Johar Bahru Introduction

Johor Bahru, also spelled Johor Baru or Johore Bahru and near-universally abbreviated as JB, is the city and the capital of Johor in southern Malaysia. It is the second largest city in the country, after the national capital, Kuala Lumpur. With a population of approximately 500,000 and about 1.5 million in the metropolitan area, the city is an important industrial, tourism and commercial hub. The population growth rate of Johor Bahru is also among the highest in Malaysia. Tourism is a significant contributor to the city's economy, as it receives 60% of the country's annual 16 million foreign tourists via its bridges and road links to Singapore. However, Johor Bahru's highly developed industrial base has made the city one of the biggest industrial centres of the country.

Johor Bahru enjoys the unique distinction of being the southernmost city of the Asian mainland.

Johar Bahru Weather

Johor is a tropical state, with a relatively stable temperature within the range of 26°C to 27°C throughout the year. January through April is generally dry and warm, but humidity in the lowlands is consistently 82-86 percent annually. Average rainfall a year ranges from 2,030 mm to 3,050 mm. Do take note that the wettest months are from May till December.

Johar Bahru Attractions

The city of Johor Bahru has many opportunities for the visitor stricken with the shopping bug. One of the liveliest places in the country, visitors should try Johor’s delicious food while on a night out in the city.

Desaru

This is a beautiful 26 km stretch of white sandy beaches. Located in the district of Kota Tinggi, there is plenty of accommodation available, from budget resorts to family-run chalets. Families can expect to enjoy water sports such as canoeing or water skiing. There’s even a theme park for the children nearby.

Pulau Pemanggil

The island of Pemanggil has beautiful seas for snorkelling and scuba-diving. It is accessible via the Mersing jetty or Tanjung Leman staging point.

Endau-Rompin National Park

Nature-lovers should not miss the opportunity to visit the Endau-Rompin Park for its untouched forests and a breath-taking beauty beyond words. Some of the wonderful sights here include the gigantic fan palm tree, 248-million-year-old rock formations, legendary waterfalls and great fishing opportunities. The park is accessible via the Mersing district.

Gunung Ledang

The mysterious mountain of Ledang tells the tale of a Sumatran Princess who spurned the love of a Malaccan Sultan and was exiled here as a result. Otherwise, the mountain attracts climbers, campers and picnickers who come here to enjoy the marvellous scenery set amidst a backdrop of supernatural encounters. Gunung Ledang is located in the Muar district.

Sultan Ibrahim Building

The building is a famous landmark in Johor Bahru, having been built in the 1940s’ with a blend of architecture from the East and West. It was formerly used by the Japanese during the war for storing goods and as a fortress. Today it houses the State Secretariat.

Royal Sultan Abu Bakar Museum

The Royal Museum in Johor Bahru is housed within a palace called the ‘Istana Besar’ or Grand Palace. The museum houses a large collection of royal heirlooms and a record of Johor’s history. This is a great place to learn about Johor’s illustrious history.

Kite Museum

The Kite Museum in Pasir Gudang is a fascinating display of colourful kites in all manner of designs and shapes. It also showcases the art of making kites besides hosting the annual International Kite Festival.

Pineapple Museum

Lean all about the cultivation and production of pineapple in Malaysia’s only museum dedicated to the acidic fruit. Located in Pontian, visitors will also discover the many uses of Pineapple from its fruit to the leaves.

Ayer Hitam

The town of Ayer Hitam is known for its ceramic pottery. Lines and lines of shops offer an array of ceramic articles which you can bring back home as a souvenir.

Johar Bahru History

Johor Bahru was founded in 1855 by Temenggung Daeng Ibrahim, the father of Sultan Abu Bakar, one of the best-remembered of all Malay Sultans. The town was originally named Tanjung Puteri, and it had its beginnings as a small Malay fishing village. Sultan Abu Bakar changed the name to Johor Bahru when he proclaimed it the capital of his kingdom in 1866, after he moved the seat of government from the old capital at Teluk Belanga in Singapore.

Sultan Abu Bakar was descended from Temenggong Abdul Rahman, the local chief who signed the initial treaty with the British when they sought permission to lease Singapore island in 1819. Much of the prosperity Johor enjoys today can be traced directly to Sultan Abu Bakar's success in persuading British and Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in agricultural estates in the area. Sultan Abu Bakar took a great interest in planning and laying out his royal city of Johor Bahru; consequently, many buildings and places in the city today bear his name and marks. For example, the Royal Abu Bakar Museum,Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque and Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar, which is also the oldest school in Johor are named after him.

Johor Bahru has witnessed a few major Malaysian historical events such as the establishment of the leading political party in Malaysia, UMNO (United Malays National Organisation), in 1946. Since the independence of Malaysia, Johor Bahru has witnessed massive development under the Malaysian government.

On 1 January 1994, Johor Bahru was officially granted city status and Dato Hashim Yahya became the first mayor (Datuk Bandar). The City Square was constructed to commemorate this event.

Pasir Pelangi, the 'royal town' is located within Johor Bahru.