Johor Bahru
Table of Contents: Districts / Culture and History / Travel to Johor Bahru, visa requirements Flights to Johor Bahru, airtickets By road / From Singapore / From other parts of Malaysia Buses to Johor Bahru / From Singapore 2 / From other parts of Malaysia 2 By taxi By train By boat / On foot / Get around By taxi 2 By bus 2 By car / On foot 2 / Johor Bahru attractions and sightseeing / Historical landmarks / Natural Attractions / City tours / Golf Courses / Water sports / Cinemas / Others / Shopping, Johor Bahru souvenirs / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Budget / Hawker Centres / Mamak Food / Malay Food / Chinese Food / Others 2 / Mid-range / Splurge / Johor Bahru nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Hotels, youth hostels, lodging / Budget 2 / Mid Range / Splurge 2 / Stay safe / Contact / Get out More from Johor: Endau Rompin National Park, Johor Bahru More from Peninsular Malaysia: East Coast (Malaysia), Johor, West Coast (Malaysia) More from Malaysia: East Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia More from Southeast Asia: Borneo, Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, One month of Southeast Asian diving and culture, Paracel Islands, Philippines, Singapore, Spratly Islands, Thailand, Vietnam More from Asia: Caucasus, Central Asia, East Asia, Middle East, Southeast Asia |
Johor Bahru (also Johor Baru or Johore Baharu, but universally called just JB) is the state capital of Johor in southern peninsular Malaysia, just across the causeway from Singapore. A bustling city but one with little of interest for the casual tourist, it is a significant regional transport hub and manufacturing hub.
Districts
Johor Bahru can be easily divided into four parts - North, South, East and West.
South - Its main city centre is located on the southern part of the city which has a link to Singapore via the causeway. It is an area with housing estates which has been around for more than three decades. Important estates includes, Taman Pelangi, Taman Century and Taman Sentosa.
North - Can be accessed via the trunk road, Jalan Tebrau. There can be a relatively frequent peak hour jam along this road. The main centre would be Taman Johor Jaya. Recently, the Austin area has been a hive for construction activities with the latest Jusco Tebrau City locating in its vicinity.
West - Probably one of the larger areas of the four. Its hub is Skudai and has important housing estates such as Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Taman Skudai Baru, Taman Bukit Indah, Taman Perling and Taman Nusa Bestari. The largest port in Johor, Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas is located in this area.
East - Another port city which has been around for more than 20 years. The main hub is Pasir Gudang which is both a port city as well as a manufacturing hub. Tanjung Langsat which is located near Pasir Gudang is fast becoming a petro chemical hub.
Understand
Declared a city only in 1994, Johor Bahru is a rapidly growing city. Latest census figures indicates that it is fast becoming Malaysia's second largest city, with a population of over one million. Given its relatively large land space, the town is not as dense as other cities around Malaysia.
Due to its proximity to Singapore, it suffers from unavoidable comparison with its neighbour. Recent clean-up initiatives like greening the city and covering the open sewers that until a few years ago ran through the center of the city have made it a more pleasant place to live. Though appreciably less organised and more messy when compared to the glitz of Singapore, shopping and eating in the city can be a real adventure, with many shopping complexes and a wide variety of food establishments offering budget to fine dining.
Johor Bahru is probably more well known as an industrial city rather than a tourist-friendly town. Many of the world's top electronics manufacturers have at least one plant in Johor Bahru, and after the tough times after the 1997 economic crisis the town is stirring to life again.
Get in
By plane
Senai International Airport (JHB), formally Sultan Ismail International Airport (Malay: Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Sultan Ismail), is located 28 km to the north-west of JB. Senai has expanded aggressively and flights to most Malaysian and Indonesian destinations are considerably cheaper than from Singapore. The airport is compact but recently renovated and fully equipped with shops, a restaurant (landside only), WLAN access (ask for free login at information desk), etc.
Domestic flights are provided by Malaysia Airlines (Suite 1.1, Level 1, Menara Pelangi, Jalan Kuning, 80400 Johor Bahru. Tel: +60-7-331 0036) with direct flights to Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, and the low-cost carrier AirAsia (Call centre Tel: 1-300-88-99-33) which provides cheaper direct flights to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau.
Getting there/away
- To/from Johor Bahru:
- Causeway Link Express (Tel: +60-7-3582244) operates airport shuttle buses between the airport and the City Airport Lounge at Kotaraya II bus terminal in Jalan Trus. Tickets cost RM8 one-way and journey time is about 40 minutes. From the airport, buses depart at 0610, 0745, 0835, 0925, 0940, 1030, 1150, 1315, 1350, 1510, 1600, 1715, 1815, 1905, 2020, 2135, 2220 and 2330. From the City Lounge, buses depart at 0530, 0700, 0745, 0845, 0930, 1055, 1155, 1250, 1400, 1440, 1620, 1700, 1805, 1930, 2000, 2115 and 2235.
