Johor Bahru is a major tourist center of Malaysia
Johor Bahru ("Johor Baru" or "Johore Baharu", very often abbreviated as "JB") is a large city and the capital of the state of Johor in the south of the Malaysian peninsula, near Singapore. Noisy and not too interesting for casual tourists, the city is an important transport and industrial center Malaysia. Johor Bahru is rightly called the southern gate of Malaysia, it receives about 60% of foreign tourists (almost all of them are from Singapore). The city serves as a place of recreation and shopping for residents of the neighboring "city-state" due to the relatively low cost of goods and services.
Short description
Johor Bahru is one of the fastest growing industrial cities in Malaysia. Many of the major electronics manufacturers in the world have at least one factory in this city. According to the latest census, it is the second largest city and metropolitan area in Malaysia with a population of 1.4 million and 1.8 million, respectively.
Johor Bahru is better known as an industrial rather than a tourist city. However, approximately 60% of the 22 million foreign tourists who visit Malaysia annually come to Johor Bahru. Thanks to the dam built back in 1924, which connected Singapore and Malaysia, the city has become a popular destination for residents of the world-famous island.
Johor Bahru is less orderly and much dirtier than neighboring Singapore, but cheap shopping complexes and shops, cafes and restaurants serve as the main attraction of this city in the eyes of the inhabitants of neighboring Singapore. In addition, it is a transit point on the way to more interesting and attractive places, primarily the city of Malacca and the beaches of Tioman Island.
How to get there
How to get to Johor Bahru from Malaysia and Singaporein the article How to get to Johor Bahru
Map
Orientation
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city bus(formerly known as Transit Link) is one of the major local bus operators in Johor Bahru. Their services practically cover the entire Johor Bahru. City Bus routes can be viewed at this link Maju Bus is one of the bus operators of Johor Bahru. Maju Bus is also one of the major bus carriers in Malaysia. Their buses run on many routes to other cities in Malaysia. City Bus routes can be viewed at this link S&S bus. Buses S & S bus cover part of the main routes of the city. S & S bus routes can be viewed at this link GML LINE is one of the smaller local bus operators in Johor Bahru. GML LINE bus routes can be viewed at this link Triton. Triton bus routes can be viewed at this link Taxi. Johor Bahru has a red taxi ("Budget taxi", serve routes around the city) and a blue taxi ("Executive taxi", travel within and outside the city). The main taxi station, where trips are booked to cities remote from Johor Bahru, is located at the Larkin bus terminal. Since January 2010, taxi drivers are required by law to use their meters and issue a receipt upon request. If the driver has a meter and does not turn it on, remind him of this. Drivers often hide the meter by covering its face with newspaper or something else. If you get into a taxi, allegedly not equipped with a meter, it is better to get out of such a car, because the driver will definitely try to overestimate the fare. Look for another taxi or insist that the driver use the meter and stop playing. The original fare for red taxis (Budget taxi) is now RM3 for the first 2 km, the cost increases by 10 sen for each subsequent 115 m. You will only be charged for waiting more than 3 minutes during the trip - the cost is 10 sen for each 21 seconds. Additional charges include road tolls, RM2 per phone order and a 50% surcharge from 24:00 to 06:00. Fares for blue taxis (Executive taxi) are twice as expensive. What to see Royal Palace Museum of Sultan Abu Bakar(Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Palace Museum), also known as Grand Palace(Istana Besar). This luxurious residence of the Sultan of Johor is considered the main attraction of the city. Botanical Garden Zaharah ("Zaharah Botanical Garden" in English or "Kebun Bunga Zaharah" in Malay) is located about 300 m northwest of the palace museum complex. Palace complex built by local craftsmen under the guidance of a European architect in 1866. The furniture of the palace was made in England by order of Sultan Abu Bakar in the same 1866. The museum consists of 4 parts: Dewan, Throne Hall, Treasure Hall and Hunter's Hall. Dewan displays a collection of items donated to Sultan Abu Bakar and his successors, such as swords, medals, glassware, as well as personal memorabilia, photographs of the sultans and their families, etc. Stuffed animals (tigers, crocodiles, rhinos, elephants), elephant tusks, antelope leg ashtrays, etc. are exhibited in the Hunting Hall. In the central building on the second floor (you must take off your shoes) are the royal bedrooms, the royal dining room, the Royal Council Chamber, the Throne Room (has a pair of gilded thrones), the library, etc. On the first floor of the central building, crystal, gold and silver jewelry, royal regalia, Malay weapons, a numismatic collection, etc. are displayed. Arulmigu Shri Rajakaliamman Hindu Temple(Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Hindu Temple). This is the first glass temple in Malaysia (and in the world). Built in 1922, the Hindu temple began to be covered with glass elements in 2008 and completed in October 2009. May 12, 2010 included in the Malaysian Book of Records as the first and only glass temple in the country. The temple is 90% decorated with a mosaic of 500,000 pieces of red, blue, yellow, green, purple and white glass. The temple is open for believers from 07:00 to 22:00, for tourists from 13:00 to 17:00, closed on Monday. Each visitor must take off their shoes and leave their shoes