Johor derives its name from ‘Jauhar’, an Arabic word that means precious stones. The southern gateway to Malaysia, Johor is linked to Singapore via the Causeway. The state has an international airport, a dynamic economic growth corridor and three major ports. It is also where the southernmost tip of Asia, Tanjung Piai, is located. The state has long enthralled visitors with its diverse range of attractions, ranging from ancient rainforests, pristine islands to world-renowned golf courses, family theme parks and shopping malls. The state capital, Johor Bahru, is famous for its historical buildings and impressive architecture. Let Johor be your gateway to a world of fascination and adventure.
The internationally-famed Legoland® Malaysia boasts more than 40 rides, shows and attractions. With seven themed areas such as The Beginning, Lego® Technic, Lego Kingdoms, Imagination, Lego City, Land of Adventure and Miniland, this is an inspirational land where the children are the heroes. The newly-opened Sea Life Malaysia offers more great fun.
Set within a beautiful outdoor setting, this major shopping hub is the place for competitively priced designer and branded items. Get everything from men’s and ladies’ apparel, footwear, bags as well as fashion accessories. Since opening in December 2011, it has drawn thousands of shoppers from both sides of the Causeway.
Housing over 100 varieties of seasonal and non-seasonal tropical fruits and over 10 plant species, the 100-acre Desaru Fruit Farm gives you the chance to sample a variety of juicy and refreshing tropical fruits such as rambutan, mango, pineapple, ciku, mangosteen and durian.
Tanjung Piai National Park encompasses over 926 hectares of rainforest, including 526 hectares of coastal mangroves. Among its inhabitants are dusky leaf monkeys, long-tailed macaques, mud skippers as well as rare bird species and migratory birds. A monument here marks Tanjung Piai as the southernmost tip of Mainland Asia.
Covering an area of approximately 92,000 hectares, Endau Rompin National Park is a nature reserve teeming with exotic flora and fauna. Straddling across two states, Johor and Pahang, Endau Rompin is the second largest national oark after Taman Negara. It derives its name from the rivers of Endau and Rompin. The park is home to a vast species of birds, mammals, frogs, insects as well as endemic and rare varieties of orchids, herbs, medicinal plants and trees. Hikers may chance
upon leaf monkeys, long-tail macaques, white-handed gibbons and birds. The pristine jungles are home to elephants, deer, tapirs and the occasional tiger and leopard. For adventure lovers, the scenic Buaya Sangkut waterfalls and rapids are not-to-be-missed destinations. There are two entry points to the national park from Johor; one through Kampung Peta and the other at Kampung Selai. To protect the pristine environment, only limited areas of the park are open for ecotourism. Entry to the park requires a special permit from the Johor National Park Corporation.
Pulau Kukup is a 647-hectare, uninhabited mangrove island. Acknowledged as a RAMSAR site (Wetland of International Importance), it is surrounded by 800 hectares of mudflats and is reputedly one of the largest-of-its-kind. It was declared a national park in 1997, in order to preserve the island’s diverse variety of wetland flora and fauna.
Located in Mersing, the marine park is made up of a cluster of six islands – Pulau Aur, Pulau Tinggi, Pulau Pemanggil, Pulau Besar, Pulau Rawa and Pulau Sibu. Covering over 8,000 hectares, the marine park is characterised by crystal-clear waters, powdery-white sandy beaches and diverse marine life. Spend a relaxing day on the beach or go snorkelling to admire the undersea paradise.
The legendary Gunung Ledang – otherwise known as Mount Ophir – is known for its captivating natural beauty as well as the legends and myths surrounding it. The trail up the mountain is a spectacular experience as it is dotted with cascading waterfalls, flowing streams and variety of flora and fauna. On a clear day, stunning views of the Straits of Malacca and its surroundings can be seen from the top.
Desaru Coast is a premium integrated destination resort in the south. The beachfront is dotted with numerous luxury resorts, one of the world’s largest waterparks (Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast) and championship golf courses. Desaru also has a public beach that is popular among weekend holiday-makers for its water sports and other fun activities.