- SPS Coach (Ticketing at airport Tel: +60-7-5993976; City Lounge Tel: +60-7-2217481) operates buses between the airport and Plaza Seni as well as the City Airport Lounge. Tickets cost RM4.
- Maju no. 207 and GML Line GI operate local buses between the airport and the Larkin bus terminal.
- Besides the bus, taxis are also available, taking about 30 minutes. Taxis leaving from the airport operate on a voucher system - buy your voucher from the taxi desk inside the terminal (next to the car hire desks). A trip to the city centre is RM40.
- To/from Singapore: The airport's transport links to Singapore are rather poor, since Singapore has blocked all attempts to provide direct service to what it views as a competitor.
- The only direct bus link is provided by SPS Coach (Ticketing counter at airport Tel: +60-7-5993976; Singapore ticketing Tel: +62-62503333) and is only available to Malaysia Airlines ticket holders. It runs between Senai airport and the Copthorne Orchid Hotel on Dunearn Road, Singapore and costs RM 12 or S$12 depending whether you are leaving from or coming to Johor Bahru. For flights and the corresponding bus schedules, check Malaysian Airlines' Singapore website.
- The cheapest option is to travel from Singapore to the City Airport Lounge at the Kotaraya II terminal (S$1 on Causeway Link buses) (see By bus below) on Jalan Trus and transfer to a Causeway Link Express airport shuttle bus. See the "To/From Johor Bahru" section above for details of buses between City Airport Lounge and the airport. Direct buses from the airport to the Second Link stopped running in June 2006.
- If you're in a hurry, you can take an ordinary Malaysian taxi for RM35 or so after crossing the Causeway. From JB to Senai takes around 30 minutes in good traffic, but schedule in some leeway as rush hour traffic can be quite bad.
If you plan to take an early morning flight, bear in mind that the earliest bus leaves the City Lounge at 05:30 and reaches the airport around 06:10. You have the option of staying in JB for the night. You also have the option of booking a taxi that takes you directly to the airport or to the City Lounge at Kotaraya, but this will cost you; (see By taxi below). It is recommended that you plan these carefully, the variables and the risks involved in this morning rush is pretty high.
By road
From Singapore
Immigration formalities You will need to fill up an immigration card to enter Malaysia, so the first thing to do at the Malaysian checkpoint is to walk past the long queue and get one from the immigration officers. Ask for more cards if you want to make a return visit someday. Fill the form, then join the queue. |
Most visitors to JB arrive from Singapore via one of two land links.
- The Causeway linking Malaysia and Singapore is a very popular and thus terminally congested entry point connecting directly into the heart of JB. While congestion isn't as bad as it once was, the Causeway is still jam-packed on Friday evenings (towards Malaysia) and Sunday evenings (towards Singapore). The Causeway can be crossed by bus, train, taxi, car or foot.
- A second crossing between Malaysia and Singapore, known imaginatively as the Second Link, has been built between western Singapore and Malaysia. Much faster and less congested than the Causeway, it is used by some of the luxury bus services to Kuala Lumpur and is strongly recommended if you have your own car. There is no public transport across the Second Link, and only Malaysian "limousine" taxis are allowed to cross it (and charge RM150 and up for the privilege). Walking across is also not allowed, not that there would be any practical means to continue the journey from either end if you did.
Driving a car from Singapore to Malaysia is relatively uncomplicated, although small tolls are charged for both crossing and (for the Second Link) the adjoining expressway. Do be sure to change some ringgit before crossing, as Singapore dollars are accepted only at the unfavorable rate of 1:1.
Entering Singapore with a foreign-registered car is more complicated and expensive. See Singapore | Get In for details.
In both directions, note that rental cars will frequently ban or charge extra for crossing the border.
From other parts of Malaysia
JB is at the southern end of the North South Expressway, the toll highway which runs the length of Peninsular Malaysia. Those accessing the city can exit at Skudai, Kempas, Jalan Pasir Gudang or Johor Baru exits.
JB is also at the southern extremity of the Federal Route One, the main trunk road which runs the length of Peninsular Malaysia's West Coast states. Federal Route Three or the East Coast Road also links JB with the East Coast towns of Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu via Kota Tinggi and Mersing. The West Coast's coastal road can be accessed from Pontian.
