Joanna James
Johor Bahru is a dynamic Malaysian city that shares borders with Singapore. Like many other cities in Southeast Asia, Johor Bahru brims with historical sites, diners and a lively street food scene.
If you are uninitiated in the ways of Hakka speaking Malaysians, visit the Hakka Heritage Gallery for a better understanding. Discover the fundamentals that were intricate with traditional Hakka people such as rattan furniture, old typewriters and farming paraphernalia. The entrance fee per person is USD 1.25.
For a nature lover who loves hiking and walking among tropical trees, Pulai Waterfall is the perfect snippet of nature. It is a two-hour hike to the base of the waterfall – if you are up for a bit of swimming – the water is perfectly clean, and the fall is canopied by towering tropical trees giving you the perfect shade.
Dating back to 1928, Johor Zoo is one of the first such establishments in Southeast Asia. For a small entry fee, you get to see numerous forms of wildlife including lions, elephants, gorillas, flamingos and so on. Inside the reptile house, you can see reptiles that are endemic to Asia. In case you are feeling a bit hungry, there are small cafes strewn all over the place.
The former royal residence was built in 1866 during Sultan Abu Bakar's reign. The beautiful architecture of the palace – which was influenced by Western and Malay architectural style – is the main reason why the site is a tourist magnet. Inside the palace is a museum boasting an array of antiques that may have belonged to the royal family.
Johor Bahru is an extremely versatile tourist destination – in that it provides the visitors with the best of Malaysian feed at hotels like Silka Johor Bahru. If you are still undecided as to whether or not you should go to Johor Bahru – this should be reason enough. Among the restaurants in the city, you can find the best restaurant in JB - which of course is up to your personal preference – and sample tasty Malaysian recipes.
Your trip to Johor Bahru wouldn't be complete without a bit shopping. Certainly not as dynamic as Bangkok or Singapore when it comes to it – but Johor Premium Outlets contend shoulder to shoulder with other cutting-edge shopping malls in other Asian cities.
The art gallery is one good example of the city's versatility. The touristy appeal is made perfect by the contribution of the gallery. The gallery is housed inside a building that goes as far back as 1910. There are ceramics, old military weaponry and Islamic calligraphy for you to make a study of.
Made of two pillars that taper off into the sky, the War Memorial was built in 1962 as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. Located on Jalan Abu Bakar, the memorial compliments the city with its lovely views across the Strait of Johor.
Inspired by Guru Bhagawan Sittar in Bangkok, the Glass Temple houses over 300,000 pieces of coloured glass. The temple is a breath-taking sight adorned with gleaming glass ornaments.
The city is fringed by the Strait of Johor. The result is the long stretch of sand that rims the coastline. If you want some time away from all that bustle of the city, Desaru Beach is the right place for you. You can have a go at banana boat riding or jet skiing to jazz up your trip.
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