L
Legoland
Got kids? Asia's first Legoland offers over 70 rides and attractions, plus a waterpark that can be visited separately or as part of a package. Nearly…
Getty Images/Flickr Open
Johor Bahru
Johor’s capital city of Johor Bahru (JB for short) has been repaved and replanted and is well on the way to rebranding itself, after years of being habitually criticised as a dirty, chaotic border town.
Most travelers skip southern Malaysia's largest city, but for intrepid souls there's a handful of worthwhile museums, temples and mosques, shopping and party zones. If that ain't your thing, JB also has a Legoland, where 'everything is awesome'.
As one of the five ‘economic zones’ of the Iskandar development project, which will radically change southern Malaysia over the next decade, JB is in for one hell of a makeover yet. The 720-hectare Danga Bay area, 3.1 miles (5km) from the Causeway, is poised to be a financial and commercial centre. Work on the development began in 2006 and is expected to be completed in 2025.
Explore Johor Bahru
- LLegoland
Got kids? Asia's first Legoland offers over 70 rides and attractions, plus a waterpark that can be visited separately or as part of a package. Nearly…
- AArulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman
Step through the looking glass into this wonderland of a temple built from mirrors, glass and metal – not a single inch of the vaulted roof or wall has…
- RRoyal Abu Bakar Museum
The marvellous Istana Besar, once the Johor royal family’s principal palace, was flung up in Victorian style by Anglophile sultan Abu Bakar in 1866. It…
- JJohor Bahru Old Chinese Temple
Once the centre of JB's Chinese immigrant community, and used by five different ethnic groups to worship five different Chinese gods, this small but…
- SSultan Abu Bakar Mosque
The stunning whitewashed walls and blue-tiled roof of this Victorian-inspired mosque speak of a mix of architectural influences. Built between 1892 and…
- BBangunan Sultan Ibrahim
Sitting magnificently atop Bukit Timbalan, the imposing Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim is a mighty melange of colonial pomp, Islamic motifs and indigenous design…
- CChinese Heritage Museum
Well-displayed exhibits chronicling the history of Chinese immigrants in this part of the Malay peninsula are the highlight of this three-storey museum…
- HHeritage District
Wandering around the characterful heritage area between Jln Ibrahim and Jln Ungku Puan is a high point of any visit to Johor Bahru. Walk past colourful…
- AArulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam
This beautiful Hindu temple, with ornate carvings, devotional artwork and a tall, brightly painted gopuram (tower) entranceway, is the heart of JB's Hindu…
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Johor Bahru.
See
Legoland
Got kids? Asia's first Legoland offers over 70 rides and attractions, plus a waterpark that can be visited separately or as part of a package. Nearly…
See
Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman
Step through the looking glass into this wonderland of a temple built from mirrors, glass and metal – not a single inch of the vaulted roof or wall has…
See
Royal Abu Bakar Museum
The marvellous Istana Besar, once the Johor royal family’s principal palace, was flung up in Victorian style by Anglophile sultan Abu Bakar in 1866. It…
See
Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple
Once the centre of JB's Chinese immigrant community, and used by five different ethnic groups to worship five different Chinese gods, this small but…
See
Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque
The stunning whitewashed walls and blue-tiled roof of this Victorian-inspired mosque speak of a mix of architectural influences. Built between 1892 and…
See
Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim
Sitting magnificently atop Bukit Timbalan, the imposing Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim is a mighty melange of colonial pomp, Islamic motifs and indigenous design…
See
Chinese Heritage Museum
Well-displayed exhibits chronicling the history of Chinese immigrants in this part of the Malay peninsula are the highlight of this three-storey museum…
See
Heritage District
Wandering around the characterful heritage area between Jln Ibrahim and Jln Ungku Puan is a high point of any visit to Johor Bahru. Walk past colourful…
See
Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam
This beautiful Hindu temple, with ornate carvings, devotional artwork and a tall, brightly painted gopuram (tower) entranceway, is the heart of JB's Hindu…
Guidebooks
Learn more about Johor Bahru
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