Horizon Hills Golf Course – This is a premier golf course with a challenging 18-hole course featuring sand bunks and waterways.
Forest City Golf Course – Want to experience a game of “dessert golf”? This unique golf course is made to look like a desert with splashes of green in a vast expanse of sand.
3. Chill Out On Beanbags While Watching Movies At AEON Bukit Indah
About 20 minutes’ drive away from Legoland Malaysia, AEON Bukit Indah has the only Beanieplex in the whole of Johor Bahru!
Beanieplex is a special cinema configuration where the seats are actually bean bags!
Which are a lot more comfortable than conventional cinema seats!
Note: To get the whole beanbag seat to yourself, you have to pay tickets for 2 people as they are only sold in pairs!
6.3 Wang Jia Therapy & Reflexology Bukit Indah (王足部落)
7. See The Brilliant Eco Concept Of Forest City For Yourself
It takes just 20 minute’s drive from Legoland Malaysia to Johor Bahru’s ambitious development project, Forest City which spans over 4 man-made islands.
Forest City looks just as it sounds as it innovatively incorporates urban buildings with nature.
All transport including car parks will be underground to minimize congestion and noise.
Designed by the Chinese real estate giant, Country Garden, this will be a city like no other in Malaysia and Singapore!
8. Enjoy Extreme Sport At X Park Sunway Iskandar
If you still have boundless energy even after a day in Legoland Malaysia, you can go to X Park JB in Sunway Iskandar, another outdoor activities in JB and it’s one of the best things to do near Legoland Malaysia!
Desaru is a perfect place for weekend getaway from Singapore.
The distance from Singapore to Desaru is the shortest and there’s a whole bunch of things that families can do together!
Where else can you visit a fruit farm, eat the best Desaru food, stand on an ostrich egg at Malaysia’s largest ostrich farm and learn about crocodiles at the Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm all in the same weekend?
Do some shopping at good old Jonker Street in between snacking on Malacca’s best food.
Else, you can take a moment to do some people-watching at any Melaka café.
What To Do At Malacca:
Get a one-of-a-kind printed tee at the Orangutan House
Delight your palate with Nyonya food
Visit a heritage museum like the Baba and Nyonya Museum
Walk among the ruins of St Paul’s church upon a hilltop
Take the cliché cruise down Malacca river
2D1N Malacca Itinerary:
Day 1:
Singapore → Malacca (Check-in) → Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum → A’famosa Historic Fort → St Paul’s Church → Red Square → Baba and Nyonya Museum → Melaka River Cruise → Jonker Street Night Market
Share diving tales with other travellers over a bonfire or drinks at a beachside pub
Visit the turtle hatchery at Juara Village
Go island hopping
See turtles at the Marine Park Centre in Tekek Village
Do some jungle hiking
Play an energetic round of beach volleyball
Also read: [ad_2]
How To Get To Tioman Island From Singapore:
Step1:
Option 1: Private Car Service
Depending on the traffic at the Johor-Singapore causeway, it can take 2 to 4 hours to reach Mersing Jetty.
Allow another 30 minutes’ drive if you wish to get to Tanjung Gemok Jetty instead.
[ad_2]
Need a direct service from your house in Singapore to either jetty? Make an online booking with SGMYTAXI.
Option 2: Bus (4-6 hours)
Departure Location: Plaza Singapore, Bugis MRT, Singapore Flyer, Golden Mile Tower
Arrival Location: Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty
Step 2:
Ferry: 1.5-2 hours
Departure Location: Mersing Jetty or Tanjung Gemok Jetty
Arrival Location (Tioman Island):
Genting Pier
Tekek Pier
Air Batang Pier
Salang Pier
Paya Pier
Juara Pier
4. Rawa Island, Johor
Rawa Island is the more exclusive alternative to Tioman Island.
You really get a sense of strong island vibes here!
The journey from Singapore to Rawa Island is shorter too and become a popular place for a weekend getaway near Singapore!
Both resorts on the island offer Rawa Island packages that include the speedboat ride from the jetty to the respective resort!
