Johor is the southern gateway into Peninsular Malaysia and is linked to Singapore by road and rail. Its proximity to Singapore has made it a popular destination among Singaporeans as well as other international tourists visiting the island republic. It is the only state in the country that boasts of a coastline stretching along the Straits of Malacca to the South China Sea. The state is endowed with an abundance of natural attractions that provide numerous opportunities for a wide range of outdoor recreational and leisure activities.
When in Johor Bahru, the capital of the state, take time off to tour the city or shop around. Interesting spots are the Royal Museum, the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, the Grand Palace, the Johor Art Gallery, the Mawar Handicraft Centre and Dataran Bandaraya built in 1994 to commemorate Johor Bahru's declaration as a city. Souvenir and handicraft stores and modern shopping complexes all offer a multitude of items at reasonable prices.
Those who yearn for jungle adventures will find the Endau Rompin National Park in the north eastern border of the state to be a haven for unspoilt nature. The park is home to many unique and endemic varieties of tropical plants and visitors have reported occasional wildlife sightings. The popular Kota Tinggi waterfalls, 56 km north of Johor Bahru is a refreshing spot for picnics. A drive through the large tracts of oil palm and coffee plantations in Kluang makes a pleasant and eye opening experience.
Head for Kukup, a picturesque fishing village on the southwest coast and visit its fascinating fish farms. Round off your trip by stopping at the town to taste the fresh and delicious seafood offerings. Or visit the mangrove swamps of Tanjung Piai to see exotic aquatic life.
Johor's premier beach resort is at Desaru, a magnificent 25 km stretch of sandy beach flanking the South China Sea. The resort has three hotels and is just the right place to unwind and indulge in a host of carefree activities such as fishing, snorkelling, windsurfing, boating, canoeing, swimming and jungle-trekking. Off Johor's eastern coast, amid the clear blue waters of the South China Sea are the islands ofPulau Rawa, Pulau Sibu, Pulau Aur, Pulau Besar and Pulau Pemanggil. All these idyllic islands have accommodation and offer excellent scuba diving, snorkelling, wind surfing, sailing and other activities.
Location
The third largest and southernmost state in Malaysia Johor covers an area of 19,984 sq. km. To its north are the states of Malacca and Pahang; its west the Straits of Malacca; its east the South China Sea ; and its south Singapore , which is accessible via two road and rail causeways. Johor's highest point is Gunung Ledang at 1,276m.
Population
Johor's population exceeds 2 million people, comprising an ethnic mix of mainly Malay, Chinese, and Indians.
Climate
On the whole, Johor's climate is tropical. The temperature is relatively uniform hovering around 26 C to 27 C throughout the year. During the months of January to April, the weather is generally dry and warm. Humidity is consistently high on the lowlands ranging between 82% to 86%. The average rainfall per year is 2,030 mm to 3,050 mm with the heaviest rainfall in the months of May to December.
Getting to Johor
Via the modern North-South Expressway, the state capital Johor Bahru (JB) is just 220km, a 4-hour drive, from Kuala Lumpur.
By Train:
Johor Bahru is the entry point to Malaysia from Singapore. From here, most major cities and towns are accessible via rail.
By Air:
Located at Senai about 32km from Johor Bahru is Sultan Ismail Airport. Malaysia Airlines flies to JB from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan and Kuching. Air Asia flies to JB from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan and Kuching.
There is a shuttle coach service to the airport, which leaves from the Water Front City in JB, and services all incoming and outgoing flights between 5.00am and 7.00pm. This coach also picks up passengers from Singapore. Most downtown hotels also organise taxis, limousine and shuttle services.
By Bus:
Bus services from major cities and towns run several times a day to Johor Bahru whilst making stops at smaller towns and villages on the way.
By Taxi:
Johor has lots of metered taxis. However, some drivers will take you around for an agreed fare. The fare is about RM20-RM30 per hour for sightseeing.
The Causeway - Linking Johor to Singapore
Construction began on the 1,038m Causeway in 1920 and was completed in 1924. This popular transit point to and from Singapore supports both road and railway links. Parallel to the link are also large pipes that bring clean fresh water from Malaysia into Singapore. Immigration and Customs checkpoints are based at the entrance to the Causeway.
Residents from Johor cross the causeway to work in Singapore daily making this the busiest part of Johor. The Johor Causeway carries some 60,000 vehicles to and from Singapore every day. A nominal toll is charged for all vehicles that enter Malaysia from Singapore.
Despite the availability of other modes of transport like air travel, ferry, railway and a second crossing, the Singapore-Johor Bahru Causeway still remains as the most frequently-used mode for commuting between the two cities. A second bridge links Tanjung Kupang 30km southwest of Johor Bahru, to Tuas in Singapore. This bridge serves as an alternative crossing to the Causeway, and is often less congested.
During the Second World War, the Causeway was partly demolished by the British Army to prevent Japanese soldiers from advancing and invading Singapore. However, the Japanese soldiers soon resolved matters by repairing the broken link and the Causeway resumed its role as an important transport link.
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