Somewhere at the southern tip of Malaysia, nearly embracing the city-state of Singapore, there’s a wonderful place that wants to welcome you. In case you don’t know, it goes by the name of Johor Bahru.
If you didn’t know it before, you might be surprised to learn that a visit will have you regarding it in the same light as the capital city. Sure, it doesn’t have the intensity & sheer size that Kuala Lumpur enjoys, but going from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru is no downgrade by any means.
Azharsofii [CC BY-SA 4.0]
There’s something for pretty much everyone. Whether you’re touring the country with your spouse & kids, enjoying a romantic getaway, or taking some time to explore the world by yourself, you’ll always have something to do.
Let’s get into some specifics.
Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque
If you’re a religious architecture enthusiast, or a fan of architecture, in general, you’ll want to put this at the top of your list. It’s a blend of British & Islamic architecture, an uncommon sight amongst prominent mosques, and the result is nothing short of majestic.
Soham Banerjee from Bangalore, india [CC BY 2.0]
The building’s famous minarets are made to resemble the sort of traditional clock towers you might find in Britain, and the interior is a sea of white marble decorated with Victorian & Moorish artistic motifs. It can also fit up to 2,000 at one time, so don’t worry about it getting too cramped.
Legoland Malaysia
For a slightly more whimsical architectural achievement, look no further than Legoland Malaysia. If you haven’t been to one of the other Lego theme parks around the world, almost every single structure is made of the iconic blocks. Yes, the same ones you played with.
This is the perfect attraction if you’re traveling with kids, or if you’re still a kid at heart, and wonder is in no short supply inside those colorful walls. If you’re trying to cool down on a brutal summer day, they also have a water park for visitors to splash around in.
JB Old Town
When you want to just take a relaxing stroll & discover a bit more of the area, JB Old Town is widely considered as the place to be. Social media-worthy scenery is about, and the amount of heritage sites along the road means you get a bit of an education as you walk along.
Terence Ong [CC BY-SA 3.0]
The most well-known building along this road is a red house known as, well, Red House. Beyond being a wonderful sight to see, it also serves the noble purpose of hosting artistic & cultural events for the benefit of locals & tourists alike.
Desaru Beach
Nothing brings a perfect end to a journey like a nice, calming day at the beach, and Johor Bahru offers one of the best in Malaysia.
User: (WT-shared) Jpatokal at wts wikivoyage [CC BY-SA 4.0]
The shore overlooks the Strait of Johor, and it’s been praised as the best way to get away from the crowds that tend to form in the town center & other popular spots in the city. You can even make the beach your headquarters, as there are many reputable resorts along the coastline.