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MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE |
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MY
JOHOR |
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Johor Darul Takzim |
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myMalaysiabooks brings you Johor, the southern gateway to
Malaysia. If you are in Singapore, just hop on a bus, ferry or train or
drive a short distance to the state of Johor.
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Johor ...just across the causeway from
Singapore.
A
shopper's paradise for many
Singaporean and travellers from Singapore!!
Capital: Johor Bahru
Population: about 2.8million |
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 Johor is located at the southern end of
the Malaysian peninsular. Off the east coast is the South China Sea
and to the west is the Straits of Melaka (Malacca). It is separated from
Singapore by the Straits of Johor (Johor was formerly called Johore). Learn how to travel
from Singapore
to Johor.
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To many Malaysians, Johor Bahru (better known as JB; formerly Johore Bahru), the capital, is the most
expensive place to live after Kuala Lumpur. Thousands of travellers
especially Singaporeans travel to Johor daily and the causeway (crossing)
is usually jammed during the weekends and public or school holidays (of either
Singapore or Malaysia).
As
Johor Bahru (JB) is the fastest developing town in Malaysia, some may find the
place 'messy' - the city centre is certainly not reflective of cleanliness you
will find elsewhere in Malaysia. Also be extra cautious of touts and snatch thieves
when moving around. However, shopping in JB, Malaysia is a delight for those who
find the Singapore dollar too high, as you pay in Ringgit. Prices at
shopping places are reasonable (though in JB, things are slightly more expensive
than other parts on Malaysia), but it's still cheap
when compared to Singapore. (S$1 is
approx. equal to 2.3 ringgit). Many Singaporeans even do their routine
weekend marketing in JB, or go to Malaysia to enjoy cheaper seafood.
Visitors should venture out of the city to discover what this big
state has to offer. The best of Johor is outside the city! Travel to the outskirt, to the
fishing villages, fruit farms and islands off the coast of Johor.
You will certainly enjoy cheaper food and fruits.
(Malaysian food)
The state is known for eco-tourism, agro-tourism and
sports-tourism. The Endau-Rompin
Forest Park is one of the world's oldest tropical rainforests
and
offers adventurous travellers a fabulous escape from the city. The state
has over 30 beautiful tropical islands many untouched, a great place for
relaxation.
As the southern gateway into peninsular
Malaysia, you travel from Johor by air, road or rail to the other states.
Free road Map of Johor and other
states in Malaysia
How to travel from
Singapore to Johor
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Johor Bahru |
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Grand Palace and the Royal Abu Bakar Museum Set up in 1982, the museum houses various prized collections of the Johor royal
family.
Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque Built in 1893, this beautiful mosque can
accommodate some 2000 worshipers.
Sultan Ibrahim Building Built in 1940, this
imposing structure is a symbol of the state's administration, housing
many government departments within.
Shopping in Johor Bahru
JB is still a great place to shop with
numerous shopping complexes and boasts one of the largest and busiest Pasar Malam or Night Market in Malaysia (held every Tuesday at Taman Johor Jaya - once a week).
When you compare prices in JB and Singapore, you will find that you can
get the same item for about half the price - especially if you are looking
for fashion items or local goods. There are several shopping malls and hypermarkets in Johor. You can
travel by bus easily to Johor Bahru from Singapore. There is one at least every 15
minutes crossing the causeway. Shops and Shopping mall in the city is just
adjacent to the customs and immigration checkpoint at Johor.
JUSCO Tebrau City at Jalan Desa Tebrau,
is the largest mall in JB, with a supermarket and numerous retail shops
selling upper end fashion goods such as, MNG, Esprit, Dorothy Perkin's.
Its also has food outlets, departmental store, cineplex and
entertainment all under one roof. A taxi ride from the causeway
customs checkpoint may costs over RM20. (This is near the Johor Jaya
pasar Malam location)
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Shopping for bargains and gifts online
shop safely at eBay
myMalaysia Store |
Plaza Pelangi – a good place to shop with numerous shops and eateries;
about 10 minutes drive from the causeway checkpoint.
The Holiday Plaza –located in Jalan Dato Sulaiman has shops and eateries. Taxi fare here
from the customs checkpoint is about RM5.
Kompleks Lien Hoe - 5km north of Johor Bahru, just off Jalan Tebrau.
This is a popular budget shopping centre with department stores,
retail outlets and restaurants.
City Square - located along Jalan Wong Ah Fook at JB city centre, jt a
short walk from the Malaysia customs
(causeway). It’s a great place to shop, with a supermarket, other
stores, small shops and a food court.
