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Just over the causeway from Singapore, Johor Bahru or “JB” as it has
come to be known has become a very popular entry point for visitors
coming to Malaysia. The end point on the southern end of the north-south
highway, Johor Bahru offers a pretty good day trip venue for people
coming from Singapore or as a stop over for some shopping and a bit of
sight-seeing en route to other Malaysian destinations.
JB boasts of a number of landmarks and opportunities for cultural
exploration
The "Ghazal" music, which is unique to Johor, is usually performed
during cultural shows and weddings. Another famous performance
distinctly Johorean is the "Kuda Kepang" dance, which is spun from tales
of Islamic heroes. Dancers imitate the movement of horses to the music
of a traditional orchestra.
 Shopping opportunities also abound in JB. Modern malls, arcades,
handicraft centers, bazaars and markets offering international and local
products all vie for attention. Local craftwork is sure to catch the eye
and they do make lovely souvenirs of a trip here. Furthermore, there is
the JB Duty Free Complex located at the JB International Ferry Terminal.
Known as "ZON", it is a large duty free department store and supermarket
encompassing 163 retail outlets, a giant market, and 30,000 feet of
shopping area. The complex offers a variety of goods such as branded
designer wear from London, Paris, New York and the likes. Glassware,
sweets, and other items are also offered.
Another interesting side of JB can be experienced when night falls over
the city. A sumptuous array of food stalls and vendors populate the
streets. Adventurous tourists delight in trying out the taste of popular
local dishes such as the famous Laksa Johor, flake fish and gravy dish
cooked with coconut milk and served with noodles and vegetables.
Major Attractions Include:
Pulai Waterfall
Located at the Gunung Pulai Recreational Forest, the waterfalls stand at
700 meters in height and offers great swimming opportunities after a
hike through the 8-hectare forest reserve.
City Square (Dataran Bandaraya)
Dataran Bandaraya has been the spot for many important events in Johor
Bahru since 1994. The landmark clock tower here was built to commemorate
the proclamation of Johor Bahru as a city in January 1994.
Grand Palace Park (Istana Besar)
Once used as the Sultan’s palace, the Istana Besar is no longer used as
a "Palace" except for ceremonial functions such as Investiture
Ceremonies. It is now the Royal Abu Bakar Museum, displaying treasures
of the royal collection from the days of Sultan Abu Bakar.
Pasar Malam (weekly flea market)
 A distinctive feature of the Malaysian shopping landscape, the pasar
malam has become something like a weekly routine of grocery buying and
leisure outing among the population. The pasar malam is best described
as mobile mega-markets, where street hawkers sell everything from
household items to food and pirated video CDs on most evenings.
Johor Old Chinese Temple
Flanked by modern skyscrapers, this temple is one of the oldest
structures in Johor Bahru. Built in the late 19th century by a group of
Chinese community leaders led by Tan Hiok Nee, the temple is one of the
buildings in Malaysia where the cultural aura remains palpable.
Important relics such as the century-old bronze bell, joss stick pot and
wooden tablet remain.
The temple plays host to the five main Chinese gods of the Hainanese,
Cantonese, Hakka, Hokkien and Teochew dialect groups.
Masjid Sultan Abu Bakar
Officially opened by the late Sultan Ibrahim in 1890, this mosque is
considered one of the finest in Malaysia. It took 8 years to complete at
a cost of RM400,000 finishing in the 1900’s. Its architectural design
and hilltop setting with sweeping views of the Straits of Johor make
this mosque a famed landmark.
State Secretariat Building
The building was built in 1940 and is located on a hill called Bukit
Timbalan. Its columns and pillars are designs of Saracenic architecture.
Visitors may find the Grand Hall particularly interesting. The whole
building covers 11 floors above the ground and it houses 46 government
offices and departments.
Lido Beach
 Stretching over 7km, this stretch of beach at Johor Bahru affords
visitors lazy afternoons of canoeing, sailing, cruising and swimming.
Getting There & Moving Around
By Air: Regulars flights from Johor Bahru's Senai Airport connects the
state capital with Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, Kuching, and Kuala Lumpur.
By Road: Taxis are a popular and cheap mode of transportation. All urban
taxis are fitted with meters. An additional 50% is charged between the
hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. It is also possible to hire an outstation
taxi on a shared or individual basis to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Kuantan, and Kota Bahru. Johor Bahru is also well served by express
buses offering comfortable rides at reasonable fares from all major
cities and towns in Peninsular Malaysia.
By Rail: Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) offers numerous train services
connecting Singapore and other states through the Johor Bahru Railway
Station.
By Sea: A ferry link provides a new way to travel between Singapore and
Malaysia. It operates daily between Changi Point near the Singapore
International Airport and Tanjung Belungkor in Johor.
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