What To Do on Rawa Island:
Go for a walk around or to the top of the island
Play on the 2 oceans slides in front of Rawa Island Resort
Enjoy a special island cocktail
Join in the weekend parties at Alang’s Rawa Resort
Snorkel straight from the beach
Island hop to Mensirip Island
Option 2: Bus (4-6 hours)
Departure Location: Plaza Singapore, Bugis MRT, Singapore Flyer, Golden Mile Tower
Arrival Location: Mersing Jetty
Step 2:
Speedboat: 20 minutes
Departure Location: Mersing Jetty
Arrival Location: Alang’s Rawa Resort or Rawa Island Resort
5. Legoland, Malaysia
Travel time from Singapore to Legoland can vary dramatically depending on the date that you choose and how you plan to go!
But once you get there, you will have an awesome time with your family trying out all the rides!
This is truly an unspoilt paradise! They don’t even have restaurants and shops here!
If you’re planning a honeymoon surprise or a private function, consider Sibu Island!
What To Do On Sibu Island:
Visit a kelong (offshore fishing platform)
Play a rousing game of beach volleyball
Engage in some water activities like canoeing, sailing, fishing, snorkeling, etc
Charter an island-hopping trip
Go for a jungle trek
3D2N Itinerary For Sibu Island:
Day 1:
Get to Tanjung Leman Jetty → Stretch out your legs with a hike → Enjoy your resort
Image credits: saripacifica.com
Day 2:
Go island-hopping → Snorkeling by the shipwrecks that dot the waters here!
Day 3:
Squeeze in another swim → Check out → Singapore
How To Get To Sibu Island From Singapore:
Step 1:
Option 1: Private Car Service to Tanjung Leman Jetty
Roughly 2 hours away from Singapore, you can save a lot of time if you decide to drive or take a private car service instead of the bus!
With SGMYTAXI, you can hire private car service at reasonable rates!
Option 2: Bus (4-5 hours)
Departure Location: Queen Street Bus Terminal
Arrival Location: Kota Tinggi or Mersing
[ad_2]
Note: No direct service to Tanjung Leman Jetty, closest stop is Kota Tinggi. From then on, you have to take a taxi (1hour, 20 minutes) to Tanjung Leman Jetty.
Step 2:
Boat: 20 to 45 minutes
Departure Location: Tanjung Leman Jetty
Arrival Location: Sibu Island
7. Endau Rompin National Park, Johor
Endau Rompin National Park (Known locally as Taman Negara Endau Rompin) is 870 square kilometres’ of pristine tropical rainforest with multitudes of animals and plants.
An indigenous tribe called the Jakun live here too.
Nature lovers and adventure seekers will not want to miss out on this place!
What To Do At Endau Rompin National Park:
Set up camp in one of the designated camping sites
Jungle trek to a waterfall
Mountain climb
Witness the orang asli way of life
Tube down a river
Go on a night walk
2D1N Endau Rompin National Park Itinerary:
Day 1:
Singapore → Endau Rompin → Check in to your chosen campsite → Start a hike → Go for a swim → Join a night walk
Day 2:
4WD off-road adventure excursion → Float on a tube at the river → Back to Singapore
How To Get To Endau Rompin National Park From Singapore:
Option 1: Private Car Service
There are many entrances to the national park. With a private car service, you can sit back and relax all through the ~3 hour drive.
These are the available routes:
Singapore to Endau Rompin National Park (Peta) office in Kahang
Singapore to Endau Rompin National Park (Selai) office in Bekok
Hop on a 4WD from either office to enter the park.
Departure Location: Queen Street Bus Terminal
Transit Location: Johor Larkin Terminal
Arrival Location: Terminal Bus Kluang
Note: When you reach Kluang, you still have to take a taxi for 2.5 hours to reach Endau Rompin National Park.
[ad_2]
8. Kota Tinggi, Johor
Can’t get enough of the great outdoors?
Kota Tinggi has some hiking spots that present varying degrees of difficulty. And did we mention Kota Tinggi waterfalls?
The trip from Singapore to Kota Tinggi doesn’t take too long either!