in a special basket for the duration of the visit to the temple. Address: No.22 Lorong Satu | Jalan Tebrau, Johor Bahru. Old Chinese Temple Johor Bahru(Johor Old Chinese Temple). Built in the 1870s by Chinese migrants, the temple is one of the oldest historical buildings Johor Bahru. Serves as a symbol of the unity of communities speaking 5 dialects of the Chinese language: "Teochew", "Hoklo (Hokkien)", "Cantonese", "Hakka" and "Hainan". Unlike many chinese temples belonging to one clan, it belongs to them all. It is most interesting to visit the temple on the eve of the Chinese New Year and from the 20th to the 23rd of the first month after the Chinese New Year. Every year on the first lunar month between the 20th and 23rd, the temple organizes an annual "Parade of the Deities" (Chingay parade). The culmination of the parade on the night of the 3rd day, when 5 deities parade through the center of the city. Just go outside and watch the colorful street performances accompanied by lion and dragon dances. The "Parade of Deities" attracts over 300,000 people parading through the central streets of Johor Bahru. Opening hours: daily 07:30-17:30. Address: Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru. Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque("Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque" in English, "Masjid Negeri Sultan Abu Bakar" in Malay). The mosque is located on the top of a small hill overlooking the Johor Strait, was built over eight years (1892-1900) and is considered one of the most beautiful temples in Malaysia. It is a combination of Moorish and Victorian architecture, the temple's four minarets are reminiscent of British clock towers. Visiting hours: 10:00 - 18:00 from Sat - Thu. Although non-Muslims are not allowed inside, visitors can wander around the area around the mosque and take some photos. As a sign of respect for Islamic tradition, observe the dress code (long trousers for men, headscarf for women). To get from the city center, take any of the buses bound for Bukit Indah, Kulai, Selesa Jaya. Bus stop near City Square Mall on Jalan Wong Ah Fook or from the train station on Jalan Tun Abdul Razak. If you decide to visit the mosque, you can visit the city zoo, as they are within walking distance from each other. Address: The mosque is located on Jalan Masjid Abu Bakar Street. Sultan Ibrahim building(Sultan Ibrahim Building). Built between 1936 and 1940, the Sultan Ibrahim Building was the most tall building Malaysia during British colonial rule. In Johor Bahru, it retained the status of the tallest building until the completion of the Merlin Tower in the 1970s. Until June 2009, it was used as the administrative offices of the Secretariat of State, Office of the Prime Minister, Hall legislative assembly state. As of June 18, 2009, most of these offices have moved to Kota Iskandar, the new capital of Johor State. There is no entry fee. From here, you can look out over the Strait of Johor and the distant skyline of Singapore. Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 08:00-12:45, 14:00-17:00; Friday from 09:00 to 12:15, 14:45-17:00; closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Address: Jalan Bukit Timbalan, Johor Bahru. Jalan Wong Ah Fook- one of the main streets in Johor Bahru. The street was named after Wong Ah Fook, a prominent Chinese businessman who was involved in the founding of the city of Johor Bahru in 1855 and who had close ties to the Sultan of Johor. This is a very busy street, about 1-1.5 km long, where you can find almost everything from hairdressers, street food and massage parlors to hotels and travel agencies. Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception(Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception). The beige building with one spire is the main Catholic temple of Johor Bahru. Built in 1883, it is one of the oldest historical buildings in the city. Try to get here during the Tamil New Year celebrations (Pongal) in mid-January, when the harvest festival is celebrated here. Address: 9 Jalan Gereja, Johor Bahru. City recreation park("Recreational Park City Forest" in English and "Taman Rekreasi Hutan Bandar" in Malay). The recreation park with an area of 13 hectares is located in close proximity to the city center (only 3 km from the checkpoint). The park has seven lakes surrounded by rainforest, fountain, trails for running and walking with wooden bridges and platforms, children's playground, outdoor swimming pool (open from Friday to Sunday only). Various traditional wooden Malay houses from every state of Malaysia are the main attraction of this park. There is an Orchid Park with various types of these beautiful plants. Parking for cars is only near the entrance to the park from Jalan Tasek Utara street, there are restaurants and bars near the parking lot. Address: Jalan Tasek Utara, Johor Bahru (1.5 km southeast of Larkin Bus Terminal). Johor Bahru Zoo(Johor Bahru Zoo). One of the oldest zoos in Malaysia, founded by Sultan Ibrahim in 1928 as a private menagerie of the royal family. In 1962, the menagerie was turned into a zoo. It is quite small, does not have many animals and does not cause much enthusiasm among local residents and tourists. It is easy to see it in one hour, and after an hour and a half you will be frankly bored. The zoo has a small lake where you can rent boats, as well as a children's playground. It is interesting to watch the bird show and animal feeding. To get from the city center, take any of the buses bound for Taman Bukit Indah, Kulai, Selesa Jaya. The city center stop is opposite the City Square mall on Jalan Wong Ah Fook or in front of the old railway station on Jalan Tun Abdul Razak Street. Opening hours: daily 09:00-18:00. Address: Jalan Gertak Merah, Johor Bahru (Across the road from Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque). Danga Bay("Danga Bay" in English and "Teluk Danga" in Malay) is the largest amusement park in the city of Johor Bahru. It is located about 7 km from the city center. The city authorities embodied here a number of their major projects, including a new financial and commercial center, hotels, exhibition halls and conference centers, a marina, high-end residential residences, and recreational facilities. Danga Bay has a high concentration of retail outlets and fashionable restaurants. There are two types of cruises in Danga Bay for vacationers: Cruise on a speedboat (Speedboat Cruise). Departure daily every hour, duration 20-25 min, departure from the pier next to the Marina Club building to the Johor-Singapore Dam Bridge (Causeway) and back. Interesting sights of Danga Bay: Danga Children's Zoo(Danga World Petting Zoo). Animal show at 20:30 and 22:00. 10 ringgit for adults and 5 ringgit for children, which is not cheap, considering that this zoo is significantly smaller than the Zoo in the city center. Video filming is not allowed. Open daily 15:00 - 24:00. Danga World Amusement Park(Danga World Theme Park). Theme park for kids. Among the 20 attractions are a pirate ship, tea cups, a 2-level carousel, a Ferris wheel, a flying elephant. Opening hours: 15:00-24:00. Rumah LIMAS. Eight districts of the state of Johor are represented by traditional wooden Malay houses ("Rumah" in Malay means "house"). All houses are located on the edge of the Skudai Highway. On the territory of the village there are cultural shows, presented traditional cuisine Johor, there is an orchid garden, traditional massage and spa treatments, a gift shop, an exhibition of Malay arts and crafts, a demonstration of traditional Malay games. Tram ride(Tram ride). You can take the tourist tram from Danga Convention Center to Festive Street Mall and back. Festive Street Mall is a large number of individual outlets and small stalls along the street, selling a wide range of goods. It just looks like one big Pasar Malam ( night market). To get to Danga Bay from the city center, take any of the buses that go to Bukit Indah, Kulai, Selesa Jaya. The city center stop is located in front of the City Square mall on Jalan Wong Ah Fook or in front of the train station on Jalan Tun Abdul Razak. If you want to go on foot from the city center, this is also possible, just follow the footpath along the coast, it is impossible to go astray. Top attractions near Johor Bahru How to get there. Use Causeway Link buses. Several bus routes: 1) a bus called LM1 (formerly called LG1) runs along the route: JB Sentral train station - Larkin Sentral bus terminal - Hello Kitty Town - theme park Legoland is the city of Gelang Patah. First bus: 08:00, last bus: 18:30, interval: every hour and a half. 2) There are two Causeway Link buses from Senai Airport to the Kotaraya 2 terminal: SA1 and SA2. From there, it is a 5-minute walk to the JB Sentral train station to transfer to the bus of the first route described above. Pulau Kukup- one of the largest uninhabited mangrove islands in the world. It is located at a distance of 1 km from the fishing village of Kukup in the southwestern region of the state of Johor. The area is 6.472 km², the coastline of the island is heavily silted in some places. Numerous attempts to settle on this island were unsuccessful. Instead, Pulau Kukup is inhabited by many species of wildlife, including playful monkeys, mudskippers and wild boars. In the 1990s, scientists first drew attention to the island's biodiversity and unique ecological characteristics. In the interests of conservation unique environment habitat, Pulau Kukup was declared a national park on March 27, 1997. In January 2003, the island was granted Wetland of International Importance (RAMSAR) status. The trip from Johor Bahru, visiting Pulau Kukup and returning back usually takes a whole day. It will take you about an hour to drive from Johor Bahru to the city of Pontian Kechil, the administrative center of the Pontian district. Maju Bus No. 96 runs to Pontian Kecil every 15 - 30 minutes (06:30 - 22:00) from the Larkin Terminal bus terminal in Johor Bahru. From Pontian Kecil to the village of Kukup 20 km, to get there, you need to take a taxi. A rather slow road passes through plantations and Malay villages (kampungs). Upon arrival in Kukup, proceed to the jetty where you will board the boat and sail to the island, sailing takes a few minutes. Upon arrival on the island, you will see a lot of birds - storks, herons, white-bellied eagles. There is a boardwalk trail into the mangroves about 2 km long and a suspension bridge across the river. See monkeys, huge mudskippers, several types of crabs and snails, and if you're lucky, wild boars. At the far end is lookout tower to climb up and see the panorama of the entire island. It is also possible to take a boat ride on the river on this island. On the way back to the mainland, the boat usually stops at one of the fish farms, and a visit to Kukup is not complete without lunch at one of the stilt seafood restaurants. Museums Chinese Cultural Heritage Museum(Chinese Heritage Museum). The museum illustrates the arrival of the first Chinese settlers in Johor Bahru, their work in the tin mines and rubber plantations, the founding of triads, clans and eventually Chinese communities (Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hainanese and Hakka), the history of British colonial rule and the period war with Japan. Here are exhibits that once belonged to the early Chinese settlers, musical instruments, photographs, documents, etc. The top floor is dedicated to the life and work of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen (1866-1925), who is considered the father of Republican China. This great revolutionary visited Johor Bahru several times