Its 26km coastline is perfect for a relaxing swim, canoeing, water-skiing and catamaran sailing. Looking for something out of the ordinary? Try flying an ultra-light aircraft or take part in a go-kart race. This is also the place to enjoy the best of nature – try jungle-trekking, horseback riding or 4×4 adventures in the surrounding greenery. Further away, Pantai Tanjung Buloh in Sedili invites with its calm waters and rustic views
Covering an area of 3,200 hectares, this is the place to see, touch, smell and taste nearly 150 varieties of spices and herbs from around the world. Herbs are grown free of chemicals and pesticides. Besides delving deeper into the world of herbs and their properties, visitors can also enjoy a relaxing time at the spa or sauna, try out herb-infused culinary delights at the restaurant, go camping, jungle-trekking or kayaking.
Come and experience modern farm life at the 100-acre UK Farm. With a breeding capacity of 4,000, it is believed to be the largest goat and sheep farm in Malaysia. As it is located within a resort,
it provides facilities such as a restaurant, farm mart, conference room, chalet, dormitory, barbeque area, open stage, campsite and karaoke. Activities here include guided tours of the farm and visits to the Jakun Orang Asli Village, Herb Sanctuary, Passion fruit factory, Ostrich Park, mushroom and vegetable farm as well as the Mini Zoo.
Located about 34 km from Muar and 27 km from Batu Pahat, this homestay comprises 12 villages. Visitors can take in the clean air and rustic beauty of the landscape and learn about agricultural activities in the oil palm and pineapple plantations. Try making traditional snacks and cakes or watch cultural performances such as kuda kepang and barongan.
Set against the backdrop of a Malaysian village, the waterpark consists of wet and dry rides for all ages. Have fun at the Tidal Wave Beach – one of the world’s biggest wave pools – or enjoy the Kids Ahoy, Riptide, Kraken’s Revenge, Surf Wall and many more. This park is situated within Desaru Coast, a premium integrated destination resort.
At the Zenxin Organic Park, you get to see for yourself how organic vegetables are grown. Apart from that, you can also take part in recreational activities such as cycling, walking tours around the park or simply feed fish at the pond. There is a park café, a flower nursery and a farm mart, which is a one-stop organic food shop stocked with a full range of products.
Johor Bahru
Kota Tinggi
Batu Pahat
Kluang
Mersing
Muar
Pontian
Homestay
Kulai
Islands
Tangkak
Popular shopping spots:
Don’t forget to sample the mouthwatering spread of delicacies such as laksa johor, nasi briyani gam, lontong and mee bandung. Other Johorean specialities not-to-be- missed include mee rebus, kacang pool and otak-otak.” Seafood lovers should head for Kukup, about 10 minutes’ drive from Tanjung Piai, the southernmost tip of mainland Asia. Try these authentic local favourites:
This scrumptious blend of noodles with fish curry gravy is a Johor speciality. It is garnished with pickled white radish, onions, bean sprouts, mint leaves, coriander, cucumber and added with a dash of lime juice and sambal belacan (chilli paste) on the side.
Unlike other varieties, the nasi briyani gam is cooked by sealing both the rice and meat in a pot using starch or ‘gum’ so that the meat juices infuse the rice grains. It is then eaten with vegetable dalcha, pickles and chutney. This rice dish originates from Batu Pahat.
Another Johor speciality is mee bandung, a noodle dish that is eaten with beef slices, prawns, dried shrimps, tomatoes, a boiled egg and a sprinkle of crushed peanuts.
First time visitors should try this unique dish – rice cubes eaten with a rich vegetable gravy. The gravy has a coconut milk base and contains a generous assortment of vegetables, soybean cake and anchovies. This wholesome meal is complemented by flavoursome chilli paste.
Kukup is famous for its fresh and tasty Chinese as well as Malay seafood. Select from an assortment of fish, crab, squid or cockles and have them grilled, steamed or fried. Have your meal while enjoying a scenic view of the sea. Nearby is Kukup Island, the world’s second largest mangrove island.
Apart from Kuala Lumpur and other parts of the peninsula, Johor is also accessible from Sabah and Sarawak by air. You can fly from Johor to several destinations in Malaysia from Senai International Airport, 32 km from Johor Bahru.