Johor Bahru Duty Free Complex
or ZON - the largest duty free complex in Malaysia,
located 2km from the causeway. The ZON is accessible by a daily
international ferry service from Tanah Merah in Singapore,
and Batam and Bintan in Indonesia.
Plaza Kotaraya – at Jalan Kuning/Jalan Trus, 1km north of Johor Bahru
Immigration complex. The 5 star Pan Pacific hotel is next to it.
Pasar Malam (Night Market) - There
are night markets all over Johor but the largest and most popular is
the once a week (Tuesday) pasar malam at Johor Jaya. Johor Jaya
and the nearby areas
is the centre of shopping in Johor these days. This sub-urban area -
has also supermarkets, shopping mall, hypermarket, wholesale
warehouses, huge food courts, coffee
shops and a wet market.
What is cheaper than Singapore?
Fruits and foodstuff Between JB and Singapore,
Johor Bahru is certainly the best place to get tropical fruits during the fruit season
(Jul-Aug), local food
and shop for all
sorts of bargains. Most Singaporean may complain about JB but they
venture into JB to enjoy cheap shopping - for groceries (cooking
oil, spices, flour, instant noodles, etc) and anything made in
Malaysia. If you are looking to enjoy a great dinner at half of what
you spend in Singapore, restaurants here cater to Singaporeans -
that's why Malaysian visitors here find food rather expensive.
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Clothes and fashion goods You can get an average priced
tee-shirt and jeans in Singapore ----at half the price in Malaysia.
PVC Fashion bags also costs about half the price. Costume jewellery
are also cheaper. The best time to shop is the mid-year sales and
holiday sales in Malaysia.
Shopping
in Malaysia
My
Amazon stores - selected items
My Malaysia store - Books,
local craft
Chinavasion -
electronic product at wholesale prices! |
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Tips and Advice
Sharing with you some selected free downloads and info websites
Free household tips:
OneSmallHome
Free calendar: myMalaysiabooks
calendar
Free hotel search tool:
HotelsCombined.com
Free software and downloads: Free
stuff at mymalaysiabooks
Free maps and brochures: Maps and
brochures of Malaysia and Singapore |
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Attractions of Johor |
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Outside Johor Bahru
Endau Rompin National Park encompasses the
watershed of the rivers Endau in Johor and Rompin in Pahang. It covers
some 488 sq. kilometres of forest and is gazetted as the country's
second national park.
The park is the perfect haven for adventure
seekers. The park is closed during the rainy season i.e. from November
to March. No fishing is allowed during the spawning season from
September to October.
Salt licks around Gunung Tiong offer a worthwhile look at wild animals such
as deers, elephants, boars, leopards, etc. Get entry permits to visits the park from:
National Parks (Johor) Corporation, JKR 475 Bukit Timbalan, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor.
The easiest way to explore the place is to book through a local travel
agency.
Kota Tinggi waterfall ,
well-liked locals as well as visitors, is located 15km north
of Kota Tinggi (south eastern part of the state).
The 34km high waterfalls
is a popular picnic spot. Nearby is the
famous beach resort of Desaru .
Desaru encompasses Kota
Tinggi Waterfall and the stretch of sandy beaches on the south eastern
part of Johor. The beach areas are Balau Beach, Batu Layar Beach
and the Desaru Beach. The 17km long shoreline of Desaru Beach is
breathtaking and is a popular place for swimming, surfing and other
sea sports.
Wet World of Batu Pahat This
water park covers an area of 44 acres is just right for the kids. There
are water rides, swirling pools, paddle pools and even fishing.
website:
www.wetworld.com.my
Kampongs and Fruit farms
Travel to the district of Kluang to
visit the country's largest pineapple plantation, of to the fishing
villages along the west coast such as Kukup or Mersing. Or visit the
fruit farms during the fruit season - try the Ayer Papan plantation
near Mersing during the durian season.
Check out also Malaysian food
Other towns
Air Hitam - a place to go if
you are hunting for ceramic wares.
Mersing - access to the many islands of Johor. Mersing Tourist Information Centre (METIC) is at Tel: 6
07-7995212.
Venture further to.........Other
Nearby destinations in West Malaysia |
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How to get to Johor |
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By air
There is an airport at Senai, near Johor Bahru. Daily
flights are available from Kuala Lumpur and Penang to Johor. - The
airlines that flies daily to Johor are Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia and
firefly. You can also travel from Johor daily on Malaysia Airlines and
Air Asia to other Malaysian states. Taxis are the best option from the
airport to the city or to Singapore Airport coaches also takes you to the city but you may have to wait.
