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An
Introduction
Located at the southern tip of the Peninsula, Johor Bahru
is the state capital of Johor Darul Takzim. JB, in short, was established in 1855 by the
late Sultan Abu Bakar (the Father of Modern Johor) and now serves as the administrative
and commercial center of the state.
Connected to Singapore by road and rail via a modern
causeway, JB is also the Peninsula's southern gateway. Consisting of a diverse ethnic mix
of races, JB offers the visitor heritage attractions, colorful culture, delectable local
cuisine, and exciting recreational activities.
Popular with Singaporeans, JB boasts of myriad landmarks,
such as The Grand Palace with its distinct Anglo-Malay architecture, which houses the
museum where priceless treasures of the Royal Collection are showcased.
The "Ghazal" music, which is unique to Johor,
is usually performed during cultural shows and weddings. Another famous performance
distinctly Johorean is the "Kuda Kepang" dance, which is spun from tales of
Islamic heroes. Dancers imitate the movement of horses to the music of a traditional
orchestra.
Shopping opportunities abound in JB. Modern malls,
arcades, handicraft centers, bazaars and markets offering international and local products
all vie for attention. Local craftwork is sure to catch the eye and they do make lovely
souvenirs of a trip here. Furthermore, there is the JB Duty Free Complex located at the JB
International Ferry Terminal. Known as "ZON", it is a large duty free department
store and supermarket encompassing 163 retail outlets, a hypermarket, and 30,000 feet of
shopping area. The complex offers a variety of goods such as branded designer wear from
London, Paris, New York and the likes. Glassware, confectionery, and other items are also
offered.
Another interesting side of JB can be experienced when
night falls over the city. A sumptuous array of food stalls and vendors appear (as if by
magic) and the adventurous tourist should delight in trying out the taste of popular local
dishes such as the famous Laksa Johor, flake fish and gravy cooked with coconut milk and
served with noodles and vegetables.
Getting
There & Moving Around
By Air :Regulars flights from Johor Bahru's Senai Airport connects
the state capital with Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, Kuching, and Kuala Lumpur.
By Road :Taxis are a popular and cheap mode of transportation. All
urban taxis are fitted with meters. An additional 50% is charged between the hours of 12
a.m. and 6 a.m. It is also possible to hire an outstation taxi on a shared or individual
basis to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Kuantan, and Kota Bahru. Johor Bahru is also
well served by express buses offering comfortable rides at reasonable fares from all major
cities and towns in Peninsular Malaysia.
By Rail :Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) offers numerous train services
connecting Singapore and other states through the Johor Bahru Railway Station.
By Sea :A ferry link provides a new way to travel between Singapore
and Malaysia. It operates daily between Changi Point near the Singapore International
Airport and Tanjung Belungkor in Johor.
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