 Johor
is the southern gateway into Peninsular Malaysia and is
linked to Singapore by road and rail. Its proximity to
Singapore has made it a popular destination among Singaporeans
as well as other international tourists visiting the island
republic. It is the only state in the country that boasts
of a coastline stretching along the straits of Melaka
to the South China Sea. The state is endowed with an abundance
of natural attractions that provide numerous opportunities
for a wide range of outdoor recreational and leisure activities.
When in Johor Bharu, the capital of the state, take time
off to tour the city or shop around. Interesting spots
are the Royal Museum, the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, the
Grand Palace, the Johor Art Gallery, the Mawar Handicraft
Centre and Dataran Bandaraya built in Bahru's declaration
as a city.
Souvenir and handicraft stores and modern shopping complexes
all offer a multitude of items at reasonable prices.
 Those
who yearn for jungle adventures will find the Endau Rompin
National Park in the north eastern border of the state
to be a haven for unspoilt nature. The park is home to
many unique and endemic varieties of tropical plants and
visitors have reported occasional wildlife sightings.
The popular Kota Tinggi waterfalls, 56km north of Johor
Bahru is a refreshing spot for picnics. A drive through
the large tracts of oil palm and coffee plantations in
Klung makes a pleasant and eye-opening experience. Head
for Kukup, a picturesque fishing village on the south-west
coast and visit its fascinating fish farms. Round off
your trip by stopping at the town to taste the fresh and
delicious seafood offerings. Or visit the mangrove swamps
of Tanjung Piai to see exotic aquatic life.
Johor's premier beach resort is at Desaru, a magnificent
25km stretch of sandy beach flanking the South China Sea.
The resort has three hotels and is just the right place
to unwind and indulge in a host of carefree activities
such as fishing, snorkeling, windsurfing, boating, canoeing,
swimming and jungle-trekking. Off Johor's eastern coast,
amid the clear blue waters of South China Sea are the
islands of Pulau Rawa, Pulau Sibu, Pulau Aur, Pulau Besar
and Pulau Pemanggil. All these idyllic islands have accommodation
and offer excellent scuba diving, snorkeling, wind-surfing,
sailing and other activities.
Getting
There
Air: Sultan Ismail International Airport
Rail: Johao Bahru Station, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak
Road: Bus station, Jalan Getak Merah. For road travelers,
a network of roads exits from the North-South Highway
to tourist destinations in Johor.
Johor-Singapore links: The Johor-Singapore Causeway
with road/rail line.
Second Link Bridge links Singapore to Tanjung Kupang
in southwestern Johor
Sea: Ferry links regularly between Tanjung Belungkor
in Johor and Changi Point in Singapore.
Capital:
Johor Bahru
Built ny Sultan Abu Bakar in 1855, the pleasant coastal
city has a number of attractions like Palace Grounds
and Johor Lama.
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