JOHOR BAHRU

CREST & FLAG

National Day August 31

CURRENCY

Currency Malaysian Ringgit MYR

VISA

Most Travelers don't need a visa. Contact your local Malaysian Embassy, travel agent or Immigration for more details. Don't forget to check what the immigration stamps in your passport.

DID-INTERNET-GMT

DID 00

Country Code (60)

Area Code 07

Internet (my)

GMT + 8

ELECTRICITY

240 V 50 HZ

HOTELS

More on Johor Bahru

by (Encyclopedia.com)

FACTS & DATA

Johor Bahru is the capital of the state Johor

State: Sultanate

Head of State: Sultan

Location: South on the Malaysian Peninsular , north of Singapore

Area: Johor 18,941 sq. km (126.9 sq.m.)

Temperature: 21-34 C

Population: 2.740 million/Johor

People: Malay, Chinese,

Indian, Other
Language: Malayu, Chinese, Tamil, English

Religion: Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, Christian

Major industries: Agriculture, Manufacturing and Tourism
Health risks: Good healthcare
Time: GMT +8

Electricity: 220-240V
Weights & measures: Metric

Road traffic: Left side

Public transport: major cities good

PUBLICATIONS

NEWSPAPERS

Malayu

Berita Harian/ Minggu

Harakah Daily

Chinese

Kwong Wah Yit Poh & Penang Sin Poe

Nanyang Siang Pau

English

Business Times

Malay Mail

New Straits Times

The Star

TV & RADIO

RTM TV1 & 2

TV3

NEWS

Southeast Asia news

AIR, from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. ROAD, connected via the North South Highway with Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang. The highway goes almost to the Thai border. Singapore is it's next neighbor and connected via two links. NOTE, due to immigration and customs formalities certain periods can create big jams at the Singapore border.

Information	Currency Converter Language Population Facts Religion Temperature
Official	Immigration Holidays
Reference	Tourism Weather Currency Converter
Transport	PLUS (Operator of the North South Highway) Malaysian Railway

Food & Restaurants

Food

Travel

Car Rental Hotels Travel Travel Warning Advise

Johor Bahru is the capital of the state of Johor, the third largest state on the Malaysian peninsular. Johor Bahru was founded in the late 1850's It's original name was Tanjung Puteri, a small Malay fishing village. Sultan Abu Bakar changed the name to Johor Bahru when he proclaimed it the capital of his Sultanate in 1866.

When Britain in 1819 signed a treaty with The Sultan Abu Bakar to lease Singapore, it was as well the beginning of the prospering of Johor. Today Johor is an important plantation and industrial state.

Johor Bahru is the southern entry point to Malaysia linked via two causeways with Singapore.

Johor Bahru is very popular with the Singaporeans for eating and shopping. One of the reason ist that the prices are 50% of those in Singapore.

Johor offers a wide range of activities. From snorkeling on some of the most beautiful offshore island, golfing at one of the numerous golf clubs, swimming, sunbathing to sightseeing. Waterfalls at Lombong, city of Muar called small Malacca due to its resemblance. Tanjung Piai's mangrove swamplands 75 km away from Johor Bahru features mangrove crabs, beady eyed mudskippers and crab eating macaques. On the way back you can sunbath in Desaru or if you have more time take the ferry to Singapore from Tanjung Belungkor.

ferry station to tioman.gif (55173 bytes)

Mersing a small sleepy town, is the ferry and boat station to some of the most beautiful island in this part of the world. To mention a few, Pulau Rawa, Pulau Tinggi and Pulau Sibu. Most of these islands offer a rich and colourful marine life within the numerous coral reefs, ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Probably the most famous and biggest of all islands is Pulau Tioman. You find big holiday resorts and small beach pockets all around the island to suit all tastes. Small taxi boats take you around the island to the various places.

The old Johor Sultan's Palace (Grand Palace) houses now the Royal Abu Bakar Museum is open for visits. It shows the heritage of the Royal family of Johor. The new palace is located 6 km further up the road.

Singapore across the border is a great shopping and food destination. You have regular busses going every half hour from down Johor Bahru.

Eating in Malaysia is a true gastronomic pleasure. Local food consists of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Portuguese and nonya cuisine and can be found throughout the country in most restaurants and hotels. The so called hawker-stalls alongside the streets are however the favorite eating places for the local people. It's good, has endless varieties and it's cheap. A fried noodle dish with a glass of fresh lime juice don't hurt your pocket more than US$ 0.80-1.00. Try dishes like laksa, roti canai, satay, nasi lemak, wide variety of noodle dishes, chicken rice.... , the list would be endless. You will find good foreign cuisine as well, like French, Italian, Japanese and Korean. Fast food like burgers are plenty available!!!

Popular drinks are a wide range of fresh fruit juices, cola, ice lemon tea and the famous teh tarik (hot tea) . Anchor, Tiger and Carlsberg beer is locally brewed. You will find imported beer as well.

Johor Bahru has a very western style night entertainment. Pubs, bars and disco are everywhere and enjoyed equally by locals as travelers from near and far. THE NIGHT LIFE is more hidden in Johor Bahru, but girls can be found in quite a few places. Ask the local guys, the know it to well.