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Destinations
Johor Hotels
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Travel Agencies |
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Places of Interest |
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Johor Bahru. Johor Bahru is a
vibrant and exciting commercial city, offering a host of sporting events, a
pulsing nightlife, outstanding shopping and accommodations, and a wide array of
fine restaurants. The city also contains a number of cultural and historical
attractions, including the Sultan Abu Bakar mosque, the imposing civic space of
the Dataran Bandaraya, the State Secretariat Building, and most notably the
Royal Abu Bakar Museum in the Grand Palace. Johor Bahru is linked to Singapore
via its 1,056-meter causeway, a dramatic road, rail, and pedestrian link across
the Straits of Johor. |
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Kluang. Located about two hours’
coach ride from the Larkin Bus Station, visitors can find pottery factories in
Machap, Johor Lowland Tea Plantation in the valley of Gunung Lambak and a
beautiful MARDI (Malaysia Agricultural Development Institute) recreational
park. At the Kluang Railway Station, visitors can enjoy the famous Kluang local
coffee and toast bread. |
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Muar. Muar is a picturesque town
along the western peninsular coast. Also known as Bandar Maharani, Muar, in
many ways, is a smaller version of Malacca, its more famous neighbor. Muar is
particularly renowned for its outstanding cuisine, with many restaurants as
well as food stalls serving irresistible local delicacies. Muar is famous for
its otak-otak (steamed fish meat with lemon grass). |
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Mersing. Mersing is a pleasant
fishing town, known primarily as the departure point for some of the most
beautiful islands in the South China Sea--including the legendary Pulau Tioman. |
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Pasir Gudang. A popular choice
for picnickers, this is also a hot venue for motor sports circuit. The 3.86km
circuit was built to the standards of the Federation of International
Motorcycle and Federation of International Automobile. With twelve challenging
turns, it is a thrill for spectators to watch circuit races held here. The kite
flying festival is also held annually within its vicinity. |
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The Causeway. Known also as
Woodland Causeway to Singaporeans, the 1,050-metre long causeway was built in
1924 for the convenience of traveling between Peninsular Malaysia and
Singapore. |
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Danga Bay. Latest addition and
attraction in Johor, this place offers great water sports, entertainment
activities and a mall for shopping. |
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Dataran Bandaraya. The clock
tower square was built to commemorate the declaration of Johor Bahru as a city
on 1st January 1994. also known as City Square, this venue hosts events and
cultural performances in the state. |
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Johor Art Gallery. Housed under
the Johor Art Gallery at JKR 144, Jalan Petrie in Johor Bahru are large
collections of art by well-known Johorean artists. Paintings by Dato’ Syed
Ahmad Jamal, Siti Zaiton Ismail, Ponirin Amin, Sanip Lasman, Lee Liong Jo,
Ismail Attan and other aspiring Johor artists are on display for viewing daily
from 8.00am to 4.00pm, except Fridays. |
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Tanjung Balau Fishing Village.
This east coast village near Desaru, about 98km from Johor Bahru, awaits
visitors with its tranquillity amid natural splendour. The shores of the
village were once upon a time lined with a type of hardwood tree called Aglaia
Ordoratissma, which is locally known as Balau. Fishermen inhabited Tanjung
Balau as early as the 18th century.
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Water World |
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Islands.
There are numerous enchanting islands off the coast of Johor with their own
golden beaches. With more than 50 islands in its waters, many of them are
located in the north eastern district of Mersing. |
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| Pemanggil Island |
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Rawa Island |
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Tinggi Island |
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These beautiful islands
feature crystal clear waters and a diversity of marine life and magnificent
coral reefs. They have been gazetted as marine parks and are
perfect for diving, snorkelling and swimming. Visitors can also indulge
in jungle trekking, island hopping or watching leatherback turtles lay their
eggs on the beach. |
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The most developed of the group, Pulau Sibu,
is famous for its clean white beaches, clear blue waters and beautiful coral
reefs. Other islands here are Pulau Besar, Pulau
Tinggi, Pulau Pemaggil, Pulau
Aur and Pulau Tengah. |
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Another tropical paradise is
Pulau Rawa. Situated in the east of Johor in South China Sea, it is a
remote, white sandy beach with crystal clear waters and a rich marine life.