By bus
From Singapore
The following are options to cross the Causeway to/from Singapore by bus:
| Line | Stops in Singapore | Stops in Johor Bahru | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causeway Link CW-1 | Kranji MRT only | Larkin via Kotaraya | S$1.30, S$1.00 from Singapore RM1.30, 1.00 from Malaysia |
| Causeway Link CW-2 | Queen Street only | Larkin only | S$3 |
| Route 1 (CW3) - Sikh Temple (Johor Bahru) - Taman Bukit Indah - Gelang Patah - Tuas CIQ - Jurong East Bus/MRT Interchange Route 2 (666) - Larkin Station - Taman Tun Aminah - Gelang Patah - Tuas CIQ - Jurong East Bus/MRT Interchange | |||
| SBS 170 (red plate) | Queen St via Kranji MRT | Larkin only | S$1.30 (EZ-Link OK) |
| SBS 170 (blue plate) | Kranji MRT | Kotaraya only | S$1.00 (EZ-Link OK) |
| SBS 160 | Jurong East MRT via Kranji MRT | Kotaraya only | S$1.50 (EZ-Link OK) |
| SMRT 950 | Woodlands MRT via Marsiling MRT | Kotaraya only | S$1.20 (EZ-Link OK) |
| Singapore-Johor Express | Queen St only | Larkin only | S$2.40 |
There's a pattern to the madness: Singaporean-operated buses (SBS, SMRT, SJE) can only stop at one destination in Malaysia, while the Malaysian-operated Causeway Link buses can only stop at one destination in Singapore. Terminals aside, all buses make two stops at Singapore immigration and at Malaysian immigration, which gives you the opportunity to hop on (esp. on those line buses where you can pay with an ez-link card). At both immigration points, you must disembark with all your luggage and pass through passport control and customs, then board the next bus by showing your ticket. On the Malaysian side, the bus stop is to your left as you exit the immigration post. Figure on one hour for the whole rigmarole from end to end, more during rush hour.
Note: Embarking of the express bus (and others) towards Singapore is done after you pass the customs. As you can pass from JB to the bus without passing customs first (by jaywalking across the street from the Lucky Foodcourt), this leaves you without an exit stamp. This could give you quite some trouble later if you try to re-enter Malaysia (as the Singapore customs pointed out).
From other parts of Malaysia
Long-distance buses from JB to other points in West Malaysia depart from Larkin Bus Terminal, located some 4 km north of the Causeway. Several bus companies run buses to Kuala Lumpur at all hours during the daytime; except in peak seasons, you can usually get your ticket from some company and get moving right away. Purchase all bus tickets at counter windows and do not pay attention to loitering individuals claiming to sell (fake) bus tickets. You can connect to or from the city center with local buses (some of which continue all the way across the Causeway to Singapore) or taxis.
Only some Singapore-bound services, the Senai Airport Express and some local bus services use the Kotaraya 2 Bus Terminal on Jalan Trus in the city centre.
By taxi
Normal Singaporean taxis are not allowed to cross into Malaysia (and vice versa). Specially licensed Singaporean taxis permitted to go to a single point in JB can be booked by phone (Johor Taxi Service from Singapore, tel. +65-6296-7054, S$45 one way to fixed point in JB, Kotaraya), while Malaysian taxis (which can go anywhere in Malaysia) can be taken from Queen Street at premium rates, around S$35 to points in central JB. A combination ride from anywhere in Singapore to anywhere in Malaysia can also be arranged, but you'll need to swap cabs halfway through: this will cost S$40 and up, paid to the Singaporean driver. In the reverse direction towards Singapore, you can take taxis from Kotaraya to any point in central Singapore (S$30) or Changi Airport (S$40).
You can also opt to share taxis from Queen Street, which usually works out to around S$8 per person with four people (or pay S$32 for the whole car). The main advantage here is that you don't need to lug your stuff (or yourself) through Customs at both ends; you can just sit in the car.
The most expensive option is to take a limousine taxi specially licensed to take passengers from any point to any destination, but only a few are available and they charge a steep RM150 per trip. Advance booking is highly recommended, tel. +60-7599-1622.
By train
The KTM Johor Bahru railway station is located about 5 minutes walk directly north from the Malaysian checkpoint. Train tickets leaving from JB are half price those leaving from Singapore.
KTM trains from Singapore into Malaysia also cross the Causeway, but on separate right of way and are thus immune from the traffic jams. On the flip side, Malaysian immigration is conducted at the Tanjong Pagar station in Singapore, but you will be required to disembark with all your luggage and pass through the Singaporean checkpoint at Woodlands. Trains are also very slow (the trip takes an hour) and very infrequent with only half a dozen services daily, but at RM2.90 one way to central Tanjong Pagar the price can't be beat.
A long-awaited project [1] to construct a new integrated terminal to replace the old, dilapidated train station is scheduled to be completed in 2006.
By boat
JB's ferry terminal is called the Johor Bahru International Ferry Terminal and is located in "The Zon" duty free complex (locally referred to as "Duty Free") in Stulang Laut, 2 km east of the Causeway. Ferries go to Batam and Bintan in the Riau Islands of Indonesia. Getting there/away: Causeway Link bus No. 22. They can be caught at the Komtar Shopping Complex in the centre of the city.