calling for the overthrow of the Manchu ruler of the Qing Dynasty. The museum details the struggles of the revolutionaries from Malaysia (and Singapore) who contributed to the overthrow of the Manchu regime in 1911. The entrance to the four-story museum building is accessible from Jalan Ibrahim and Jalan Tan Hiok Nee streets. Open daily from 09:00 to 17:00 except Mondays. Address: 42 Jalan Ibrahim, Johor Bahru. Johor Bahru Art Gallery(Johor Bahru Art Gallery). The gallery is housed in an old colonial-style building and has an extensive collection of Malay art, from paintings and sculptures to ceramics and traditional weapons, clothing, and more. The works presented here reflect the special place of the state of Johor in the culture of Malaysia. Opening hours: daily except public holidays 09:00-16:30, admission is free, address: 144 Jalan Petrie, Johor Bahru. Kwong Siew Johor Bahru Cultural Heritage Gallery(Johor Bahru Kwong Siew Heritage Gallery). Once here was the headquarters of the Kwong Sue clan community, founded in 1878 by the influential Chinese businessman Wong Fook Ah. The museum displays weapons used in Chinese martial arts, costumes and other paraphernalia necessary for the lion dance, old Chinese musical instruments, jewelry, opium pipes, Chinese chess, Malay banknotes and coins, old typewriters, crockery, teapots, equipment for collecting rubber, other. The museum details the biographies of former and current leaders of the Kwong Sue clan society. Open: 09:00 - 17:00 from Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Mondays. Photography is not allowed inside. Address: 24 Jalan Siu Nam, Johor Bahru. shopping Johor Bahru has many shopping malls catering to tourists from Singapore. Residents of this country visit the city for shopping, entertainment and dining at restaurants, taking advantage of the strong Singapore dollar compared to the Malaysian currency. Therefore retailing in Johor Bahru is highly developed for a city of this size. There is not much variety, but prices are lower compared to shopping centers in Singapore. Holiday Plaza. About five kilometers north of the center of Johor Bahru is the Holiday Plaza shopping center. It includes about 440 fashion stores, electrical goods, cosmetics, toys, household goods, mobile phones and accessories, many massage parlors, traditional Chinese medicine pharmacies. General rule: the higher the floor (only 4 floors), the cheaper the goods sold. Considered Johor Bahru's premier mall since its opening, many new malls have opened since then, and Holiday Plaza is now pretty worn out and in need of a major overhaul. You can only eat at fast food restaurants, there are no restaurants. The Maju IM17 bus runs between Holiday Plaza (Terminus) and City Square Mall on Jalan Wong Ah Fook in the city center. Address: Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Johor Baharu. city square. This mall has become well known, probably due to its location next to the train station (JB Sentral) in the city center. Due in part to its proximity to the Johor-Singapore Causeway Bridge, City Square attracts many shoppers from Singapore (a 5-minute walk from Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex, "CIQ" for short). On this moment, this is one of the best malls in Johor Bahru, although not the biggest one. Pedestrian bridge connecting the mall to the JB Sentral train station, which in turn is connected to the CIQ by a footbridge. It has 270 outlets, a cinema, food court, free Wi-Fi internet in all public places. The night market (Pasar Malam) in the surrounding streets is open on weekday evenings. Open daily from 10:00 to 22:00. Address: 106-108 Jalan Wong Ah Fook, website www.citysqjb.com KSL City Mall. This largest mall in Johor Bahru impresses with its size even by Singapore standards. Opened in December 2010, the 4-storey shopping center is part of an office, residential, hotel and retail complex. It has 350 retail outlets, including 70 restaurants and bars, a multiplex cinema. A distinctive feature of the shopping center, perhaps, is the abundance of catering points. Cafes and restaurants not only on the lower floors, but the upper ones also have many eateries and stalls with sweets and desserts. The Maju IM17 bus on the Holiday Plaza - City Square route makes a stop near KSL City. The Causeway Link S1 bus runs between City Square and KSL City every 20 minutes in both directions from 08:30 to 23:00. Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 22:00, address: 33 Jalan Seladang | Taman Abad, Johor Bahru, site www.kslcity.com.my Danga City Mall. In addition to shops, shopping complex includes about 20 restaurants and bars, supermarket, fitness center, spa center, bowling center, archery center, paintball in a large indoor area. Free parking in a huge open car park. Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 22:00, address: L4-20, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak Susur 1, Johor Bahru, website http://dangacitymall.com ZON. ZON shopping complex is located 2 km north of the Johor-Singapore Dam Bridge. The same building houses the ZON Mall, the 5-story ZON Department Store, and the 503-room Berjaya Waterfront Hotel (formerly ZON Regency Hotel by the Sea). In the basement there is a supermarket and a food court. There is also a conference hall, a floating restaurant and a popular night club. The shopping center has several duty-free outlets (alcohol, tobacco, chocolate). How to get there: Buses Transit Link 123/S, Maju 10, Causeway Link CT1 from the bus stop near the JB Sentral Station on Jalan Jim Quee or from the bus stop in front of City Square Mall on Jalan Wong Ah Fook. The complex is open from 10:00 to 20:00. Address: 88, Jalan Ibrahim Sultan, Johor Bahru. Night market(Pasar Malam). Night markets are not tied to one place and gather in different parts