Things To Do In Kota Tinggi:
Go on a boat trip out to the mangroves to see fireflies (Kota Tinggi Firefly Park or Sungai Lebam Wetlands)
Have a glamping experience with Canopy Tribes
See beautiful displays at the Kota Tinggi Museum
Reach the peak of Mount Panti (Gunung Panti)
2D1N Kota Tinggi Itinerary:
Day 1:
Singapore → Kota Tinggi (lunch) → Kota Tinggi Waterfall → Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
Day 2:
Kiang Kee Bak Kut Teh (breakfast) → Mount Panti (hike) → Kota Tinggi town (Lunch) → Kota Tinggi Museum → Back to Singapore
How To Get To Kota Tinggi From Singapore:
Option 1: Private Car Service
An hour is all you need to get to Kota Tinggi assuming there isn’t any congestion at the causeway link between Johor and Singapore.
Leave the driving to an experienced driver from a private car service like SGMYTAXI if you want to save all your energy to enjoy your trip!
Also read: [ad_2]
Option 2: Bus (~3 hours)
Departure Location: Queen Street Bus Terminal, Kranji MRT Station
Transit Location: Johor Larkin Terminal
Arrival Location: Kota Tinggi
9. Eco Farm, Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru has an impressive number of eco parks.
You can even stay overnight at some of these farms!
Learn what it takes to run a farm while getting some recreational fun!
If you’re looking for a cheap weekend getaway from Singapore, these eco-parks should be your best choice.
Eco farms in Johor Bahru:
10. Kukup
Admittedly, there is a considerable distance to cover from Singapore to Kukup but this is one place you have to include in your Pontian trip!
Kukup is a rural fishing village that has a double purpose as a harbour for cargo boats and ships.
Visitors can check out the dried and fresh seafood for sale at the seaside restaurants and shops!
See and maybe touch unusual sea creatures at a fish farm
2D1N Kukup Itinerary:
Day 1:
Singapore → Kukup → Explore the village and indulge in some local snacks like fried shrimp cake → Walk through the mangroves at Kukup National Park → Seafood barbeque at your resort
Day 2:
Breakfast → Fish farm → Buy some local goods → Seafood lunch → Singapore
How To Get To Kukup From Singapore:
Option 1: Private Car Service
A mere 40 minutes is the expected duration if you plan to drive to Kukup yourself from Singapore.
[ad_2]
11. Genting Highlands, Pahang
To some, Genting Highlands’ greatest appeal may be the legal casinos or the theme parks but ultimately, it’s a cool retreat for short weekend getaway from Singapore!
The temperatures here are comfortably chilly all year round!
And a dose of fresh mountain air might be just the thing you need to reset your mood!
What To Do At Genting Highlands:
Bring your family to Genting Outdoor Theme Park or First World Indoor Theme Park
Shop at First World Plaza
Catch a show at the performing arts theatre (Arena of Stars)
Stop by beautiful Fraser’s Hill on your way up or down
Detour to an elephant sanctuary (Kuala Gandah) enroute to Genting Highlands
Shop at the Genting Highlands Premium Outlets!
3D2N Genting Itinerary:
Day 1:
Singapore → Berjaya Hills, Bukit Tinggi → See a rabbit farm or the Japanese tea house → Stay overnight
Day 2:
Genting Highlands – Try out the theme park or the casino!
Day 3:
Genting Highlands → Kuala Gandah elephant sanctuary → Batu Caves → Singapore.
[ad_2]
Option 2: Bus (6.5hours)
Departure Location: Golden Mile Tower
Arrival Location: Genting Highlands
12. Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia’s vibrant capital city, Kuala Lumpur is a shopping paradise for Singaporeans!
There’s a lot more to see than just the majestic Petronas Twin Towers here!
You can make a quick detour to Malacca too during your road trip from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur!
What To Do At Kuala Lumpur:
Pick up handicrafts at the Central Market
Explore Little India and Chinatown
Check out the nightlife at Bukit Bintang
Visit the butterfly reserve, bird park or national zoo
Give your kids a chance to use up their energy at Jump Street!
2D1N Kuala Lumpur Itinerary:
Day 1:
Singapore → Kuala Lumpur –Petronas Twin Towers, Menara KL Tower and Sultan Ahmad Samad Building at Merdeka Square → Central Market → Petaling Street → Jalan Alor (hawker fare), Bukit Bintang → Check out the night scene (night clubs, bars, late-night mamak restaurants, etc)
Tips:
If you still have time, then make a quick visit to the national museum too!