To Batam: Ferries depart almost hourly to Batam Centre. RM60/95 one-way/return. Journey takes 90 mins.
To Bintan: Around seven ferries daily to/from Tanjung Pinang. RM75/125 one-way/return. Journey takes 90 mins.
For information on all three services, you can also call Tenggara Senandung (Tel: +60-7-2211677).
On foot
The 700 metre Causeway can also be crossed on foot in about 15 minutes. This can be a very useful shortcut when the Causeway is jammed, at least if you have only a small amount of luggage and you're on the move either very early in the morning or late in the evening (when it's not so hot).
Be careful at the Malaysian end of the Causeway, you will have to cross the traffic to get to the immigration/customs building. There is a set of traffic lights that is supposed to stop the traffic to allow you cross, but these are generally ignored by drivers. It's very hazardous, and best attempted in rush hour when everything is jammed to a halt.
Get around
JB's public transport is limited to a sparse bus network. Various proposals for relieving the chronically congested town's traffic remain on the drawing board.
By taxi
Traveling by taxi is a fairly cheap alternative, although the drivers usually refuse to use meter so you have to negotiate the price with them. Trips in the downtown shouldn't cost you more than RM5. It's best to avoid the taxi touts at the Causeway and hail a taxi from the street just beyond.
By bus
You can opt for a bus to move around the city. e.g. to Holiday Plaza or Plaza Pelangi shopping mall. However, there are no clear signs of the bus stops. Just follow the crowds and wait alongside the locals for the buses. Look at the direction sign on the bus and don't hesitate to ask the bus driver directly.
Bus fares vary according to the distance traveled. A trip from the Larkin bus terminal to city center will cost RM1.30 per person. The trip ends at the bus stop located at the opposite of City Square mall. (ie. Jln Wong Ah Fook). A trip to Plaza Pelangi and the surrounding Pelangi vicinity with the starting point being the Larkin bus terminal will cost approximately RM2.10 per person.
By car
There's little point to renting a car for touring JB alone, but it can make more sense to rent a car here to explore the rest of Malaysia as car rentals and fuel costs are roughly half that of neighboring Singapore.
- Hawk Rent A Car, No. 50C, Bangunan KPMNJ, Jalan Segget (two blocks west of the Causeway), dial 07-2242849 /54 [2] / [3]. A basic manual Proton Wira starts from RM140.00/day, offices throughout the country for easy dropoff (extra charges apply).
On foot
JB is a remarkably pedestrian-hostile city, although the city core is now mostly navigable via underpasses and walkways and the recent beautification effort has seen the canal turned into a pleasant, if still somewhat whiffy, park for pedestrians.
See
Historical landmarks
- Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque. Overlooking the Straits, this state mosque was finished in 1900 and opened by the then Sultan Ibrahim. A combination of Moorish and Victorian architecture, visiting hours are between 10am and 6pm from Saturday to Thursday except during congregational prayers.
- Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Palace Museum, Jalan Skudai. Definitely Johor Bahru's top attraction, this is the opulent former residence (Istana Besar or Grand Palace) of the Sultan of Johor, which is still used on special occasions but is open to the public as a museum the rest of the time. Dating back to 1866 but extended and refurbished many times since, the scale of the palace is suitably grand and the furnishings inside veer from French rococo to dining chairs built from crystal glass via Japanese pottery and oil paintings of the Sultan on his favorite motorbike. Open Sat-Thu 9 AM-4 PM. Entry US$7 for foreigners, RM5 for Malaysians.
- Sultan Ibrahim Building. Built in 1940, the building is located on Bukit Timbalan and houses the State Secretariat and the offices of the state government. The building blends the cosmopolitan architecture of Renaissance style, with an overlay of Anglo-Malay influence.
Natural Attractions
- Johor Zoo, across from the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque. A run down zoo that provides a dismal diversion to western tourists.
- Saleng Zoo, Kulai (along the way from Jalan Skudai all the way past Senai town). A private zoo which surprisingly has been reasonably well maintained.
- Orchid Valley Located in the Pulai area along Jalan Johor-Pontian road. Relatively run down.
Do
Golf Courses
Johor Bahru is reasonably well known for its golf courses. During the height of the country's boom, there is almost a golf course planned every 3 months. Here are some of the best in Johor Bahru.
- Royal Johor Country Club probably the most expensive club in Johor Bahru. It is also the first course in this city.
- Tanjung Puteri Resort one of the largest courses in Johor Bahru and boasts of many awards. Very well designed courses and attracts a fair amount of visitors.
- Leisure Farm easily accesible by Singaporeans via the second link.
- Pulai Spring Resort Partly owned by a Singapore company and hence a popular joint among the Singaporeans.
