How to explore Johor Bahru during your vacation

 Planning a trip to Johor Bahru? Apart from being the capital city of the state of Johor, what's special about it? It's the closest Malaysian city to the Malaysia-Singapore border. At a glance, the city's skyline looks pretty similar to those you would see in neighbouring Singapore. Located at the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula, Johor Bahru acts as a bridge to Singapore, which can be reached by crossing over the straits of Johor. Here are some activities you can enjoy in this city!

Mohd Fazlin Mohd Effendy Ooi from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Legoland Malaysia Resort (23434966341), CC BY 2.0

The Gateway City

One of the most popular reasons why people come to Johor Bahru is actually to pass through the border into neighbouring Singapore. When you depart Malaysia for Singapore from Johor Bahru, you will be able to enter Singapore via the Woodlands Checkpoint. While it's possible to make a day excursion into Singapore, if you have a visa or the eligibility to get the appropriate tourist visa stamped on entry, it's advisable to plan this journey well ahead. This is because it could take around two hours just to clear the checkpoints during peak hours. So, make sure to plan your trip beforehand to make the best use of your limited time. There are several spots you can visit in the northern end of Singapore once you cross over. If you're a wildlife lover, head over to the city of Mandai, which is about a half-hour drive away from the border. It's known for being the entry point to the Singapore Zoo and it's also famous for night safaris.

Amusement Parks

There's plenty to do on the Malaysian side of the border as well. Johor Bahru is a popular tourist destination in Malaysia in its own right. It offers easy access to several amusement parks in the region such as Legoland and Sanrio Hello Kitty Town. The former, Legoland, is situated within Johor Bahru itself, while the latter, Sanrio Hello Kitty Town, can be found in Nusajaya, another city in the state of Johor. However, the two theme parks are within proximity to each other, being only a 10-minute drive away by car. If you decide to vacation in southern Malaysia with your family, it's worth making a day trip over to Johor Bahru. For example, many tourists, drawn by the coastal Desaru attractions that the state of Johor has to offer, decide to stay along the coast bordering the South China Sea at resorts such as Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas. From here, a day trip to the theme parks would take around an hour each way in terms of the commute time.

As if two theme parks simply weren't enough to convince you of visiting Johor Bahru, the city also throws in another theme park to the mix. Can you guess which one it is? Come sunshine or rain, you'll be able to have a merry time with the kids at the indoor Angry Birds Activity Park in Johor Bahru. It's filled with obstacle courses and a vast indoor play area that's sure to keep the children entertained for hours.

Culture and Heritage

Johor Bahru knows how to mix the old in with the new. On the one hand, it boasts an urban skyline similar to Singapore's, as well as several theme parks. On the other hand, you will find several historical and cultural attractions that speak for the culture and heritage of the region. These attractions include the Hakka Heritage Gallery, Istana Bukit Serene, Sultan Abu Baker Mosque, Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple and more! While most of the above are either temples or museums, Istana Bukit Serene is actually a palace. It is renowned for being the official palace of the Sultan of Johor and offers a great view of Singapore from its elevation. While the inside of the palace is not open to the general public, you can take a tour of the gardens that surround it.