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Places of Interest

The Grand Palace and Royal Sultan Abu Bakar Museum In 1866, Sultan Abu Bakar the father of modern Johor built the magnificent Istana Besar (Grand Palace) as his official residence. The North Wing today houses the Royal Sultan Abu Bakar Museum, showcasing rare and beautiful treasures from all over the world.

Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque On top of the hill overlooking the Straits of Johor not far from the Istana Besar, stands the magnificent Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, one of the most beautiful old mosques in Malaysia.

Sultan Ibrahim Building Dominating the Johor Bahru skyline, the building houses the state secretariat and the offices of the state government. The building reflects both local and colonial architecture.

Gunung Ledang In the north, Gunung Ledang or Mount Ophir at 1,276m provides a challenging two-day return trek passing through waterfalls and forests. At the relatively flat summit, a panoramic view of the Straits of Malacca and Sumatra coastline can be seen on a clear day. Also, a popular picnic spot is the Gunung Ledang Waterfall, at the base of the mountain.

Endau-Rompin National Park Explore the vast wilderness rainforest in this park, one of the peninsula's largest virgin lowland forests. It is a major conservation area to the diversity of flora and fauna found within. There are some 26km of jungle trails within the park, the most well-trodden path being the grueling 16km trail from Kuala Jasin to Batu Hampar and Buaya Sangkut, with numerous rapids crossings. At Buaya Sangkut, be enchanted by the beautiful sight of a waterfall.

Desaru Near the peninsula's southeastern tip is a 25km beach resort destination for Johor folk and neighboring Singapore. The waters here are often conducive for swimming, water-skiing, canoeing and catamaran sailing. Enjoy recreational activities such as go-karting, golfing and ultra-light aircraft flying. The Desaru Fruit Farm is also located here and offers interesting agro-tours. Nearby is Lebam River where visitors have the opportunity to see fireflies at night. About 8km north of Desaru is the Fishermen's Museum at Tanjung Balau which displays fish traps and equipment used by the local fishermen and various artifacts of the trade.

Kota Tinggi Waterfalls The water cascades from a height of 36m down a steep precipice into a pool deep enough for swimming. At the base of the fall, there are changing rooms, camping grounds and restaurants.

Danga Bay Situated along the popular Lido Beach, Danga Bay is a great place to unwind, relax and just watch the city go by. Sample the delicious fare available from the number of restaurants serving both local and international cuisine.

Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation (JARO) The Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation or JARO is located along Jalan Sungai Chat where visitors can purchase baskets, bedspreads, furniture, soft toys and various other products made by the disabled community.

Tanjung Piai This environmental sanctuary is also the southernmost tip of mainland Asia. It is made up of coastal mangroves and is home to many species of birds. There is a park and visitors' complex where one can learn more about this wetland.

Islands off Mersing The state's beautiful offshore islands, Sibu Besar, Sibu Hujung, Sibu Tengah, Sibu Kukus, Rawa, Aur, Pemanggil and Tinggi are accessible from both the Mersing and Tanjung Leman jetties. Aur Island, along with Dayang Island, Lang Island and Pinang Island, are rated among the best diving destinations within the Johor Marine Park Area. The deeper waters around the area ensure good visibility and variety of marine life. Dive trips can be booked at most dive shops on any of the islands. Simple resorts are the order of the day on these idyllic secluded getaways, all boasting beautiful beaches with shady cool trees and clear waters.

Nasoha Spices and Herbs Paradise A few kilometres from Pagoh town in the district of Muar, lies the Nasoha Spices and Herbs Paradise. This 1,000ha spice and herb farm is home to hundreds of medicinal plants. There is also accommodation and a restaurant at the farm.

Shopping Johor is a delightful place to shop. There is an immense variety of goods and the state is noted for ceramics and handicrafts as well. Bazaars and open-air night markets are found throughout the city. The Johor Bahru Duty Free Zone is located at Johor Bahru's eastern waterfront area and is the largest duty free complex in Malaysia. It has a hotel and convention centre; and a five-level shopping podium. There are also ferry links to Singapore and Indonesia from here; and immigration and customs facilities.

Souvenir and handicraft stores and modern shopping complexes all offer a multitude of items at reasonable prices.

SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS

There are a few Singaporean centric seafood restaurants in Johor Bahru

1) New Lucky Restaurant

2) Kong Inn

3) King Crab

Yin's First Kuala Lumpur Trip 9th - 19th December 2007

Jalan Wong Ah Fook - Downtown Johor Bahru

Plenty of hotels are located along or within walking distance of Jalan Wong Ah Fook. Most conveniences concentrate around here, including banks, money-changers, convenience stores and City Square--the newest and arguably the best shopping complex in Johor Bahru. The Puteri Pan Pacific, the only deluxe property downtown, stands about 500 meters away from City Square. About a decade old, it operates well-maintained rooms, complemented by commendable service.

Compact Hotel Johor Bahru (Formerly known as Mercure Ace Hotel JB)
Down a notch, the newly-opened Mercure Ace Hotel, at the southern end of Jalan Wong Ah Fook, packs 109 rooms into a compact tower and scores on locality.

More affordable properties within the neighborhood include the two- and one-star Merlin Tower Hotel, Triumph Star Hotel and Hotel Gateway, and the budget-class Hotel J.B.

The historic Tropical Inn lies at the northern edge of downtown, its tall grayish facade being a highly visible landmark along the busy thoroughfare leading to the Causeway.

The main bus station in Kuala Lumpur is Puduraya on Jalan Pudu (near China Town). It's normally bustling and stifling. The host of amenities includes a post office, ATMs, luggage storage opens from 7:00am to 10:00pm, food court and tourist info.