For details check:
Malaysia transport page
Singapore to
Malaysia
Senai Airport
(external site)
By roads
Johor is linked by roads to Singapore and the rest of
Peninsular Malaysia. The North-south expressway cuts the length of the state
(refer to
Map of Johor) and goes into
Singapore through the 2nd link and to the city of Johore Baru to
Singapore. The causeway at Johor Bahru city
centre that goes into Singapore is the busiest crossing. Buses or coach
services ply between Malaysia from Singapore daily. You can catch a bus almost every
fifteen minutes from Karanji or Jurong East (Singapore) to Johor Bahru.
Bus travel is the cheapest transport between Malaysia and Singapore.
Passengers have to disembark on both sides of the causeway.
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Express buses and tour buses take you daily from Johor to many major towns in Malaysia. Express buses from major towns in West Malaysia,
stops at Larkin Bus Terminal in Johor
Bahru. From here you can catch local buses (Malaysia yellow bus or
Singapore SBS bus) to other parts of Johor or into Singapore. (Details
in our page on
From Singapore to
Malaysia).
Driving round the state is easy as the network of roads in the
state linking towns and villages are well-paved. However, take care when
driving through villages (travel tips).
You can call for a Singapore cab
to take you into Johore Bahru and taxis from Johor going into Singapore
are available at Sentral Bus terminal or Kotaraya Terminal, JB city or at the Senai
airport. However, it is cheaper to take the taxi to the customs checkpoint
on both sides of the causeway and take the bus through the causeway
(from checkpoint to checkpoint of Malaysia Singapore)
Johor Malaysia Singapore links
Johor-Singapore Causeway, built in 1923, is a 1,056 metre causeway that links Johor Bahru (Johor), Malaysia to Woodlands, Singapore. This link across the
Strait of Johor serves as a road, rail and pedestrian link, and also
carries water piping line into Singapore. Over 60,000 vehicles crosses
the causeway daily. This link goes into the heart of Johor Bahru and joins
the Federal highway.
Malaysia-Singapore Second Link (Laluan Kedua Malaysia-Singapura or
Tuas Second Link), of 1,920 m length, opened in January 1998. This
bridge from Johor to Singapore was built to reduce traffic congestion at
the causeway. It is a dual-three lane carriageway linking Kampong Ladang,
Tanjung Kupang in Johor to Tuas, Singapore. (Second link website:
Second Link) The
link takes you into the North-south expressway.
By rail
Trains on the Malayan Railways takes you from Tanjong
Pagar, Singapore into Malaysia. Singaporeans even travel by this train
to shop in Johor Bahru. The railway line is linked right up to the Thai
railways. the railway station in JB is in the city centre, just next to
the Customs and Immigration checkpoint in Malaysia.
By sea
You can travel by sea from Singapore and Indonesia to Johor
The Johor Bahru International Ferry Terminal, located in the Zon duty free
complex is about 2 km east of the JB-Singapore causeway.
Ferries in Johor go to Batam and Bintan, Indonesia and Tanah Merah ferry checkpoint
in Singapore. For information on these services, contact Tenggara
Senandung; tel: +60-7-2211677.
Ferries from Singapore:
 Tanah Merah
Ferry Terminal (Singapore) to JB
International Ferry Terminal/ZON Ferry Terminal (Johor Bahru)
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (Singapore)to & Sebana Cove (Johor);
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (Singapore)to Stulang Ferry
Terminal in Johor Baru
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (Singapore) to Tanjung
Pengelih, Johor
Harbourfront terminal to Sebana
Cove (Johor);
Changi Ferry Terminal (near
hawker centre) to Tanjung Belungkor or Desaru (Johor);
Changi Point Ferry
Terminal to Penggerang (south
east Johor).
Ferries to islands of Johor
Mersing Jetty provides access to the Rawa, Pemanggil, Dayang, Aur, and Besar Islands. Pulau Tinggi, Apil, Sibu Besar and Sibu
Tengah is accessible from Tanjung Leman jetty (60km south of Mersing).
Ferries to Indonesia
- hourly ferry from JB
International Ferry Terminal/ ZON Ferry Terminal to Batam or Bintan
islands
More on how to travel and transport options at
Transport in Malaysia
How to
travel from Johor to Singapore
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Where to Stay |
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