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At the
Southern tip of Asia lies a precious stone.
Johor, Malaysia, has it
all
 Johor,
the southern gateway to Malaysia, has all to make your holiday an
exciting and enjoyable adventure. Watch the kuda kepang, a dance steeped
in mythology. Visit the Sultan Ibrahim Building, the only living Royal
Museum and the palace into a time zone of century of exquisite culture
and tradition. Johor's ceramics and handicrafts are some of the most
artistic and creative. Dine at the most exotic places for seafood and
the laksa, Johor's popular dish. Kukup, a town famous for its
mouth-watering seafood, has restaurants on stilts by the sea.
Bask in the tranquility
and the serenity of the countryside, on the casuarinas-lined beaches of
Desaru or in the crystal clear waters of the islands for jet skiing,
scuba diving or even fishing. Or walk through a million years of flora
and fauna at the Endau-Rompin National Park. Then while in Johor Bahru
city, stroll though the dozen shopping malls for the best bargains in
designer fashion. You may also try your best handicap at the many
challenging designer golf courses around the city, and in some major
town, by the beach.
Lots of fond memories to bring home to.
JOHOR-The Southern
Gateway to Malaysia
The transformation of modem Johor
took place in the 19th century under the reign of HRH Sultan Abu Bakar.
He gave Johor the first constitution for a Malay state and introduced a
proper system of administrative government and began Johor's drive
toward stability and prosperity. In 1885 he was given official
recognition as the Sultan of Johor by Queen Victoria and earned the
title as 'the Father of Modern Johor'.
By virtue of its geographic position,
Johor holds the inimitable distinction, logistically as being at the
southernmost tip of the Asian continent. Strategically significant,
Johor is also at the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsular surrounded
on three sides: to the west by the Straits of Malacca, to the east by
the South China Sea and to the south by the Straits of Johor. The word
Johor itself literally means 'precious jewel' and is taken from the
Arabic word "Jauhar" showing the influence of the early Arab traders.
Johor has much to offer travelers such as
its rich history, colorful culture, shopping and entertainment
attractions, with a large number located in Johor Bahru city such as the
Royal Museum, the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, the Sultan Ibrahim Building
and the lstana Bukit Serene.
Under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Singapore Growth Triangle Johor plays a
major role. As the state capital, of Johor Bahru is linked to Singapore
by causeway. With the high demand and rapid development, the government
has built the Second Link to Singapore from Gelang Patah to Tuas, which
provides better facilities for travelers. At present, Johor Bahru has
also become a shopping haven for travellers especially from Singapore.
Outside the Klang Valley, Johor
has the largest number of golf courses. Until 1992, there were barely 10
courses and most of them are 9 hole courses. Today, Johor have nearly 30
courses - 3 of the golf courses have [ 54 holes while another 3 golf
courses also offer night golfing. Compared to the neighboring countries,
the Green Fees are definitely cheap.
 Agro
tourism comes quite naturally to the state. You can visit the rubber and
palm oil plantations, and local fruit farms for day visits or long stays
with a local family in the Homestay programmer where you can participate
in harvesting or pickings, and watch the processes involved.
Alternatively, sampling the fruits can be just as fun.
Compared to other tea plantations, Johor
Tea is very unique as it is the only lowland tea plantation in this
country. Orchid Valley, the largest tropical orchid attraction in the
world has been very well received by the public since opening on 3
February 1996. Set in a beautiful exotic garden setting. Orchid Valley
offers visitors an opportunity to experience oceans of exotic tropical
orchids.
Johor Lama, historically holds
many secrets of the past, particularly since it was once the capital of
the Johor Sultanate. The capital was later moved to what is now known as
Johor Bahru. Historical sites can be found along the Johor River such as
Panchor, Kampung Johor Lama, Batu Sawar, Kampung Makam and Kota
Seberang. There are also kelongs which are made of wooden poles topped
by small shacks located near the river mouth.
Kota Tinggi is truly at the
crossroads to Johor's beautiful East Coast, great beaches along The
South China Sea, magical islands, quaint fishing villages, the
captivating mangrove swamps, tropical wonderland of rainforests,
waterfalls, refreshing streams and cool rivers teeming with vast amount
of flora and fauna in all its abundance. Aside from its strategic
location, Kota Tinggi itself has some very interesting tourist
attractions to offer in terms of beauty, history and place to visit. The
Kota Tinggi Waterfalls for years have been renowned, not only for its
continuous rush of cascading cool waters that run down the slopes
originating from Gunung Panti, but also for its beautiful, tropical
surroundings of flora and fauna.