Puduraya is the main hub from where buses spider outwards to the other cities. There are quite a few companies running different routes. To the uninitiated, it will appear confusing. Scout around till you find one suitable.

KL to Johor Bahru, 368km (221 miles)

JOHOR is the southern gateway into Peninsular Malaysia and is linked to Singapore by road and rail. Its Proximity to Singapore has made it a popular destination among Singaporeans as well as other international tourists visiting the island republic. It is the only state in the country that boast of a coastline stretching along the Straits of Malacca to the South China Sea. The state is endowed with an abundance of natural attractions that provide numerous opportunities for a wide range of outdoor recreational and leisure activities.

When in Johor Bahru, the capital of the state, take time off to tour the city or shop around.

Interesting spots are the Royal Museum,

1) the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque,

2) the Grand Palace,

3) the Johor Art Gallery,

3) the Mawar Handicraft Centre and

4) Dataran Bandaraya build in 1994 to commemorate Johor Bahru's declaration as a city .

The Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is regarded as one of the most beautiful mosques in Malaysia, with its amazing combination of Western neo-classical and Islamic architecture. 

This mosque can accommodate about 2,000 worshippers at any one time. The mosque is strategically located on top of a hill on Jalan Abu Bakar, overlooking the Straits of Tebrau.

Sultan Abu Bakar mosque was named after the late Sultan Abu Bakar, the "Father of Modern Johor", who laid the foundation stone in 1892. Construction of the mosque was completed in 1900, a few years after his death. Today, the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is listed as a protected heritage monument by the Department of Museums and Antiquities.

A walk into the building proves to be an experience by itself. Strong colonial influences scream out in the design and architectural details of this 2-storey building. True to Malay customs, shoes are prohibited in the main display area downstairs; therefore one is required to peruse the displays and paintings barefooted. The main display area greets the visitor with beautiful works of art by various talented Johor-born artists. From paintings to sculptures and many other mediums of artworks are displayed here. The undeniable shared pride among the artists here is their apparent love for Johor's rich, cultural heritage that is still very much alive today. Favorite topics of interest includes the kuda kepang, the ghazal, beautiful calligraphy pieces. Fishing scenes is also prevalent. Tranquil pictures of small fishing boats tied to poles along coastal areas, fisher-folks coming home from the sea with their daily bounties, and many other eye pleasing, soul soothing works of art.

The upper level also showcases many beautiful art pieces, such as two ancient wooden doors with ornate carvings hung on the walls as you are walking up to the second floor. One can't help but stop to gaze at the fine craftsmanship eternally embedded on these two doors. Walking along the upper floor, you can also take a glimpse of the lower floor from the middle section, as there is an open space area from upstairs where a beautiful low hanging chandelier casting a soft yellow hues throughout the entire room.

Accommodation costs in Johor Bahru are generally  cheaper than Kuala Lumpur, and a downright steal versus those in Singapore (whose Changi Airport lies no more than 45 minutes away by private transport on a congestion-free day).

Nearly every hotel falls within a five-kilometer radius of Jalan Wong Ah Fook, which makes getting around a painless affair, more so with the abundant number of taxis in service and a surprisingly efficient radio-booking network.

The most expensive standard double rooms find themselves within the Hyatt Regency and come with sweeping views of the Johor Straits and the Istana grounds. At the opposite end of the scale, numerous budget properties have sprung up in the singsong entertainment enclaves of Taman Pelangi and Taman Sentosa, where a basic air-conditioned room with shower costs MYR30 for a two-hour slot round the clock.

Johor Bahru embraces no less than half a dozen luxury-class hotels and numerous other inexpensive options for weekenders, vacationers on group tours, transit travelers and businesspersons. Seldom are hotel rooms in short supply, even during the peak of public holidays.
 

Northern Precincts around Istana Grounds

Traffic and bustle thin out along the narrow costal trunk road leading north-west, past the best of Johor Bahru's sights and spots, such as the Istana Garden, Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, Lido Beach and Dataran Bandaraya. Amidst the serenity and greenery stands the elegant Hyatt Regency, which remains a popular choice amongst holidaymakers, golfers and business types alike. Less privileged but no less romantic, the double-storey Straits View Hotel, though deserving of a major upgrade, sits on a small hill with commanding waterfront views. The two-star Hotel Rasa Sayang, another inexpensive and secluded contender in the vicinity, sits a stone's throw away from the Landmark Mall.

Along Jalan Stulang Laut

East of downtown, a popular eating area boasts a diverse array of food options and scenic views of landmarks in northern Singapore, such as the smoking Senoko Power Station. Two luxury-class accommodations reside at the beginning and end of the straits-front Jalan Stulang Laut--part-service apartment Grand BlueWave Hotel and the well-appointed Eden Garden Hotel, both comparatively new and pleasing in their own ways. Less expensive alternatives in this area include the Lion Hotel, the Merlin Inn and the basic lodge Malaya Hotel.

Suburban Options

A good variety of accommodation dots the suburban entertainment and shopping enclaves of Taman Century, Taman Sentosa and Taman Pelangi, all easily accessible via the Jalan Tebrau six-lane trunk road.

The Crowne Plaza and Crystal Crown Hotel top the range here, while Hotel Grand Continental, an older establishment, proves popular with sightseers on package tours. A myriad of cheaper lodgings proliferates down the scale--Hotel Surf Pacific, Cosy Inn and Tebrau Hotel, to name just three. For proximity to the Larkin central bus terminal, Seri Malaysia Hotel, a member of a local budget chain, stands out.