johor bahru

List Of Interesting Places In Negeri Johor, Malaysia

Senarai Kawasan Perlancongan Yang Menarik Di Negeri Johor, Malaysia 

Pulau Kukup Johor National Park / Pulau Kukup

Pulau Kukup is one of the largest uninhabited mangroves in the world. It is also the only one situated in Johor waters. Today, Pulau Kukup has received international recognition, being granted the status of a 'Wetland of International Importance' (RAMSAR site) by the Geneva- based Ramsar Convention Bureau. A local folklore tells the tale of Pulau Kukup, an abode for five celestial princesses. One day, one of them fell in love with a sailor and they eloped. A curse was set upon the island of Kukup and it was submerged by sea. 

The island later resurfaced, but it was covered in mangroves. Many have tried to settle on this island, but without success. Some say this is because the island is inhabited by spirits. Pulau Kukup is today the home of countless species of wildlife. Among these are playful monkeys, quiet mudskippers and nosy wild boars. Enjoy the beauty of the national park, and be immersed in a delightful natural ecosystem.

Pulau Rawa / Rawa Island

Sixteen kilometres off the coast of Mersing is Pulau Rawa. The island is famed for its white coral sand, tall palm trees and coral reefs with neon-coloured fish and other exotic marine life. This quiet island only has two choices of accommodation on it. The wooden chalets nestled amongst coconut groves complement the island's reputation as a quaint hideaway, perfect for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Pulau Sibu / Sibu Island

Pulau Sibu is a pleasant hideaway with its lush tropical vegetation, endless stretches of golden beaches and clear blue waters. The island is also dotted with numerous sea caves carved out of rocks. The constant pounding of the sea during the monsoon season has given the island a beautiful yet rugged appearance. 

The surrounding waters contain fascinating coral reefs teeming with colourful marine life. Shipwrecks off its coast can also be found. In the olden days, Chinese junks and pirate vessels often exchanged cannon fire around this island, and the remains of these battles lie scattered around the seabed. There are facilities for scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, sailing and angling. Visitors can go for a hike through the jungle leading to unspoilt mangrove swamps or visit the kelong, or jetty, where anchovies are caught. Alternatively, head for the kampung, or village, to get a first-hand look at how coconuts are smoked to make copra.

Desaru's beaches / Pantai Desaru

Desaru's beaches are among the best in Johor. Many returning visitors agree that its white sandy beaches are a sight to behold. The beaches are clean, lined with casuarina trees and stretch 25 kilometres long. Here, visitors can enjoy fun- filled activities such as fishing, boating, swimming, hiking as well as other outdoor activities. Take the opportunity to relax or get that sexy tan, while listening to rushing waves and enjoying the cool breeze. Numerous hotels, resorts and chalets line the area, making accommodation simple and convenient.

Pantai Kampung Air Papan

Water Board, coordinated 2 ° 30'59 .26 "N 103 ° 50'5 .6" T, is a beach located in Kampung Air Papan, Mersing, Johor, Malaysia. Located about 12 KM north of Mersing, the beach is popular with locals, especially on weekends and public holidays. They can swim in the blue water, playing in the beach area or just sit and relax in the shade of the trees along the edge of the beach. From here, visitors can see quite clearly the archipelago as the Big Island, Rawa Island, Tioman Island and Middle Island, and nearby smaller islands such as Pulau Batu Gajah and Pulau Setindan.

Endau Rompin National Park

Endau Rompin, straddling the Johor/Pahang border, is the second National Park after Taman Negara. It covers an area of approximately 80,000 hectares of rich and exotic flora and fauna, encompassing the watershed of the rivers Endau and Rompin, from which it derives its name. In other words, this place is huge. The park is home to a vast species of birds, mammals, frogs, insects and exotic varieties of orchids, herbs, medicinal plants and trees. It seems that every time a scientific expedition returns from Endau Rompin, they discover a new species! 

Regular treks through the jungle will give adventurers sightings of leaf monkeys, long-tail macaques, white- handed gibbons, elephants, deer, tapirs and the occasional tiger and leopard. For adventure lovers and river trekkers, there are exhilarating rapids and fairly substantial waterfalls. To protect the pristine environment, only limited areas of the park are open for ecotourism. Entry to the park requires a special permit from the Johor National Park Corporation.

Gunung Ledang /  Ophir Mount

Shrouded in mystical legends and folklore, Gunung Ledang continues to charm and intrigue locals and visitors alike. According to the legend of the Princess of Gunung Ledang, the Sultan of Melaka wanted the Princess' hand in marriage and she, not wanting to marry him, demanded that the Sultan present her with seven jars of women's tears, seven trays of mosquitoes' hearts and seven bowls of the Sultan's son's blood. After he was unable to meet these impossible requests, she fled to the mountain and continues to live in a hidden cave, to this day. 

The mountain is ideal for a myriad of outdoor activities with challenging mountain trails, icy waterfalls, and exotic flora and fauna, including many species of birds. At the relatively flat summit, which is 1,276m above sea level, a panoramic view of the Straits of Melaka and even the Sumatran coastline can been seen on a clear day. Also, Sagil Waterfall is a popular picnic spot at the base of the mountain.

Tanjung Piai National Park

If you've ever dreamed of falling asleep to the lilting sounds of the ocean, or waking up to the splendour of the universe, Tanjong Piai presents itself as a natural wonderland at the southernmost tip of Asia.  Located 90km south of Johor Bahru's city centre, Tanjung Piai's natural wonders have been gazetted into a National Park. Its beautiful mangroves, important for their resilience, are one of the mainstays to sustainable growth of the various mangrove wildlife. They also serve to protect the land from the fierce onslaught of the wild sea. 