This island is ‘untouched’ and therefore possesses unspoiled charm and
tranquillity. Some of the most sought after water sports activities here
include snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing and canoeing. Located off Mersing,
it is approximately three hours by road from Singapore, which explains why it
is so popular among Singaporeans.
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More other popular islands are Pulau Sibu
Tengah, which is part of the Sibu group of islands that make up the southern
cluster, and Pulau Besar, which is a hit with tourists for its long stretch of
golden coastline.
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Johor
Beaches. Johor boasts of beautiful beaches, thanks in part to the
fact that it is surrounded by water on three sides. The mainland beaches are
accessible via modern roads either by bus or taxi. Most of these beaches are
well equipped with facilities such as car parks, restaurants, rest shades,
benches, restrooms and accommodation. Equipment for boating, kayaking, jet
skiing and wind surfing are also available for rent at selected beaches. |
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In the east coast of the Kota Tinggi district lays one of the most famous
beaches in Johor, Desaru Beach. Dubbed as the
‘Last Unspoiled Corner of Southeast Asia’, you can find international class
accommodation, facilities, activities and services here. Desaru offers a 26km
stretch of pristine sandy beaches fringed with Casuarinas. Other attractions
such as historical relics, a fishermen’s museum, a firefly colony and fresh
seafood are within a short drive from Desaru.
Other beautiful beaches in Kota Tinggi and their distance from Kota Tinggi town
are as follows: Teluk Mahkota Beach (Jason Bay, about 38km); Teluk Endau Beach
(about 49km); Tanjung Balay Beach (about 62km); Batu Layar Beach (about 71km),
and Teluk Ramunia beach (about 76km).
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Apart from Kota Tinggi, Mersing also boasts
some of the finest beaches. Among them are Penyabong Beach, Air Papan Beach,
Teluk Buih Beach, Tenglu Beach and Tanjung Leman Beach. |
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Other beaches in Johor are Stulang Laut
Beach and Lido Beach (Johor Bahru), Rambah Beach (Pontian), Punggor and Minyak
Beku Beaches (Batu Pahat). Lido Beach is a city beach for city dwellers to
spend their evenings. Both the Punggor and Minyak Beku beaches are not suitable
for swimming but ideal for enjoying the sea breeze. |
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Nature's Trail |
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Gunung Ledang (Mount Ophir).
Known as Mount Ophir to the British, the 1,267-metre Gunung Ledang is the
highest mountain in Johor. According to folklore, it was the home of Puteri
Gunung Ledang, a princess who once captivated the heart of the Sultan of
Malacca during the 15th century but turned down his proposal for marriage by
setting impossible demands. She demanded a golden bridge linking the Sultan’s
palace in Malacca to the mountain, jars of women’s tears, seven trays of
mosquitoes’ hearts and seven bowls of blood from the Sultan’s prince.
There are trails that lead to the summit of this mountain and at its base is
the Sagil Waterfall, a popular spot for picnickers. Gunung Ledang is the
perfect place for nature lovers, bird watchers, jungle trekkers and picnickers.
Activities here are nature-based, thus suitable for the adventurous. Other
activities are night trekking, archery and mountain biking. Camping is also
very popular with campsites available along the trail uphill to Gunung Ledang. |
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Visitors can also visit the Gunung Ledang
Recreation Forest, an eight-hectare forest reserved as a sanctuary and a
water-catchment area with four waterfalls. A popular spot for picnics, this
park is also a favourite venue for seminars and work camps. The adventurous can
trek up to Gunung Pulai, about 700 metres above sea level. |
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Endau-Rompin National Park. The
national park spans across the borders of two states – Johor and Pahang, with a
combined area of 92,000 ha. It is one of the oldest rainforests in the world
with rock formations dating back more than 248 million years. Among the many
attractions here are endemic plants, more than 50 different types of animals,
over 230 species of birds and 40 species of fishes. Enjoy the awe-inspiring
beauty of the 120-metre high Buaya Sangkut waterfall, and be guided through the
lush park by Orang Asli.