of the city on different days of the week. They start working at 18:00 and last until about 24:00. The night market is one of the best places to try a huge variety local cuisine. On Mondays, the night market gathers near the Holiday Plaza shopping center, and on Tuesday it takes place in Taman Pelangi. Spa centers Spa Manja. Various types of massages (foot, shoulder, Javanese massage, body care using local herbs) and other rejuvenating and therapeutic treatments. Two branches in Johor Bahru, one at the Zon Regency Hotel and the other on Jalan Dato Sulaiman Street (opposite the Mutiara Hotel). Opening hours 11:00-23:00, the addresses of the spa branches are listed below: 162 Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Century Garden, Johor Bahru. Walea Spa & Retreat, address: 6 Jalan Balau | Taman Melodies, Johor Bahru. Where to eat street food Johor Bahru has a large number of food courts or places with a wide selection of street food ("Pusat Penjaja" in Malay). At these Pusat Penjajas, street vendors sell cheap food and drinks on carts, pickups, kiosks and caravans. "Pusat Penjaja" are scattered throughout the city, the most popular of them are described below. Tepian Tebrau. stalls under open sky prepare popular dishes of Malaysian cuisine. It is famous for its seafood, especially grilled fish (ikan bakar). Shops are open from 12:00 to 17:00 daily. Most of them open after 15:00 - 21:00 and until midnight. Address: Jalan Abu Bakar | Selat Johor Area (about 3.5 km west of the Johor-Singapore Dam Bridge). Medan Steamboat Luton Van Dataran Bandaraya. Street food is sold from truck vans, specializing in "steamboat" (pieces of meat, seafood or vegetables on wooden skewers are boiled in boiling water). Opening hours: as a rule, from 18:00 - 02:00 daily. It is located along Jalan Lingkaran Dalam Street next to the central square of the city (Dataran Bandaraya), where a tall yellow clock tower rises. Medan Celera Meldrum. Dozens of food and beverage outlets on carts specializing in Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine. Trays are open after 13:00. Located on Jalan Meldrum street. Pusat Penjaja Jalan Perang Taman Pelangi. About 20 carts of street food. Located on Jalan Perang Street, next to the mosque and 300-400 meters south of the Pelangi Leisure Mall. Popular cafes and restaurants Chez Papa. This is one of the best restaurants french cuisine in Johor Bahru. Chef and owner Dominik Müller is from French Nice, at one time worked in many places around the world, including fashionable establishments in Singapore and London. The small restaurant has a lot of pictures on the walls, friendly service, good place for a romantic dinner. Address: 38/40 Jalan Jaya, Johor Bahru, website www.chezpapa.com.my Village Briyani Cafe. The restaurant specializes in North Indian cuisine. The chef is from India, all ingredients and spices are also imported from India. A wide selection of dishes cooked in a tandoori oven. The restaurant's signature dish is biryani (a dish of rice, meat, fish, eggs or vegetables, with the addition of spices). Inside the restaurant is nicely decorated with the opportunity to watch the chefs prepare the order in the open kitchen. The food is excellent, we can safely say that this is one of the best Indian restaurants in the city. Often crowded on weekends, it is advisable to book tables in advance. Opening hours: every day 12:00-15:00 and 18:00-22:30. Address: 15 Jalan Tun Abdul Razak 1/1, Johor Bahru. Grill Bar. This is one of the best European restaurants in Johor Bahru. The owner of the establishment is an avid biker, so the restaurant is motorcycle-themed, there are many photos of motorcycles on the walls. The Grill Bar looks like an ordinary bar from the outside, but the atmosphere is cozy, the service is excellent and the food is beyond praise. The restaurant specializes in meat dishes (steakhouse). The Grill Bar is full almost every day, you will be very lucky if you get a free table from 18:00 to 20:00. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 17:30 - 22:30, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 - 22:30, closed on Tuesdays. Address: 202 Jalan Sri Pelangi, Johor Bahru. Chakra. Another popular Indian restaurant. The former living space has been converted into a restaurant and now consists of several small dining rooms. Address: 1 Jalan Yusof Taha, Johor Bahru. Gianni's Trattoria. This is a famous Italian restaurant in Johor Bahru. Customer service and food quality is very high, good selection of wines and other drinks. Address: 110, Jalan Serampang, Johor Bahru. Nijyumaru. Considered one of the best Japanese restaurants in Johor Bahru. And one of the few restaurants with high quality cuisine for the price, allowing many to dine in it. There are two branches in Johor Bahru. One is in Permas Jaya and the other is in Sutera mall. Reserve a table in advance, as the establishment is always full of customers. Address: no. 24, Jalan Permas 10/5, | Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru Peking Restaurant. Pekin - The largest and quite famous chain of restaurants in Johor Bahru. The signature dish of this establishment is Peking duck, one of the most famous dishes of Chinese cuisine. The duck is baked in a special oven in such a way that the meat remains tender and the skin is crispy. In addition to Peking duck, the institution is famous for its seafood dishes: crabs, lobsters, shrimp, fish, etc. Opening hours: every day 11:00 - 23:00. The site, unfortunately, is in Chinese, but the addresses of the restaurants are in English, they can be viewed at this link Infusion Cafe&Restaurant. This huge cafe-restaurant can accommodate approximately 600 guests. It is part of the luxurious KSL Resort, located in the large shopping center KSL City in the city center, next to the Johor-Singapore dam