Skybar is a rooftop bar with an amazing view of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline
Day 2:
Kuala Lumpur → Batu Caves or Kuala Lumpur Bird Park → Pavilion KL (Shopping) → Singapore.
How To Get To Kuala Lumpur From Singapore:
Option 1: Private Car Service
It’s almost 4 hours to reach Kuala Lumpur from Singapore.
Unless you’re just travelling alone, it might be worthwhile to book a private car service from SGMYTAXI to provide direct transfer!
[ad_2]
Option 2: Bus (~5 hours 15 minutes)
Departure Location: Golden Mile Complex
Arrival Location: Jalan Imbi
13. Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
You might be wondering if you should bother with making a trip from Singapore to Port Dickson in the first place but let us clear your doubts on that!
Port Dickson has its share of white beaches and other attractions!
It’s easy to find a lovely Port Dickson Resort too!
What To Do At Port Dickson:
See the historic lighthouse at Cape Rachado
Spend the day at Blue Lagoon Beach (Tanjung Biru) – shallow waters and rock pools!
Picnic at one of the gazebos at Moonlight Beach (Pantai Purnama)
Try some water sports at Teluk Kemang
Visit the Army Museum
Take some holiday photos at scenic Cahaya Negeri Beach (Pantai Cahaya Negeri) – Lovers Bridge
3D2N Port Dickson Itinerary:
Day 1:
Singapore → Port Dickson → Check in → Enjoy your resort
Day 2:
Army Museum → Wan Loong Chinese Temple or Port Dickson Waterfront→ Blue Lagoon Beach → Saujana Beach & Saturday Night Market (if applicable) → Back to resort
Day 3:
Check out → Cape Rachado (Lighthouse) → Singapore
If your timing is right, you will get to see turtles lay eggs on the southern shore of this island!
Batu Batu resort has special facilities that cater to guests with children!
What To Do On Batu Batu Island:
Leave the kids at the play area under the watchful eye of hotel staff as you relieve pre-baby days!
Swim and snorkel in the clear blue water
Get a massage at the resort spa
Rent a kayak to explore the island
Join a snorkelling/ diving trip (Book at Batu Batu’s PADI Dive centre)
Play soccer on the beach (Long Beach)
Note: It’s quite difficult to get a booking on this private island!
How To Get To Batu Batu Island From Singapore:
Step 1:
Option 1: Private Car Service to Mersing Jetty:
Private car service to Mersing Jetty will take 2 to 4 hours during non-peak periods.
Select your choice of spacious MPV cars from SGMYTAXI’s fleet.
Option 2: Bus (4-6 hours)
Departure Location: Plaza Singapore, Bugis MRT, Singapore Flyer, Golden Mile Tower
Arrival Location: Mersing Jetty
[ad_2]
Step 2:
Speedboat: 20 – 30 minutes
Departure Location: Mersing Jetty
Arrival Location: Batu Batu resort
15. Sekinchan, Selangor
Kuala Selangor is far-off from Singapore.
However, there are enough natural gems to spend a whole weekend here!
One of the most popular attractions here is Sekinchan with its unbelievably green rice fields and rice factory that you can enter for a short tour!
What To Do In Sekinchan:
Fly a kite at Redang Beach
See the large wishing tree close to Redang Beach
Get another perspective of the rice fields from the top of a Chinese temple (Nan Tian Chinese Temple 南天宮)
Stay a night at Padibox
Visit Bagan fishing village
Get some souvenirs at Ah Ma House (阿嬤的家)
3D2N Sekinchan Itinerary:
Day 1:
Singapore → Sekinchan → Seafood lunch → Paddy field and factory → Ah Ma House → Wishing Tree → Redang Beach
Day 2:
Bukit Melawati Hill → Sky Mirror tour (Sasaran Beach) → Eagle Feeding tour → Firefly tour
Note: Sky Mirror tours are often sold out and tour dates are dependent on the lunar calendar! Book way in advance!
Day 3:
Nan Tian Chinese Temple 南天宮 → La Familia Orchard (乡之旅果园) → Bagan Fishing Village → Hai Seng Huat Fishery → Mimi Fishball 咪咪鱼丸→ Singapore
How To Get To Sekinchan From Singapore:
Option 1: Private Car Service
Prepare for a long drive (~5 hours) to get to Sekinchan from Singapore!