Water sports
- Danga Bay There have been some addition recently to Danga Bay. You can rent a paddle boat to explore the area.
- Stulang Laut You can find some windsurfing activities around this area.
- Dan's Nasty Frogmen Dive Base at Sea Gypsy Village on Pulau Sibu There are boat dives & Try Scuba Dives daily, morning & afternoon. Scuba diving is taught from the age of 8 years starting with Scuba Rangers. There are also morning & afternoon snorkeling excursions to uninhabited islands. Sailing is availble using Solsa sail boats plus paddle skis, kayaks & boogie boards for hire. Taxis to Tanjong Leman are easily available, depart at 7am for the 9am boat. You can depart Pulau Sibu at 5.30pm or 8.30pm, the resort will order a taxi to Johor Bahru for your return trip. Sea Gypsy Village operate a bus service from Johor Bahru daily at midday to connect with their 2pm boat, guests are on the island by 2.30pm.
Cinemas
There are three major cinemas in Johor Bahru, Tanjung Golden Village located in Jusco Tebrau City, Golden Screen Cinemas in Pelangi Leisure Mall and Mega Pavillion located in City Square, Johor Bahru. Although Pelangi Leisure Mall's cinematic technology isn't the best it is still considered acceptable. Most of all, it offers the cheaper tickets among the three. Mega Pavillion is the state of the art cinema in the city but experiencing that technology in the center of the city will set you back at least 40% more than other movie theaters.
Others
- The Johor Society for the Performing Arts (JSPA), T: +60-12-7179388, [4]. A non-commercial Society dedicated to the advancement,promotion and development of the performing arts in JB.
- Massage Gallery Home Spa, Taman Perling (T: 07-2352369 or 019-7292369) [5]. A transformed single storey terrace house with two small but clean and comfortable massage rooms and a semi-open body scrubbing area. Male masseurs only.
Buy
JB is full of shopping malls catering mostly to local and Singaporean shoppers. Selections are somewhat limited when compared to the island state's offerings, but prices for Malaysian-produced goods can be half price or less.
- Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation (JARO) Handicrafts Centre[6]. The JARO Handicrafts Centre is located along Jalan Sungai Chat sells hand-made cane furniture, soft toys, rattan baskets and customised book-binds, among others, all produced by the physically disabled charges of the state government. JARO is a state sponsored organisation that focuses on the needs of the disabled through its rehabilitative shelter and workshop programme. T: 07-224 5632.
- AEON Tebrau City, The largest mall in JB, with a sprawling supermarket and numerous international retail franchises like Giordano's, MNG, Esprit, Dorothy Perkin's, and the list goes on. All ranges of food available, from Italian fine-dining to fast food joints like Pizza Hut to local favourites at the food court on the 3rd level. Upmarket shopping, mid-range goods, food, departmental store, movies, karaoke and entertainment all under one roof. There are town buses to JUSCO albeit sparse. Taxi rides from the Malaysian customs should not cost more than RM20.
- City Square, Jalan Wong Ah Fook (just across from the train station) [7]. JB's most accessible mall, an easy walk from Malaysian customs. Has a good range of shops, with a Singapore run Cathay Cineplex on the fifth floor. There is also a foodcourt run by Singapore-based Food Junction.
- Holiday Plaza, Jalan Dato Sulaiman (Century Garden). A three-storey shopping mall. Take a taxi usually not more than RM5 or bus to get here from Malaysian customs. This is the place to buy electronics, DVDs, VCDs, CDs, PS2 games, Xbox games, Nintendo games and PC games at slightly cheaper price than those shops near the custom.
- Komtar, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, located just next to City Square. An old shopping mall featuring some Malay shops and a supermarket. An overhead bridge connects City Square with Komtar.
- Plaza Kotaraya, within walking distance from Malaysian customs. It is relatively old shopping centre compared to the nearby City Square. Visit the supermarket to find Malaysian products and groceries.
- Plaza Pelangi, Jalan Kuning. An upmarket shopping mall. It has a supermarket (Cold Storage) and a wide variety of branded fashion shops and nice restaurants/cafes like McDonald's, and Coffee Bean.
Eat
JB is a popular destination for budget-conscious gourmands from Singapore, as most dishes are half price across the border. Most of food stalls and dining spots come alive when night falls over the city. Common dishes include seafood and some Johor specialities like Johor laksa and mee rebus. The adventurous can head for the stalls at Lido Beach and Stulang Laut to try the local favorites and hawker fare.
Do beware of menus without prices, especially when ordering seafood, otherwise you may be in for an unpleasant surprise.