bridge. The restaurant specializes in Chinese, Malay and European cuisine. Opening hours: around the clock. On Friday and Saturday from 18:30 to 22:30 buffet dinner. Address: 33, Jalan Seladang, Johor Bahru, site www.kslresorts.com.my meisan. One of the best if not the best Chinese restaurant in town. The upscale restaurant is furnished with classic Chinese furniture. The restaurant's signature dish is Peking duck. Located on the second floor of the Mutiara Hotel. Address: Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Johor Bahru. Grand Straits Garden Seafood Restaurants. This famous restaurant in Johor Bahru specializes in seafood. There are over 100 seafood dishes on the menu, as well as many Chinese dishes, Hong Kong dim sum, all prepared according to the personal wishes of customers. On weekends it is always filled with visitors, the waiters simply do not have time to pay attention to everyone and the service is delayed. Beautiful decoration, garden from the side of the street. The main halls of the restaurant (the so-called "Ballrooms") can accommodate up to 1000 guests. Address: No.3, Jalan Persiaran Danga, Kawasan Danga Bay, Johor Bahru, website www.grandstraitsgarden.com Maio Restaurant. The Maio Restaurant is part of the M Hotel Suites Hotel and specializes in Italian cuisine. The restaurant has an interesting layout: one wall is completely glass and offers a view of the hill covered with tropical plants. The panorama, it should be noted, is magnificent. Opening hours: daily from 10:30 to 23:30, closed on Mondays. Address: 16 Jalan Skudai, Johor Bahru, website www.m-suites.com Accommodation |
Johor Bahru is the second largest city in Malaysia and the most Southern City continent of Eurasia. And although on the neighboring island-state of Singapore there is a specially decorated place with a large inscription "The southernmost point of Eurasia" - this is not true. The southernmost point is located just east of the bridge connecting Singapore to the continent, and is located in Johor Bahru.
The city itself is small and lives now for the most part due to the fact that the most successful and richest city in Asia, Singapore, is located nearby. When that is small settlement belonged to the Sultan of Johor until he ceded Singapore to an English bespectacled man named Raffles. The founding father of the port, Sir Stamford Raffles, is very revered in Singapore, streets, hotels, schools bear his name, but for some reason he is not mentioned at all in neighboring Johor Bahru Europeans, the rafflesia flower is the largest and most unusual flower of the rain equatorial jungle. The friend soon died, and the flower began to be named after Raffles, without mentioning the second brave explorer. This is such an injustice.
1 kilometer wide strait between JB (JB) - as the locals call Johor Bahru and Singapore. The multi-lane highway is always full of buses, cars and motorcycles. Many Malays live in JB and commute to work in Singapore, Friday nights and other peak hours can be stuck in traffic for quite some time.
After Singapore, after going through passport control and going outside, you immediately see the difference in living standards between the two states. And although Malaysia is the most prosperous country in Southeast Asia, and Johor Bahru is its most dynamically developing city, they were not even close. 
But the inhabitants of Jabi seem to me more friendly and smiling, many nationalities come here to earn money, Indian and Chinese communities have flourished since time immemorial, people from Borneo and Sumatra are often found. 
Due to the influx of poorly educated and low-income segments of the population, the crime rate in Johor Bahru is quite high, after dark you almost never meet “white” tourists, there are very few of them in general, sometimes you come across these: 
For there is almost nothing to see in the city. A mosque, a fortress, a few temples - in general, nothing outstanding. Tourists come here mainly from Kuala Lumpur, so that they can then immediately cross to Singapore, or, conversely, from Singapore to continue their journey through Malaysia. Singaporeans themselves attend JB on the day off - to have cheaper shopping or have fun in karaoke bars with girls or ladyboys (again, cheaper than in Singapore). Immediately after the huge border and customs complex, a large cereal area begins, which adjoins city-square - dozens of chip hotels, bars, shops, life on the streets does not stop for a minute - street cafes are open around the clock. There are also several high-rise buildings right there, but they look somehow out of place and unkempt. The underground trade in Viagra and other pharmaceutical achievements is flourishing:
If you want to go from Singapore to the nearest Malaysian "resorts" Dezaru and the islands of the Pahang reserve (Tioman, Rawa, Ayur and Cebu), then you can not miss Johor Bahru. His bus station called Larkin and the cost of a two-hour trip to the above points will be no more than 6 USD. Taxi will cost 50. 
The second most popular place in JB is the area east of the border checkpoint, there is an interesting place called "duty free", you can buy alcohol and cigarettes at Duty free prices, but, as your own experience has shown, you can only take it out by paying a tax that negates all costs and efforts. Either drink on the spot or return it back :) 
There are also many dental clinics in ZhB, who cannot pay several thousand dollars for dental treatment in Singapore - comes here 
You can stay on a budget, but purely for 70-100 ringit (20-30 USD). On the ceilings in some hotels, we noticed mysterious arrows with the inscription "kiblat", in every other room or hotel they were directed in different directions and pointed to something incomprehensible. The version with a fire exit was not confirmed by the absence of one.
