Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru is a city on Peninsular Malaysia. It is known as the city, which connects Malaysia to Singapore. The proximity to the economically mighty city-state means Johor Bahru is constantly being compared to Singapore. The regional and national government have made moves to clean up and green up this fast growing city. If you are in Singapore and want to get a taste of Malaysia, the convenient trip across the causeway connecting the two cities can be made via bus or car. It is a breeze, except on weekends, when the roads are clogged with Singaporeans headings towards JB.

In many ways Johor Bahru (referred to as JB, in the same way Kuala Lumpur is known as KL), offers things that cannot be found in Singapore. Flights all around insular Southeast Asia are much more reasonably priced in JB than they are in Singapore. The same disparity in price brings Singaporeans across the causeway connection the two cities to shop. JB is littered with shopping centers. Tebrau City is the city’s biggest shopping complex.

Danga Bay Bayleaf Food Park is a great place to find some cheap and tasty eats. This food center is located near the water and it is possible to see Singapore in the distance. This being Malaysia, the influence of Chinese cuisine is very evident. Some of the best Chinese restaurants in town have been there for decades.

Two hours from Johor Bahru is the quiet beach town of Desaru. While there is not much in the way of tourist attractions here, it is a nice place to enjoy some sun and surf without the hoards of visitors descending on your little patch of sand. The nearby museum dedicated to the areas commercial fisherman is an offbeat yet quite interesting place to spend and hour. Desaru is truly off the beaten path. It is used almost exclusively by local residents.

Back in JB, The Sultan of Johor Royal Palace Museum is the best exhibit hall in town. It is in the impressively luxurious residence of the former sultan that dates back to the mid 19th century. The amazing array of decorations makes this one of the few (perhaps the only) can’t-miss sites in JB.

Johor Bahru does not have the energy and hip-ness of Singapore. It is an authentically Malaysian city, though. For a taste of Malaysia not far from Singapore, JB is the place to be. If you are staying for a long time in Singapore, you can take a cue from the locals and head across the causeway for a day of food, sightseeing, and shopping.