Budget
Hawker Centres
There are quite a number of Hawker centres across Johor Bahru. Hawker centres are basically a collections of pushcarts vendors plying their trade in one area. Food and drinks are relatively cheap in these areas. Among the more well known Hawker centres are as follows:
- Taman Sri Tebrau Hawker Centre, off Tebrau Highway (3 km north of JB, near Crystal Crown Hotel). Doesn't look like much, but very popular among locals and Singaporeans alike. Get here before noon, as most stalls close after the nearby wet market winds down.
- Johor Jaya Hawker Centre located across the road from Daiman Bowling mall.
- Danga Bay Bayleaf Food Park. The latest venture in waterfront development, Danga Bay houses a fairly well-run food court with a wide selection of food all fairly reasonable priced. Enjoy the view of Singapore while you dine.
Mamak Food
There are three relatively large chains of Mamak restaurants across Johor Bahru, namely Ayub, Sri Alam and Habib. They serve similar food, in particular their roti canai (Singaporeans call it roti prata)which is made of flour. Other dishes like Nasi Lemak, Mee Goreng can be found in these restaurants. In general they are located all across town. Just ask a local person, they will gladly point you to the right direction.
Malay Food
If you can get up early in the morning there are 2 different types of 'roti canai' that you may try out in Johor that should not be available in other states. 'Roti canai' is a flat piece of fried dough that is served with different types of curries depending on your mood. One is located near the new Complex Immigration and Quarantine building near Kim Teng Park. This version is very thick and extra crispy and the chili paste that comes with it is to die for. It is advisable to ask for directions first as it is only accessible by car. The other 'roti canai' is located at Century Garden near the Honda showroom in front of the MAA building. These are tiny, light and fluffy versions of the original 'roti canai' and it comes with a small bowl of savory sardine-mixture to go with it. Both are reasonably priced and you should not miss it.
- Restoran ZZ. 20 Jalan Sungei Chat (off Jalan Mahmoodiah, behind Sultanah Aminah Hospital), tel. +60-7224-0417. Popular low-key Malay eatery with a daily-changing buffet, particularly known for their Johor-style laksa and ikan bakar (grilled fish), two can eat until stuffed for RM10. Open daily for breakfast and lunch only. Located a fair distance from the center, so take a taxi.
- Taman Pelangi Satay. One of the Malay hawkers at the small hawker center opposite the Pelangi Mosque/Caltex Petro kiosk/Pelangi Leisure Mall. Only RM0.40 per stick!!
- Kolam Air Laksa, Jalan Kolam Air (same road as Hyatt). This is the best Laksa in JB/Singapore.
- Mee Rebus Stulang Laut, Stulang Laut. The original mee rebus is located at the now Open University facing the straits. It has an alfresco type dining as well.
- Nasi Lemak Senibong Located in Kampung Senibong, it has been serving one of the best Nasi Lemak in Johor Bahru. Costing RM4 per plate, it costs of coconut flavoured rice, chicken (comes in three flavours), an egg and sambal (traditional malay chili sauce).
- Restaurant Singgah Selalu Located across the road from Danga Bay, it has quite a fair bit of food selections on its menu.
- Warisan Anjung Seri A popular joint for the local. More well known for its concept of tree top dining experience. There is even a nightly angklung performance. Must book in advance to get a sitting on top of a tree.
Chinese Food
- Yi Bao Restaurant. Located along the main road in Taman Maju Jaya and within walking distance from Plaza Pelangi, this humble eatery offers one of the best 'mee hoon kueh' in town. 'Mee hoon kueh' is a popular Chinese delicacy where pieces of flour are cooked in a thick, tantalising soup consisting meatballs, mincemeat, vegetables, fragrantly deep-fried anchovies and egg, all cooked to perfection. Noodle version also available. Expect large crowds of office-going workers during lunch hours. Non-halal.
- Sentosa Mee Hoon Kueh. Probably one of the earliest vendors in promoting the Mee Hoon Kueh dish. It is located along Jalan Sutera in Taman Sentosa. It has been the subject of many Singapore based food shows which came into Johor Bahru for a review of local delicacies. Non-halal.
- Bamboo Restaurant. It is located in Jalan Sutera 1, Taman Sentosa. Most well known among the Singaporeans and outstation travellers who come to specifically sample the "Paper wrapped Chicken". It is a dish which is filled with chinese herbs and then baked in oven. Costs about RM12 per chicken.
- Sing Kee Restaurant. Located in Jalan Meranti, Taman Melodies. It has been serving the local community for nearly 20 years. It has a few signature dishes such as claypot lamb and curry fish head.
- Tapai Tang Restaurant. Located in Jalan Meranti, Taman Melodies. It is a well known eatery for small dishes and pretty good food. A must try.
- Pekin Restaurant. Located in Taman Sentosa. It is probably the cheapest among a chain of restaurants owned by the same owner. It has been around for more than 20 years. It still serves up piping hot chinese food which has been favoured by both local and Singaporeans.
