Best Things to Do During Your Holiday in Johor Bahru – An Exciting Border Town

Johor Bahru is very popular as a weekend getaway, especially amongst tourists staying at hotels in Desaru. And part of the Desaru Malaysia attractions is the day trips to Johor Bahru, which is less than 2 hours away from lovely coastal hotels like Anantara Desaru Coast Residences. A day trip to Johor Bahru will treat you to many fun experiences. One is a visit to the Johor Zoo. Dating back to 1928, this is one of Southeast Asia's first zoos. The place is home to over a hundred varieties of animals. And you can go there to see flamingos, tigers, lions, gorillas, reptiles, and lots more. Perfect for families on a visit to Johor, the zoo also boasts a range of eateries to keep everyone happy.

To get a feel of what Johor Bahru was like before the tourism boom, you must visit the Jalan Tan Hoik Nee neighbourhood. It's one of the oldest in the city and easily explored with a casual walk through its quarters. The neighbourhood is named after its founding father and is lined with traditional Chinese shop-houses as well as some colonial-style homes. The area is famous for its collection of antique shops too, which are interesting places to browse if you love collectibles. Oh, and the place is good to savour traditional Chinese food. Check out the restaurants and cafés of Jalan Tan Hoik.

This vintage 19th-century temple was constructed as a shrine to the five deities of the Chinese faith. The lovely brick red and white colours of the temple help it to stand out. And indeed, it is treasured as one of the town's oldest buildings. While exploring the fascinating interiors of the temple, you can also check out the displays explaining the arrival of the first Chinese settlers to Johor Bahru.

Istana Besar or the Grand Palace was once the home of the Sultan. The impressive palace was constructed during the reign of Sultan Abu Bakar in 1866. It is a fine amalgamation of western and local Malay architecture. The blue roof and dome located in the centre of the building are its iconic attractions. While here, you must also visit the Royal Abu Bakar Museum. The place houses a range of heirlooms and antiques, which were once owned by the royal family.

Yes! Legoland Malaysia is located in Johor Bahru. The place is a whirlwind of excitement and offers youngsters over 40 thrilling rides to enjoy. From bumper car rides to the popular Laser Quest Maze, the place is perfect for a family to enjoy some time together when visiting Johor Bahru.