with Japan vibes, and a cafe that’s free from the usual JB weekend crowd. We dropped by for a little break from the city grind – here’s what you can expect.
The current exchange rate is RM1 = ~S$0.30 as of 29th May 2025.
How to get to Putuo Village?
There are 2 easy ways to make your way to Putuo Village – by car or train.
If you’re driving, just key “Putuo Village” into Google Maps and you’ll be there in about an hour from the JB checkpoint.
For those who don’t drive, hop on the KTM train from JB Sentral to Kulai – the journey takes around 50 minutes. From Kulai station, book a ride on Grab or any of these ride-hailing apps available in Malaysia – it’s only a short 15-minute trip to the village.
What to expect at Putuo Village
1. Purple Bamboo Valley
Plenty of photo spots amidst nature
The Purple Bamboo Valley at Putuo Village is a breath of fresh air – literally – with rows of bamboo trees that are said to have air-purifying benefits.
Before you enter, you’ll have to pay RM10 (~S$3.04) per adult, or RM5 (~S$1.52) for seniors 55 years and above, and kids below 12 and below. Rather than a standard admission fee, it’s called a “bamboo conservation fee” – think of it as your small contribution to keeping the place green and clean.
There are IG-worthy corners at every turn, but one standout is the row of cascading fabric in soft pastel hues.
Right nearby, there’s also a rainbow road that adds a fun pop of colour to your photo roll. It’s perfect for couple shots, solo OOTDs, or that jump shot you swore you had stopped doing in 2016.
We also spotted these 2 giant inflatable hands – the one in pink symbolises luck in romance, and the other in orange for wealth and prosperity. My colleague made a beeline for the pink one while I went straight for the money. We sure got our priorities right.
A few steps away is a set of shiny gold wings waiting for you to channel your inner angel.
Don’t miss the giant golden snake sculpture while you’re there – it stands at 10.5m tall and is made up of exactly 8,888 scales, because huat numbers, of course. Coiled around a bamboo stalk, it’s said to guard all directions and symbolise blessings.
Stop by the hut selling snacks and drinks before you make your way to the other parts of Putuo Village.
We tried the Earl Grey Milk Tea ice cream (RM10, ~S$3.04) served in an actual bamboo tube. It leans on the sweeter side, so if you’re not big on sugary treats, this might not be your thing. But it’s mainly for the aesthetic anyway. There’s also a White Chocolate Mint variation to choose from.
The flavours rotate regularly – we heard they’ve had Taro and Coconut before – so there’s always something new to try the next time you visit.
For something savoury, go for the bamboo sticky rice (from RM10.90, ~S$3.32) and wash it all down with a cup of bamboo tea (RM3, ~S$0.91).
2. Bodhi Sanctuary
Experience Buddhist culture
Bodhi Sanctuary is where things slow down even more. The first thing you’ll spot is probably the grand temple architecture.
Walk a little further in and you’ll see a 12m-long dragon sculpture made entirely out of bamboo staring right back at you. Suspended from steel wires outside the main hall, this 200kg masterpiece took 6 months to complete, and it looks just as impressive as it sounds. That’s coming from us who saw it IRL.
The temple’s also home to the largest indoor statue of Cundi Bodhisattva (Zhǔntí Guānyīn) in Southeast Asia.
You won’t miss the eye-catching Wishing Tree, decked out in thousands of red ribbons hanging from the trunk and branches. If you’re feeling hopeful, make a small donation, scribble your wish on a ribbon, and try your luck tossing it onto the tree.
There’s also a Prayer Wheel Corridor, where dozens of prayer wheels donated by devotees line the walkway. Take note that the wheels are meant to be spun clockwise, and make sure to only touch the wooden handles when you do – don’t be that person breaking temple etiquette.
As you head towards the Lotus Pathway, look up and you’ll see rows of 5-coloured prayer flags. These aren’t just for show – they’re believed to help clear bad karma for those who walk beneath them.
You can choose to make an offering by purchasing prayer flags for RM80 (~S$24.33), which will then be enshrined along the pathway.
Pro tip: don’t start your visit at the Bodhi Sanctuary unless you’re in the mood for leg day.
We made that mistake and had to huff our way uphill to get to the Purple Bamboo Valley. Save yourself the sweat and start with the bamboo forest first. But if you’re up for the short hike, the peaceful music that plays throughout the sanctuary makes the climb feel a little less brutal.
3. Fat Bamboo Cafe
Take a break while munching on snacks & drinks
Before you leave Putuo Village, swing by Fat Bamboo Cafe, which is nestled within the Bodhi Sanctuary. After sweating it out around the village, you’ll be grateful for the aircon blasting inside.
Image credit: Fat Bamboo Cafe via Google Maps
The entire space leans into the bamboo theme, right down to the tables and chairs. With floor-to-ceiling windows, it’s also a chill spot to sit back and enjoy the greenery.
We tried the Honey Chrysanthemum Bamboo Tea (RM9.90, ~S$3.01), which came with a bamboo-patterned cup sleeve. For something more refreshing, the Lychee Green Tea and Peach Green Tea, both priced at RM10.90 (~S$3.32), are great picks too.
The cafe also serves coffee from RM8.90 (~S$2.71) and light bites like Matcha Mousse Cake (RM13.90, ~S$4.23) and Spicy Floss Bun (RM6.90, ~S$2.10).
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Is Putuo Village worth the trip?
Image credit: Putuo Village
We’d say it’s worth the drive or train ride up, especially if you’re tired of the mundane JB cafe hopping or shopping mall runs. Entry to Putuo Village is free, and you’ll only need to fork out a small fee to explore the Purple Bamboo Valley.
It’s located in Kulai, a quieter, lesser-known town in Johor that hasn’t been overtaken by weekend crowds yet. That means fewer photo-bombers and more time to just be.
Image credit: Putuo Village
The village regularly hosts special events too, like their upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival happening from 13th September to 6th October 2025. Check out the latest news on Putuo Village’s website to help you plan your trip around the festivities.
But the real win is: you’ll get bragging rights for discovering this gem before it becomes the next IG hotspot among your friends.
More to do in Kulai:
Cover image adapted from: The Smart Local
Photography by Cassia Leong.