- San Lou Restaurant. Located in Taman Pelangi. Famous for its fried bee hoon. Also serves seafood.
Others
- Roti Boy, City Square. Famed for its eponymous light brown buns similar to Mexican bun, served fresh from oven. Eat the bun while it is hot. The bun is popular in Malaysia and Singapore, so expect a long queue during certain times.
Mid-range
- Sosaku, Jalan Serampang, Taman Pelangi, tel. +61-7-333-6368. Opening hours 12pm-2.30pm, 6pm-10pm (Mon-Fri) 12pm-10pm (Weekends and PH). This restaurant is among many other famous bistros, pubs and mid-range eateries along this road popular among JB food connosieurs. The buffet (served after 6pm) includes sashimi, tempura and ramen. Fantastic ambience, excellent personalised service.
- Furusato, Straits View Hotel. Good value for money Japanese fare. Friendly Japanese-speaking staff.
Splurge
- New Hong Kong Restaurant, Located at 69-A Jalan Ibrahim Sultan, it has been serving the local community for over 50 years. Probably one of the best chinese restaurants in Johor Bahru.
- Chez Papa, Jalan Maju. French cuisine and a fine selection of wines and cheese. The restaurant also offers a cosy and intimate wine bar with music.
- Ros Marino Ristorante, Jalan Damai. Authentic Italian dishes like osso bucco.
- International Restaurants Danga Bay, A collection of three restaurants, Italian, Asian Fusion and Chinese restaurants can be found here. Free parking are readily available here. Expect RM30 (less than US$10) upwards per person.
- Meishan Szechuan Restaurant, Located within Mutiara Hotel, along Jalan Dato' Sulaiman, it has been serving the local community for over 20 years. Probably one of the best chinese restaurants in Johor Bahru.
Drink
Note that some pubs, discotheques and karaoke lounges around Johor Bahru are owned or frequented by Chinese gangs, and may not take kindly to foreign visitors. Exercise caution, and if you don't feel welcome, take the hint.
- Bert's Keller, Century Garden, Jalan Pelandok. A cosy and intimate, no-nonsense pub with great food, serving the best ox-tail stew in the city and live music on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Duty Free Zone, Stulang Laut. Kill two birds with one stone by having the mee rebus on one end of the Stulang Road and a drink on the other end of Stulang Road at the Duty Free Complex. Foreigners are allowed to buy as much as they want provided they have their passports with them (Subjected to scrutiny at times). You may come at night to savor the many pubs and the hotel bar at Eden hotel as it is located within the Duty Free Zone itself. Please bear in mind that if you do stay in Johor and plan to splurge yourself on drinking here, you may stay at the Eden hotel itself without going out of the compound as things can get a little rowdy during the night.
- TGI Fridays, JOTIC, Jalan Skudai. The American pub chain's sole outlet in southern Malaysia, conveniently located in the same building as the tourist office and right opposite the Abu Bakar Museum. Serves up beer, nachos and similar pub grub in cheezy, air-con surroundings. Draft Tiger RM13.
Sleep
There is plenty of accommodation in JB, just look for signs that say Hotel, Chalets, Budget Accommodations or Rumah Tumpangan. The cost of an average room is around RM50/night, you may get more value for your money outside JB though (e.g. in Johor Jaya, Skudai or Kulai).
Budget
- A' Vista Melati Hotel, No. 16, Jalan Station, ☎ +607 2222 888 (fax: +607 2216 412), [8]. Centrally located 119-room 2-star hotel. Karaoke, spa, business center, conference room. RM 88-.
- Cosmo Inn, Jalan Meldrum, Johor Bahru +60-7276-5522
- Green Homestay, Jalan Dedap 26, Taman Johor Jaya, Johor Near Daiman Bowl Taman Johor Jaya+016-2565521 rm9 per person dorm
- Hotel Kelana, Jalan Skudai, +60-7556-2050 [9]. One of the popular budget hotels near the Malaysian University of Technology (UTM). Rooms start from RM 45, with hot water shower, AC and in-room TV. Some 15km from the Johor Bahru city center but stage buses to the city are aplenty.
- Hotel Seri Malaysia, Jalan Langkasuka, Larkin, +60-7221-1002
- Indah Inn, 47 Jalan Titiwangsa 2, Taman Tampoi Indah, 81200 Johor Bahru +60-7241-1133. Located nearby KIP Mart. Room rates start from RM 40 onwards, no surcharge applied on weekends/public holidays. Room with hot water shower, Air Con and TV.
- Tropical Inn, Jalan Gereja, Johor Bahru +60-7224-7888
Mid Range
- Crystal Crown Hotel, Harimau Tarum, tel. +60-7333-4422. It has pretty decent largish rooms. Rates are available from RM115 upwards depending on promotions. It has a pretty centralised location.