Johor Bahru is 330 km or a four-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur via the North-South Expressway. Both the Johor-Singapore Causeway and the Second Link Expressway connect Singapore to Johor as well as the rest of the peninsula. Bus services to Johor from major cities and towns in the peninsula are available throughout the day. Tickets must be purchased early during peak seasons.
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) or the national railway connects Johor to other states in the peninsula and also Singapore. JB Sentral Railway Station is the most southern station in the country. Other stations include Kempas Baru, Kluang, Kulai, Labis, Paloh, Renggam and Segamat.
Tanjung Belungkor is the jumping off point to Singapore by ferry. Ferry services are also available from Batam and Tanjung Pinang in Indonesia to Johor Bahru International Ferry Terminal.
You can get a taxi at the Larkin Taxi Station, bus stations, hotels and shopping complexes. It is advisable to request that the taxi meter be switched on or agree on the fare before you begin the ride. Alternatively, you can rent a car from car rental companies at the airport and bus stations. E-hailing services are also available in Malaysia.
Bus services to various destinations in Johor as well as other towns in the peninsula are available at the Larkin Bus Terminal.
For more information, contact: | |
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Tourism Malaysia Southern Region Office | +607 222 3590 / 3591 |
Tourism Malaysia Tourist Information Centre:
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+607-222 3590 / 3591 +607-222 3590 / 1 / 2 |
There is so much to do and so many places to see in Malaysia. To make sure that you don’t miss anything, use this handy map to navigate your way across the country and find great places to visit.
Perlis is the northern gateway to Malaysia. Despite its small size, Perlis has an abundance of attractions that make it a great destination.
Kedah is Malaysia’s largest paddy producing state. Delve into history in Lembah Bujang, the site of an ancient civilisation or relax in Langkawi, a world-famous resort island.
The site of a UNESCO World Heritage City, Penang is a holiday paradise with fabulous beach resorts and eclectic cultures. It is also the undisputable haven for foodies.
A tin-rich state in its heyday, Perak beckons with a range of sights and experiences. The state’s top attractions include Pangkor, an island getaway and Pangkor Laut, an internationally-acclaimed private island.
Hailed as the Cradle of Malay culture, Kelantan is a destination teeming with age-old arts, crafts and pastimes.
Beautiful islands, culture and nature give Terengganu its magical appeal. Dive, snorkel, sunbathe at the islands or journey to its hinterland to experience the best of nature.
The largest state in the peninsula beckons nature-enthusiasts with exciting eco-adventures. From Taman Negara, the oldest national park in the country, to the idyllic Tioman Island, Pahang is simply mesmerising.
Malaysia’s dynamic capital city is bustling with attractions and activities. Explore the city by day and night.
Selangor is home to the country’s main airport KLIA, and the main gateway by sea, Port Klang. It is also the country’s most developed state with a long list of shopping malls and themed attractions.
Putrajaya, the administrative capital of Malaysia, is a well-planned township with impressive buildings, verdant parks, scenic lakes and beautiful bridges.
From the majestic height of Mount Kinabalu, Southeast Asia’s tallest peak, to the stunning depths of the world-famous Sipadan Island, Sabah is a magnificent nature destination.
Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysia, has a vast wilderness that contains numerous national parks including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mulu National Park.
Located off the northwestern coast of Borneo, this island thrills visitors with its wreck diving sites, historical relics and duty-free shopping.
The birth place of the nation, Melaka is a treasure trove of history and heritage. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage City for vestiges of the past.
Known for its fascinating Minangkabau culture and a unique social system, Negeri Sembilan is the place to learn age-old customs and traditions.
Visit Malaysia’s southern gateway, for a family vacation at the theme parks or escape to its islands for an unforgettable holiday.
Enjoy birdwatching at 55 Important Bird Areas (IBA) throughout the country, tucked away at various habitats such as islands, coasts or lush lowland and montane rainforests.
Love the cool highlands? Find refreshing destinations to unwind in Malaysia. From French-themed settings, energetic amusement parks to forest-clad hills, there is something for everyone.
Find the fun and thrill that you are looking for in Malaysia. Meet your favourite characters, plunge down the world’s longest water slide or enjoy the rides and games!