[ad_2]
You don’t have to be the one driving if you book a private car service with SGMYTAXI.
Rates are affordable if you are not going alone!
Option 2: Bus (~7 hours)
Departure Location: Golden Mile Tower
Arrival Location: Sekinchan
Note: This service is only once a day.
16. Redang Island
Redang island is under the Terengganu Marine Park some 45 km off the coast of the east coast of Kuala Terengganu.
The endless diving possibilities have put Redang Island on the radar of many international tourists that are keen divers looking to get their Open Water licenses!
Image Credits: goproprojek, Janice Tan
What To Do On Redang Island:
Trek around the island
Book a snorkelling trip
See the sunrise
Snorkel at the Marine Park Centre
Savour local food
How To Get To Redang Island From Singapore:
Option 1: Flight + Bus + Ferry: ~8 hours (Waiting/ transit time included)
Get to Singapore Changi Airport (30 minutes)
Fly from Singapore Changi Airport to Kuala Terengganu Airport. (~3 hours)
Take a bus to Merang Jetty (30 minutes)
Board the ferry to Redang Island (~ 45 minutes)
[ad_2]
Option 2:
Step 1: Bus (~10 hours)
Departure Location: Golden Mile Complex
Arrival Location: Syabandar Jetty
Step 2: Ferry From Syabandar Jetty To Redang Island: 1.5 hours
Departure Location: Syabandar Jetty
Arrival Location: Redang Island
17. Cameron Highlands, Pahang
There’s always something about Cameron Highlands that makes it so appealing to the masses!
Fresh air, cooler temperatures, lots of greenery, fresh produce, strawberries and many farms!
Luxurious European-style resorts make you feel like you’re somewhere distant without having to fly halfway across the world!
Cameron Highlands should be on your list of weekend getaway from Singapore.
What To Do On Cameron Highlands:
Pick your own strawberries
Sample wild honey at a bee farm
Visit a tea plantation
Have British cream tea with a cool environment
Go on one of the abundant hiking trails
Visit the night market (Brinchang Night Market)
[ad_2]
3D2N Cameron Highlands Itinerary:
Day 1:
Singapore → Ipoh → Cameron Highlands
Day 2:
Boh Tea Plantation → Strawberry Farm → Short hike → Steamboat Dinner → Brinchang Night Market
Day 3:
The Smokehouse (breakfast) → Watercress Valley → Lavender Garden → Singapore
Notes:
This itinerary assumes that you will take a flight between Ipoh and Singapore
Brinchang Night Market is open during weekends and school holidays
How To Get To Cameron Highlands From Singapore:
Take a 1-hour flight to Ipoh from Singapore Changi Airport.
From Ipoh, it takes another 2 hours to drive up to Cameron Highlands with no heavy traffic.
Note: The flight takes around an hour from Singapore. Allocate 5-6 hours of travel time.
18. George Town, Penang
Penang usually tops the list for first-time travellers to Malaysia.
Deep historical roots, bustling nightlife, loads of good food, decent beaches.
Its close proximity to Langkawi and Ipoh, gorgeous architecture are all viable reasons to make the trip!
What To Do In Penang:
Locate the street murals (Armenian Street)
Visit Kek Lok Si Temple
Eat Penang food like at Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul shop (Assam Laksa and Chendol)
Stroll down Little India
Head down to the historical clan jetties at Chew Jetty
Visit Fort Cornwallis
2D1N Penang Itinerary:
Day 1:
Singapore → Penang → Restoran Hameediyah Tandoori House (Nasi Kandar) → Go on a mural hunt → Batu Ferringhi Beach→ New Hawker Lane Centre or a Nyonya cuisine restaurant (Dinner) → Chill at a hidden bar ( Out of Nowhere)
Day 2:
Penang Hill → Tek Sen restaurant (double-roasted pork) → Prangin Mall → Skywalk tower (TOP @ Komtar) → Singapore
Does it even surprise you that Langkawi is on this list?
Langkawi is a tourist hotspot and also a great place for a short weekend getaway from Singapore.
The beaches are pretty, it’s affordable and there’s a tonne of things to do here!