Frolic with wide-eyed mudskippers, funny macaques, wild birds and other wildlife. Platforms built throughout the park allow visitors to observe the different habitats supported by the mangroves. Just bring a pair of good walking shoes to enjoy the mangroves in comfort.

Kota Tinggi Waterfalls / Air Terjun Kota Tinggi

Kota Tinggi Waterfalls is located about 16 km from Kota Tinggi. waterfall located in the mine, 16 kilometers northwest of the city, is a very popular tourist destination. As high as 36 meters, this waterfall is located at the foot of Mount Muntahak which has a height of 634 meters. The cold water flowing across some shallow pool ideal for swimming. The natural beauty of some of these places have been damaged by the development of the resort with artificial landscaping.

Sungai Lebam Wetlands

Watching fireflies, or lightning bugs, is one of the main attractions in the Sungai Lebam Wetland Preservation area. Catching sight of the synchronised blinking lights for the first time is a magical experience. Fireflies emit light at their lower abdomen to attract mates and also scare away predators. They are harmless, but visitors should refrain from catching any as this would pose a threat to its fragile population. 

Fireflies often congregate at a vast mangrove swamp, especially at the Berembang trees. One should keep silent and avoid flash photography so as not to scare them away.  There are fewer fireflies around on rainy nights and when the moon is full. The best time to watch fireflies is one to four hours after sunset. To get the most out of your trip, do plan your journey in advance.

Danga Bay

Danga Bay is the largest recreational park in Johor. The park is situated close to the Istana Bukit Serene . Danga Bay is usually the choice of location for events during the festive season. Danga Bay is expected to be the next exclusive waterfront development as it offers high-end outlets, luxurious properties as well as entertainment. The Danga Bay is easily accessible through the network of main roads which makes this place a frequently visited spot by the locals.

Mawar Gallery

The first of its kind in Malaysia, the Mawar Gallery showcases the "Gracious and Famous Ladies of Johor". Housed in a building about 100 years old, the permanent gallery is an amazing achievement towards the recognition of women in Johor, especially to those who have publicly contributed to the knowledge and achievements of Johor.  Portraits of all past Sultanahs of Johor since 1886 until the present day, as well as ladies of the Royal Family and grand ladies of Johor are displayed here, serving as a tribute to ladies from all walks of life and professions. 

Puteri Harbour Theme Park 

Puteri Harbour Theme Park is in a modern block which resembles a shopping mall or an office complex. A sign outside says 'Little Red Cube'. It is located in the fast developing Nusajaya district adjoining a new marina and faces Singapore on the opposite bank of the Straits of Johor.

Part of this complex was still being completed and no doubt more shops and restaurants will open up in the coming months. The Ground Floor of the complex is made up of a large merchandise store, the Red Bow Café and the ticketing counters. The shop sells Hello Kitty, Pingu, Barney, Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina and Thomas the Tank Engine products. Escalators lead up the First Floor where Sanrio Hello Kitty Town is located. The escalators continue up to the Second Floor and Third Floors where the Little Big Club is located.

Zoo Johor

Zoo Johor is considered as one of the oldest zoos in Malaysia as it was built in the year of 1928. There are more than 100 species of animals living in Zoo Johor including some endangered species of them animals. They are gorillas, elephants, flamingos, horses, lions and much more. The entrance fee is just RM3. The zoo is clean and well organized with clean food selling around the stalls. This is definitely one favorite spot for families especially the children. There are animal shows for the entertainment of you folks too.

Johor Premier Outlets

Shopaholics will love this place, an outdoor shopping centre with a collection of over 60 designer fashion, sportswear, shoes, bags, accessories and gift shops selling branded items at direct from factory prices. Not really my cup of tea, but a pleasant atmosphere, plenty of parking and a good selection of places to eat.

Legoland Malaysia Theme Park

Legoland Malaysia theme park, the first in Asia, is situated in Nusajaya, Johor. Situated on 76 acres of land, the park is the sixth such park to open in the world. Previous parks are located in Billund, Denmark (1968), Windsor, England (1996), California, USA (1999), Germany (2002), Florida, USA (2005). Legoland is built with over 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions. One of the main attractions here is the Miniland. More than 30 million lego bricks are used in the building of these monuments including the Petronas Twin Towers, The Merlion Statue, Taj Mahal and others.

These well-known buildings are built using lego bricks, an interactive world on a scale of 1:20 where people, trains and aeroplanes come to life at the touch of a button. Other attractions at the park include Lego City, Land of Adventure, Imagination, Lego Kingdom and Lego Technic. In the theme park, there is also an Observation Tower which is the highest tower in Legoland Malaysia, some 60 meters from the ground. This is also the third Legoland observation tower in the world after Denmark and Germany. Legoland is a fascinating place to visit for children and adults alike!

Kota Iskandar, Johor

Kota Iskandar, Johor State Administrative Centre was opened in April 2009 and is now one of the must see places in Johor. Inspired by Moorish-Andalusian and Johor Malay designs and motifs, Kota Iskandar is Malaysia’s first Experiential Parliament where visitors through our guided tours will be allowed the chance to enter Johor’s beautiful state parliament hall and immersed in Johor’s rich culture and history while understanding the symbolisms and abstract interpretations in true style and splendour of Kota Iskandar- Johor’s Living Legacy.