- Hotel Selesa, Jalan Dato' Abdullah Tahir, tel. +60-7332-3999. It was formerly known as Grand Continental Hotel. Rates are from RM115 upwards.
- New York Hotel, Jalan Dato' Abdullah Tahir, tel. +60-7331-1588[10]. One of the relatively- newer hotels in Johor Bahru, located conveniently away from the bustling city yet still within commericial area limits. A favourite among organisations for official functions and events for its location, facilities and service. A business-class hotel ideal for those who opt for tranquil surroundings without being too far from the city. Walking distance from major banks and Plaza Pelangi.
Splurge
- Grand BlueWave Hotel, 9R, Jalan Bukit Meldrum 90300 Johor Bahru, Johor Malaysia, ☎ +607 221 6666 (fax: +607 222 9473), [11]. A grand and stately hotel in the center of Johor Bahru, the Grand BlueWave Hotel is close to some of Malaysia’s famous spots, including shopping complexes City Square, Komtar, and Kotaraya, and is the closest hotel to the railway and taxi station for Singapore-bound taxis. Best rates on official website start at RM185.
- Hyatt Regency, Jalan Sungai Chat, tel. +60-7-222-1234 [12]. Arguably some would say the location of this hotel is poor given that there is very little or no public transportation there. Its rooms are very well maintained and it has one of the best views for hotel chains in Johor Bahru. Rooms from RM200 up.
- Mutiara Hotel, Jalan Dato Sulaiman. tel.+60-7-332-3800. It is the only hotel in Johor Bahru which practises a 24 hours room leasing basis. The time which you checked in would also be the time which you can check out. Though the hotel is probably the first luxury hotel in this city, it has stood the test of time and reasonably well maintained. Rooms from RM200 up.
- Puteri Pacific, Jalan Abdullah Ibrahim, tel. +60-7-223-3333 [13]. Probably the best of JB's hotels. Well equipped rooms with all the necessities. Reasonably well maintained with pool, gym, four restaurants and a newly built adjoining convention centre. Well located in the city centre. Good deals can be found on cheap accommodation websites.
- Sofitel Palm Resort, Jalan Persiaran Golf, Senai, tel. +60-7-5996000, [14]. Located way out to the west of the city, there are only two reasons to stay here: it's a part of the Palm Resort golf club, and it's three minutes away from Senai Airport. Rack rates from RM300, but good discounts are available.
- Zon Hotel, Duty Free Zone, tel. +60-7-221-9999. Previously poorly maintained, but with a recent facelift, renovation and a new image, it is making a comeback. Its greatest advantage is that it is located within a duty free zone. Cigarettes and alcohol are available a lot cheaper than anywhere else in Malaysia.
Stay safe
Safety precautions Tourists should practise some common sense when walking around. A guideline would be as followed:
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Singaporeans like to tell horror stories of crimes in the wild, wild North, and its former Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew once famously claimed that Johor Bahru is a den filled with thieves and robbers -- and was forced to apologise. But in reality, you're unlikely to be a target of violent crime unless you owe large debts to the local drug-dealing syndicates. Petty theft is, however, more of a problem than in Singapore.
Tap water should be boiled before drinking. As a rule of thumb, the general hawker food scene in Johor Bahru is hygienic though certain areas are less so. So keep an eye out for those dirty hawkers who pays very little attention to hygiene.
Contact
- JOTIC. Jalan Ayer Molek, tel. +60-7225-1387. The official Johor tourism information center is a tiny office in a sprawling, empty building, a fair hike from the city center. Closed Sundays.
- Johor National Parks Corporation. JKR 475, Jalan Bukit Timbalan, tel +60-72237471.
Get out
- Desaru - sleepy seaside resort town located on the eastern part of Johor, about 2 hours away by car
- Gunung Ledang - 1276m high mountain near the border of Johor and Malacca states, popular with trekkers, campers and students on field trips
- Gunung Pulai
- Kota Tinggi Waterfall Park
- Kukup - a seaside town along the western part of Johor, well known for its water village which can be rented relatively cheap, and its good and reasonably priced seafood
- Mersing - in the north eastern part of Johor, about 2.5 hours drive from Johor Bahru, and the gateway to the beautiful island of Tioman
- Sea Gypsy Village Resort & Dive Base on Pulau Sibu - the Sea Gypsy boat departs from Tanjong Leman, 2 hours north of Johor Bahru on the Mersing Road. Pulau Sibu Besar is a beautiful undeveloped island. Sea Gypsy is a well established and popular eco resort catering for all pockets that thrives in harmony with the natural surroundings, which makes it well worth a visit. It is nestled in 5 acres of jungle with a pristine sandy beach completely devoid of any hawkers. Diving and snorkeling from Pulau Sibu are excellent as the whole area was turned into a Marine Park in 1993.
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