[ad_2]
What To Do In Langkawi:
Spend time at the beach
Do some water sports
View the whole island from the Langkawi Sky Bridge
Have an evening stroll around Eagle Square
Go duty-free shopping
Visit Langkawi’s Underwater World
2D1N Langkawi Itinerary:
Day 1:
Singapore → Langkawi → Kilim Karst Geoforest Park (mangroves, limestone caves and formations, etc) → Island hopping (Pulau Dayang Bunting and Pulau Beras Basah islets) → Singa Besar Island (eagle feeding) → Pantai Cenang (sunset dinner)
Day 2:
Hike at Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls (Seven Wells Waterfalls)→ Langkawi Sky Bridge → Oriental Village (duty-free shopping) or Kuah Town (more shopping) → Singapore
Travel Tips On Weekend Getaways From Singapore To Malaysia
Public holidays (either Malaysia or Singapore) can significantly impact your journey times so do try to avoid going on a long weekend if you can help it!
Short beach getaways from Singapore: Desaru, Tioman Island, Rawa Island, Sibu Island, Langkawi, Penang, Port Dickson, Batu Batu Island, Redang Island
Nature destinations – Cameron Highlands, Endau Rompin National Park, Kota Tinggi, Sekinchan
Family destinations – Legoland, Desaru, Kukup, Eco farms (Johor Bahru)
Historical destinations – Malacca, Penang
Shopping destinations – Genting Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi
Do you know that Johor Bahru boasts many incredible yet elegant historical buildings?
Some even stand prominently in Johor Bahru for over hundreds of years!
Most of the historical places in Johor Bahru as listed below are within walking distance from one another.
This means that you can discover more than 8 historical places in a day! Sound good to make short trips from Singapore?
After visiting historical sites in Johor, you definitely will learn more about the history and culture of Johor Bahru.
What are you waiting for? Scroll down to discover all of them!
16 Johor Bahru Heritage Trail & Historical Places
1. Tiong Hua Chinese Heritage Museum (新山华人历史文物馆)
Tiong Hua Chinese Heritage Museum is a newly-renovated museum that boasts 4-storey and stands prominently in the middle of the row of the shophouse. Before converting into a museum, it was previously owned by JB Tiong Hua Association as their base.
The first, second and third floors display the lives of Chinese immigrants in Johor in 17th century while the fourth floor devotes to Dr. Sun Yat Sen, the founder and the first president of the Republic of China.
Basically, it showcases artifacts, records, pictures, and cash from the past. The exhibition was complemented by the audio tour to help in the understanding of the history.
Address: 42, Jalan Ibrahim, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Operation Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00am – 5:00pm Entrance Fee: RM6 per adult & RM3 per child
2. The Red House Johor Bahru (新山红楼)
Primary possessed by an Indian family, The Red House was a pre-war shophouse with hundreds of years of history.
Later while the street was nominated as a heritage street, the facade was repainted in bright red and white and served as a prominent heritage building along the street.
Due to the eye-catching furnishing, it eventually turned into the landmark of the area and hosted many cultural events.
The nostalgic ambiance offered in every single corner is truly the highlight of The Red House. This attracts tourists the most and many suggest that the elegant environment is suitable for filming movie too.
Address: No.56, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Tel: +607 – 224 9633
3. Sri Raja Mariamman Temple Johor Bahru (新山翁固本街的斯里拉惹马里安曼兴都庙)
Immerse in the rich culture of Hindu at Sri Raja Mariamman Temple that sandwiched between Kota Raya Plaza shopping complex and the busy Jalan Wong Ah Fook.
With over 100 years of history, the impressive Hindu temple was a huge contrast to nearby hotels and shopping malls.
Also read: Glass Temple: Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Johor Bahru
The Hindu temple pays homage to the goddess Mariamman, the deity of fertility and rain and she was believed to cure disease and illness of her believers.
There’re lots of gatekeepers at the entrance of building guarding and protecting the temple. Before entering, visitors are required to take off their shoes.
On the pavement outside, it lines with peddlers selling Hindu handicrafts, spices and flowers. The flowers sold are dedicated to the Hindu deities. During Hindu festivals, especially Deepavali, the area is extremely crowded with believers and visitors.