Then it dawned on me: this is the direction to Mecca. Malaysians are Muslims. Loudspeakers from mosques begin to work early in the morning - if you have a light sleep, you have a chance of not getting enough sleep. No religious prejudice is felt, although I read in some guidebook in Russian that in no case should one talk about religion here. Don't know. A Malaysian friend enthusiastically showed me photographs of his hajj to Mecca, and our conversation had no visible tension. Once we had the opportunity to visit the apartment of a simple Malaysian couple. The guy rents an apartment in a high-rise building, but he goes to work in Singapore. Gel-friend is also working. Abdul and Sha. It was interesting to see their home. I liked the large aquarium with fish, which the girl carefully looks after: 
Their daily life is not much different from the life of similar couples, say in Novosibirsk. Is that. that they live in Johor Bahru :)
Residents of the city and "guests of the capital" are very reckless, on the sidewalks you can participate in several types of divorces 
There are McDonalds and pizza huts, but the vast majority of spicy Malay, Indian and Chinese food 
Being 150 kilometers from the equator, Johor Bahru boasts an equatorial climate :) On any day, the bright sun can shine or it can rain torrentially. A little more rain in December-January, a little less in June-July. 
We usually stop a block away from this Indian temple, on the wall of which a very touching sculptural installation was discovered:
There are many Indian shops around, you can buy incense for example: 
And in this restaurant for 17-20 ringit you can eat a delicious stingray baked in garlic on a bamboo leaf. The picture was taken well past midnight. when the elite public has already resolved:
We love this city very much. WELLCOME TO JB!)) 
Johor Bahru is located in the south of Malaysia, it is part of the Johor Sultanate and its capital. This is a fairly large city, the second largest in Malaysia. Johor Bahru has the status of a commercial, industrial, cultural and tourist center. The population of the city is slightly more than half a million people. The city is located at a distance of 368 kilometers from the capital -.
How to get to Johor Bahru.
How to get there? Senai airport International Airport located at a distance of 35 kilometers from the city. It is an international airport, but it only serves flights from neighboring Asian countries and domestic flights within the country. From the airport it is easy to get to Johor Bahru by bus, they go here regularly. Travel time is from 45 minutes to an hour and a half. It depends on the type of bus. By taxi you can get there in 30-35 minutes, but it will cost much more. Johor Bahru is a large city, so getting to it from other cities in the country is easy. It's enough big cities Buses run there daily. You can also get by train from. And, of course, the easiest way to get here is from. Just enough to cross the bridge. If you look at the city from a sufficient height, you may not immediately understand that this is a separate city. A lot of citizens work in Singapore. Therefore, in the morning there is a lot of excitement at the border, perhaps even more than in the Moscow metro during rush hours. There is also a ferry service to Singapore.
Landmarks of Johor Bahru.
The city itself has a unique architectural appearance. Here, modern buildings of shopping centers harmoniously coexist with fabulous oriental buildings, ancient Buddhist temples and no less ancient Muslim mosques. The birth of this unique city dates back to 1855. Once it was fishing village. The city was founded during the reign of Abu Bakar's father, perhaps the most famous Malay sultan. Now it is a modern metropolis with a multinational population.
Perhaps the main attraction of the city is the mosque, named after the famous Sultan Abu Bakar. It is located on a sufficient elevation, from where, the Strait of Johor is clearly visible in all its beauty.
Istan Besar, also known as the Grand Palace, is also located here. Here you can see various items, everyday life, clothes, as well as personal belongings of the Sultan himself and his family. You should definitely visit the throne room, the place where banquets, festivities were held, as well as the reception of ambassadors from different countries. On the outside of the palace is a wonderful Japanese-style garden.
It is here that the only glass temple in the world is located. This is a Hindu temple, completely finished with glass. It looks amazing, especially in sunny weather. Inside the temple is also finished with colored glass.
An interesting geographical fact: it is here that extreme point our mainland of Eurasia is Cape Piai. This place deserves to be visited at least once in a lifetime. This place will especially appeal to romantics, creative people and, of course, lovers.
Do not deny yourself the pleasure to also visit the valley of orchids. It is the largest such valley in the world. Here you can see almost all types of orchids that exist today.
Nature lovers are also recommended to visit the city zoo, or go to cozy reserves in the vicinity of the city.
You should definitely visit the Kite Museum. There are all kinds of models of kites from antiquity to the present day. After all, in Malaysia, flying a kite is not just children's entertainment rather high art. Every February there is a kite flying festival. This exotic and amazing sight will not leave anyone indifferent. One of interesting places the city is located nearby.
What to eat in Johor Bahru.
As for food, it is quite difficult to find any meat other than chicken in stores. But a huge selection of the most delicious tea of different varieties. If you love tea, it can be a great gift from Malaysia for you and your friends.