Other recreational forests in Johor are Soga Perdana (Batu Pahat), about 131km
from Johor Bahru and five kilometres from Batu Pahat town; Sungai Bantang
(Segamat), 80km from Segamat town; Gunung Arong (Mersing), about 17km from
Mersing and 22km from Endau along the Mersing-Endau road; Gunung Lambak
(Kluang), about five kilometres from Kluang and 115 km from Johor Bahru; Gunung
Belumut (Kluang) about 32km from Kluang and 139km from Johor Bahru, to name a
few. Read more.. |
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Kota Tinggi Waterfall. Standing
at a height of 34 metres, this waterfall is a favourite getaway spot for the
locals. The cascading waters flows from the 624-metre Mount Muntahak. There are
chalets, camping sites, public changing rooms and a restaurant at this
waterfall.
Tanjung Piai National Park.
Tanjung Piai, situated in the midst of an extensive area of mangrove forest,
provides visitors with a glimpse of the richness of Malaysia's coastal fauna as
well as an experience of traditional kampung life. Multi-coloured mangrove
crabs, beady-eyed mudskippers, and crab-eating macaques are found in abundance. |
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Historical & Heritage |
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Royal Abu Bakar Museum. One of
the finest museums in the world in terms of its ambience and its dazzling
display of cultural treasures, the Royal Abu Bakar Museum occupies the Istana
Besar, or Grand Palace, built by Sultan Abu Bakar in 1866. Johor’s present
ruler, His Majesty Sultan Iskandar, founded the museum in 1990 and its
collection consists of the treasures of the Royal Family. In addition to an
extensive art collection, the museum displays the ceremonial regalia, personal
memorabilia, furniture and cultural artefacts accumulated by the Royal Family
over the course of its reign. It is open from 10.00m to 6.00pm daily, except on
Fridays when the museum is closed. Admission fees are as follows:
non-Malaysians, US$7.00 (adults), US$3.00 (children under 12); Malaysians,
RM5.00 (adults), RM1.00 (children under twelve and schoolchildren in uniform).
For further information, contact the Abu Bakar Royal Museum Johor, Istana
Besar, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor. Tel: 07-220351 |
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State Secretariat Building.
Built in 1942, this massive building on Bukit Timbalan dominates the skyline of
Johor bahru. Its architecture is a combination of European and Anglo-Malay
influence. During World War II, the Japanese Imperial Army used it as a
fortress and a command centre. Today it houses the state secretariat and other
state government departments.
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Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque.
Considered as one of the most beautiful mosques in the country, Sultan abu
Bakar Mosque was built in 1895 and can accommodate up to 2,000 worshippers at
one time. The mosque is located on top of a hill, overlooking the Straits of
Johor. |
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Johor Lama Fort. Once the royal
seat of the Johor Sultanate during the rule of Sultan Aauddin Riayat Shah, this
former capital was raised in 1540 and was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1587.
There are two tombs found here, believed to be of the sultan himself and his
warrior. |
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Kota Tinggi Museum. Located in
the historical town of Kota Tinggi is the Kota Tinggi Museum. Managed by the
Johor Heritage Foundation, the museum is home to artefacts, relics, historical
facts and anecdotes on past Johor sultanates, capitals and early encounters
with the Portuguese, Dutch, Achehnese and other regional powers from the 16th
to the 18th centuries. |
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Flora & Fauna |
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Agrotourism. Agro-tourism in
Johor showcases the state’s agricultural wonders, including the world’s largest
Arowana aquaculture farm, the second biggest orchid farm, a unique hybrid of
pineapples and a rare species of the mixed breed wild ox and domestic cow
called Selembu. Other agro-tourism attractions here are herb and spice farms,
lowland tea plantations, ostrich farms and numerous fruit orchards.
There are several agro-tourism spots in Johor. At the foot of Gunung Pulai is
the Seri Gunung Pulai Agro-tourism Village. Besides swimming, visitors can also
savour the delicious local fruits here. You will also get the chance to tap
rubber trees, pluck mushrooms and cast fishing net into the pond.
In Batu Pahat, there are two agro-tourism villages. They are the Kangkar
Merlimau Agro-tourism and Parit Kuari Agro-tourism Villages. The former
has many durian trees and also other fruits. Orchid farming is also a popular
activity here. As for Parit Kuari Agro-tourism Village, it is famous for its
snacks. You can find a variety of chips, crackers and traditional cakes
produced from agricultural products. |
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