Address: Between Jalan Trus & Jalan Ungku Puan, 8000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Opening Hours:
Daily: 6:00am – 5:00pm Entrance Fee: Free
4. Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple (柔佛古庙)
Built in 19th century, Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple is said to be the only survived worship place despite the cruel bombing in World War 2. Old statues, signage, and antiques add more historical values to the facade.
The temple hosts 5 deities namely Hong Xian Da Di, Gan Tian Da Di, Zhao Da Yuan Shuai, Xuan Tian Shang Di and Hua Guang Da Di.
Each is respectively worshipped by 5 different Chinese dialect groups such as Hokkien, Cantonese, Hainan, Teochew, and Hakka. It symbolizes the unity of these dialects group too.
The temple holds an annual event, Chingay (Parade of Deities) that lasts for 4 days. Parading with the deities around the Town Centre of JB on the third night is the climax and highlight of this parade. The event has successfully attracted over 300k people in the past few years.
Address: Lot 653, Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Opening Hours:
Daily: 7:00am – 5:00pm Entrance Fee: Free
5. Masjid India Johor Bahru @ India Muslim Mosque (印度穆斯林清真寺)
Located right at the junction of Jalan Duke and Jalan Dhoby, Masjid India serves as the main worship place of Indian Muslim in Johor Bahru.
Featuring a silver and blue dome with 2 minarets aside, the mosque comes with white walls with blue-tinted glass, offering a modern ambiance and convenient.
Up until now, the history of the mosque is still a mystery. We only found out that the mosque was constructed by the local Indian Muslims. Or maybe you can ask the Indian Muslims around for more information.
Address: Jalan Duke, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
6. Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Temple Johor Bahru (新山锡克庙)
The most unique and exotic heritage of Sikh in Johor is treasured in Sikh Gurdwara Sahib. In ancient time, most of the Sikhs was appointed to work as policemen and the bodyguards of royalty. This temple was built by them after receiving the approval from the government.
After the renovation, the temple boasts 2-storey with crenellate walls on top and plenty of window frames in yellow. It is also a complex temple with kitchen, hall, dining room, office inside. On the second floor, there’re prayers rooms provided to Sikh visitors.
Currently, the Gurdwara is under the management of Sikh religious leaders comprising president and other committee members. Every time when they hold religious activities, over 250 Sikh families will participate in these activities.
Address: 1, Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Opening Hours:
Sunday (9:30am – 11:30am) – Normal Weekly Prayers
Saturday (6:30pm – 8:00pm) – The Naujawan Programmes
Tuesday (2:30pm – 4:30pm) – The Isteri Satsang Programmes
7. Sultan Ibrahim Building Johor Bahru (苏丹依布拉欣大厦[旧州政府大厦])
Overlooking the city centre of JB, Sultan Ibrahim Building was one of the most majestic buildings in JB that blend well with Malay and colonial architecture.
The construction was started in 1936 was completed in 1940, costing 2 million ringgit in overall. In those days, it served as the tallest building in JB.
During World War II while Johor was under Japanese rule, the Japanese Army used the building as a fortress, spying the actions of British Army around.
The building was formally served as the state secretariat building, state assembly hall and Chief Minister’s office until 2009. Recently, it turned into historical landmarks and visitors are required to ask for permission from the security guards before entering the compound.
Address: Jalan Bukit Timbalan, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Tel: +607 – 222 3591 Operating Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Closed on: Weekends & Public Holidays.
8. Johor Bahru Old Railway Station (新山旧火车站)
Johor Bahru Old Railway Station was once an intercity railway station that boasts western architecture in a very unique way. The building was launched in 1932 but it was closed in 2010. This is partly due to the replacement of the services by the new railway station in JB.
[ad_2]
Nevertheless, it will be transforming into the very first train museum in Malaysia, bringing pride and excitement to Johoreans. The opening of the train museum is estimated to fall on 16 Sept 2016.
Address: Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
9. Holy Light Church Johor Bahru (基督教长老会圣光堂)
Founded by Rev John Angus Bethune Cook, a missionary from England in 1886, Holy Light Church serves as one of the oldest church in JB.
In old times, workers built the church building from timber but they didn’t expect that building was attacked by termites years after years.
So, the leaders of the church decided to renovate the building and build a new sanctuary. The renovation and construction were completed in 2012 and the old building was used as Youth Hall recently.