South East Johor offers
nature in majestic abundance where there are about 40km of tropical,
golden sandy beaches that stretch from the eastern tip of the peninsular
to Teluk Ramunia passing through Desaru, Sedili Besar and Sedili Kecil.
Desaru, which comprises of 26 kilometers of beach front is considered
the best in terms of sand, surf and sea. Desaru offers almost every type
of accommodation to travelers, from low-budget campsites for the more
adventurous travelers, chalets for families to luxurious hotel rooms.
For those who love fishing, Pengerang is a paradise with its picturesque
fishing villages.
Destined to be Asia's foremost international yachting, golfing 6 holiday
destination, Sebana Cove's claims are fast becoming a reality in the
heart of the region's fastest growing tourism belt. Sebana Cc is
sprawled on 1,200 acres amidst the emerald panorama of tropical
rainforests and mangrove. This total resort concept is the o development
that parcels an international standard residential marina, a 27 hole
membership golf course, luxurious waterfront properties and a 300 room
resort hotel.
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Mersing is currently the main staging
point to the off-shore islands Johor Of all the islands, the foremost
are Pulau Rawa, Pulau Sibu, Pulau Tinggi, Pulau Besar, Pulau Hujung,
Pulau Tengah, Pulau Pemanggil and Pulau Aur. These islands have
stretches of beautiful beaches, surrounded by crystal clear waters
teeming with coral reefs and marine life. Some of the islands have been
gazetted as marine parks to protect and preserve the productive
ecosystem support some of the most active aquatic life in the world.
Mersing also offers
travelers great scenic variety in its rural, natural and agricultural
landscapes, picturesque fishing activities and attractive beaches.
Gunung Arong situated l7 kilometers from Mersing, is a forest reserve
well endowed with Meranti trees and a river that meanders through this
area makes it suitable for picnic activities. About 15 kilometers to the
north of Mersing town is Air Papan, an attractive interesting village.
Its beach is surrounded by hills with a variety of trees and palms.
There are plenty to do and see in Kluang,. At nearby Gunung Lambak, rain
forest, waterfalls is a recreational park within the mountain there rain
forest, waterfalls, and hiking trails. At the right time of the year,
you might be able to witness the migration of the fruit bats to the
mountain. The forest reserve located at Gunung Belumut in Kluang is a
place with unique flora and fauna. Along the course of its rivers are
several waterfalls with pools at its bottom.
Endau-Rompin National Park
which is made up of pristine tropical rainforest, is the second largest
national park in Peninsular Malaysia covering an area of 48 905
hectares. Here, the rock formation dating back to 248 million years.
The Endau-Rompin National
Park, which is mostly hilly with some prominent sandstone plateau, is
the watershed of several rivers including the Sungai Endau, Sungai Selai
and Sungai Jasin. Among places of interest which can be found here are
the Orang Asli settlement in Kampung Peta and the waterfalls in Upih
Guling and Buaya Sangkut. Endau-Rompin National Park is also special as
it is the home and sanctuary to the largest Malaysian population of rare
Sumatran rhinocerous, which are endangered species.
Gunung Ledang (Mount Ophir) at 1276 meters is the highest mountain in
Johor and also the best known mountain in Peninsular Malaysia. Situated
38km from Bandar Maharani and close to the border with Malacca, is very
accessible. There are 2 trails to the peak either the Malacca, it Asahan
trail from the north-west or the Sagil trail from the south. If the
weather is good, the outline of Sumatra can be seen from the summit.
Gunung Ledang is in fact, part of an ecological rainforest considered to
have one of the richest flora species in the world.
Tanjung Piai, which is
situated in Mukim Serkat, Pontian, is geographically the southernmost
tip of the Asian mainland. It offers a very scenic view of the Straits
of Malacca. Fishing is still the livelihood for many of its inhabitants
and the area is surrounded by one of the largest mangrove swamplands in
Asia, home to the fascinating tree climbing and scavenging macaque
monkeys. Tanjung Piai is also home to one of nature's seldom seen
spectacular phenomena, the fireflies. When certain conditions prevail,
these fireflies will swarm and transform the mangrove swamp into a
twinkling wonderland.
Over the years, millions of
visitors from all over the globe have visited Johor. As the southern
gateway to Malaysia, Johor has everything to make your holiday
worthwhile and a memorable adventure. Naturally, with all the above
wonders, our food, culture and fascinating people reflect Malaysia's
diversity.
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