Like, perhaps, any city located near the sea, Johor Bahru is proud of its quality and fresh seafood. In any local restaurant you can enjoy fresh and tasty crabs, lobsters, shrimp dishes and other seafood, the choice here is rich. Also, Chinese cuisine flourishes here, because. almost half of the city's population is Chinese. You should definitely go to one of the restaurants and taste Peking duck, as well as appreciate the quality of cooking classic rice noodles. There are also quite a lot of Koreans in the city, so the third place can be safely given to Korean restaurants, where they cook no less tasty.
Like any metropolis, Johor Bahru is replete with all sorts of entertainment centers, cafes, restaurants and clubs. Nightlife is in full swing here.
An interesting fact is that it was in Johor Bahru that the world-famous rock band Search was born.
Johor Bahru - amazing city which holds many secrets. This is one of those cities that you should definitely visit at least once in your life. This city will be able to charm and surprise even an experienced tourist.
There are hotels in Johor Bahru, here you can do duty-free shopping. The city has a ferry terminal (from there ferries go to the Indonesian islands of Batam and Bintan) on Jalan-Ibrahim-Sultan street.
In addition to restaurants and malls, visitors can visit the extensive market, and not far from the Lido Waterfront outdoor swimming pool, the Masjid of Sultan Abu Bakar sparkles with shimmering white marble, Royal Museum Abu Bakar and the Istana Gardens, an old palace with a Japanese tea house and the Sultan's private zoo, which is open to the public.
Istana Besar Palace (Grand Palace), built in neoclassical style, is now used for various official ceremonies; modern sultans moved further north to modern Istana Bukit Serene with a 32 m high tower. Among other sights, the clock tower in colonial style towering above the city square of Dataran Bandaraya. At the Art Gallery (Galeri Seni), built in 1910 in the style traditional for this period, clothes, weapons, coins and manuscripts are exhibited, as well as calligraphic works, ceramics and other works of art.
Neighborhood of Johor Bahru
Endow Rompin National Park
This park lies on the border between the states of Johor and Pahang. Square national park Endow-Rompin 870 km² of forests and rivers. It quickly gained an excellent reputation among travelers as an alternative to the popular Taman Negara Park. This park is home to Malayan tigers, Asian elephants, wild boars and the largest population of Sumatran rhinos in the Malay Peninsula. Many representatives of other species of the animal world also live here, such as binturongs. (either cats or bears), white-handed gibbons (lares)- the only species of great apes on the peninsula. Of the huge number of species of birds living here, the hornbill and large argus pheasants should be mentioned. Endau Rompin is also home to the Jakung tribe of the Orang Asli people.
This park is less civilized than the parks of Sarawak and Sabah, so it looks more untouched. Endow-Rompin is to some extent a challenge for the most adventurous travelers. Accommodation options here are limited to chalets, dormitories and three park campsites located at Batu Hampar, Upeh Guling and Buaya Sangkut. For a walk in the park, you must take a guide or participate in a general tour.
From Johor Bahru, you can take the North-South Expressway towards Kluang and stop for a walk around the city of Kahang. From there, a 56-kilometer jungle road leads to the entrance to Kampung Peta National Park, which can only be reached by a four-wheel drive car. There is a visitor center and the entrance to the national park. There is another way - you can get there with a three-hour boat trip from the village of Felda Nitar II. The entrance to the park is strictly controlled, there are very strict instructions for behavior in the national park itself, they also determine the length of stay there.
South coast of Johor
There are three sites in Johor that are protected by the RAMSAR Wetlands Convention, which is of global importance. Unlike Johor National Park at Pulau Kukup and Tanjung Piai, Sungai Pulay Park does not have boardwalks from which to view the mangrove ecosystem with countless wildlife such as smooth-coated otters, spectacled slenderbodies, mudskippers (kind of fish) and kingfishers. Sungai Pulai is located close enough to the second bridge connecting Malaysia (Johor) and Singapore (western border of the country). Most The best way explore the park's mangrove trees - join river cruise with a guide from the Orang Seletar tribe of the Orang Asli people.
Desaru and northern islands
The 25 km strip of golden sands of Desaru can be reached by road via Kota Tinggi or by the Senai-Desaru highway starting at International Airport Senai. If you are traveling through Kota Tinggi and are a bird lover, you should pre-book a pass to the Panti Bird Sanctuary located 8 km north of Kota Tinggi. But if you are driving on the Senai - Desaru highway, you should stop by Pasir Gudang. It is home to the Layang Layang Museum, dedicated to the history of kites, and at the beginning of the year, the annual World Kite Festival is held, a colorful spectacle not to be missed. There are also interesting events for fans of car racing - Johor auto races are held here, where spectators can watch international competitions.
Desaru is located 55 km further east and is the first major seaside resort designed for Singaporeans. There are several large hotels and golf courses here, but travelers on a more modest budget will also find reasonably priced chalets.
In the sea, not far from the resorts of Mersing, there are islands - Pulau Rawa, Pulau Tengah, Pulau Besar, Pulau Tinggi and Pulau Sibu - with white sandy beaches, coral reefs and affordable housing. In Mersing you can hire a boat to take you to one of these isolated islands.