Address: Lot 156608, Persiaran Pondersoa Utama, Taman Ponderosa, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Tel: +607 – 224 3285
10. SK Ayer Molek Johor Bahru (亚逸摩力国小)
The unique school lies at the small hill behind the Wisma Persekutuan Johor Bahru. It was established in 1883 and before the construction, the area was used for coffee plantation so the hill was also known as “coffee hill” by locals.
In 1942, the area was used by the Japanese army as their hospital until World War II ended. Later in 1946, the school was reopened and since then, SK Ayer Molek had produced lots of talented and high achieving students who were now working for the government.
Address: JKR 438, Jalan Ayer Molek, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Tel: +607 – 222 1569
11. Bazar Karat JB (新山市区跳蚤市场[新山市集])
Recently, Bazar Karat is officially known as “JB Bazar”. It is a good place to buy cheap and rare items such as clothes, accessories, food, pets, antics and music products. At most of the stalls, you can even bargain for cheaper prices.
The place is always crowded and it becomes extremely havoc especially during weekends. Be there early as it’s always hard to get a parking spot.
The flea market has a history of over 10 years and many tourists come over to get close to local culture. Definitely a must-go at night!
Address: 20, Jalan Segget, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Opening Hours:
Daily: 6:00pm – 12:00am
12. Johor Bahru High Court (新山高等法庭)
In the late 1800s when Johor was under the reign of Sultan Abu Bakar, the court of Johor was built together with headquarter of polis station at Jalan Ayer Molek.
Later In 1928, it was moved to Jalan Dato’ Onn, the exact location of where Johor Bahru High Court stands nowadays. The high court holds session court and magistrates court too.
Photo credits: wikimapia.org
Take a closer look at the building and you’ll notice that it shows the features of Italian Renaissance architecture. The influence is because Johor was brought under British control when the court was built.
Address: Jalan Dato’ Onn, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Tel: +607 – 226 7780 / +607 – 226 7781 / +607 – 226 7782
13. Johor Bahru Post Office (新山邮政局)
Painted in white, Johor Bahru Post Office is a 3-storey building located next to the Johor Bahru City Hall. The post office is within walking distance from the Johor Bahru High Court.
In August 25, 1963, Johor Bahru post office was opened with the opening ceremony performed by the late king of Johor – Sultan Ismail. Before that, the building was a hotel which had been serving guests for years.
Address: JKR 2521, Jalan Dato Onn, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Tel: +607 – 224 4233
14. Johor Bahru Central Police Station (新山中央警署)
Set across 1 acre of land, the construction of Johor Bahru Central Police Station was started in 1925 and was completed in 1927. A year later the police station was opened to public, until now.
In old times, Johor Sultan was forced to appoint a British advisor to help in ruling the country. The police station was built during that time and hence, it serves as one of the British colonial buildings in Malaysia.
The noticeable blue and white furnishing were greatly influenced by the architecture from England.
Address: 489, Jalan Meldrum, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Tel: +607 – 223 2222
15. Johor Bahru Prison (新山亚逸摩力监狱)
Built in 1883, Johor Bahru Prison is the third prison established in Peninsular Malaysia. After visiting the prisons in Osaka and Shanghai, Sultan Abu Bakar (King of Johor) came out an idea to build a prison in Johor. From the door to the cell, the design has many similarities to those in Shanghai and Osaka.
When Johor was still under the colonisation of British, this prison was used to imprison the criminals and people who rebelled against the British officials. However, in 2005, the prison was moved to Kluang due to small spaces and this prison was kept as detention site.
Address: Jalan Ayer Molek, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
16. Bank Negara Malaysia Johor Bahru (马来西亚中央银行柔佛分行大厦)
Bank Negara Malaysia is the central bank of Malaysia which acts as the advisor to Malaysia’s government. Since its establishment in 1959, it built branches in every capital states of Peninsular Malaysia and the headquarter was located at Kuala Lumpur.
While in the late 1900s, their bank services were taken over by the newly established retail banks. This results in the closing of their branches in most of the states, leaving only 3 in Peninsular Malaysia. Hence, Bank Negara Malaysia in JB serves as one of their maintained branches in Malaysia.
Address: Jalan Bukit Timbalan, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Tel: +607 – 225 7888
