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AsiaMalaysiaJohor

Johor Bahru

Johor, Malaysia · Asia

About Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru works well as a base: 10 minutes from Marsiling, 8km from Singapore Zoo.

Johor Bahru is a city located in Johor, Malaysia. With a population of 858,118, it is an important destination in Asia.

On a road trip, Johor Bahru sits in Malaysia, where you drive on the left. It's in the Asia/Kuala Lumpur time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Johor Bahru to your route.

About Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru (JB) is the capital city of the Malaysian state of Johor. It is the core city of Johor Bahru District, Malaysia's second-largest district by population and economy. Covering an area of 373.18 km2, Johor Bahru had a population of 858,118 people in 2020, making it the nation's largest state capital city by

Read more population. It is located at the southern end of the Malay Peninsula, bordering the city-state of Singapore. As a major financial and business centre in Malaysia, Johor Bahru is Malaysia's second best-performing city behind only Kuala Lumpur, in terms of economic competitiveness, prosperity, and ease of doing business, according to the World Bank. It has the fastest urbanisation growth and internet speed among Malaysian cities. As one of the world's 100 most visited cities, Johor Bahru has the busiest land border crossing globally, via the Johor-Singapore Causeway, KTM Intercity and the future RTS Link to Singapore. Johor Bahru is served by Senai International Airport and the world's 15th-busiest port, Tanjung Pelepas. During the reign of Sultan Abu Bakar between 1886 and 1895, the city witnessed modernisation from a fishing village, with the construction of administrative centres, offices, schools, and railways to Woodlands, Singapore. Japanese forces occupied Johor Bahru during the Pacific War. Johor Bahru thus became the post-war cradle of Malay nationalism, forming a major political party, UMNO at the Istana Besar in 1946. Granted city status in 1994, Johor Bahru is currently part of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and Iskandar Malaysia, the nation's largest special economic zone by investment value.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Johor Bahru

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Johor Bahru?

Johor Bahru offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Johor Bahru?

Plan your road trip to Johor Bahru with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Johor Bahru as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Johor Bahru located?

Johor Bahru is located in Johor, Malaysia, Asia. The coordinates are 1.4655 latitude, 103.7578 longitude.

What is the population of Johor Bahru?

Johor Bahru has a population of approximately 858,118 people, making it a city in Malaysia.

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Quick Information

Population
858,118
Continent
Asia
Country
Malaysia
Region
Johor
Timezone
Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
Coordinates
1.4655, 103.7578

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Malaysia

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
994
Driving side
left
Full driving guide for Malaysia

Tags

AsiaMalaysiaJohorCity

Worth the detour from Johor Bahru

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

landmark

Singapore Zoo

Award-winning tropical zoo using open-concept enclosures set within a lush rainforest environment.

8 km · about 15 min drive

landmark

Singapore Botanic Gardens

A UNESCO World Heritage tropical garden featuring the National Orchid Garden with over 1,000 species and hybrids of orchids.

18 km · about 20 min drive

landmark

Little India

Singapore's most colorful and aromatic neighborhood with Hindu temples, spice shops, flower garlands, and authentic South Indian cuisine.

21 km · about 25 min drive

landmark

Haw Par Villa

A 1937 theme park built by the Tiger Balm brothers, best known for the Ten Courts of Hell: lurid dioramas of Buddhist punishments in painted concrete. Entry is free and it remains defiantly strange.

21 km · about 25 min drive

museum

National Gallery Singapore

Southeast Asia's largest visual arts institution, housed in two beautifully restored national monuments.

22 km · about 25 min drive

landmark

Singapore Chinatown

A vibrant district blending traditional Chinese temples, heritage shophouses, bustling hawker centers, and modern bars along Pagoda Street.

22 km · about 25 min drive

landmark

Clarke Quay

A colorful riverside quay in Singapore transformed into a vibrant nightlife and dining hub with restored warehouses along the Singapore River.

22 km · about 25 min drive

restaurant

Tiong Bahru Market

A two-storey hawker centre in Singapore's oldest housing estate, where stalls such as Jian Bo Shui Kueh and Hong Heng prawn noodles have traded for decades. Wet market below, food centre above.

22 km · about 25 min drive

When to drive here

Year-round

Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Johor Bahru.

Woodlands North Coast

🇸🇬 Singapore

3 km awayPop. 11,430

Marsiling

🇸🇬 Singapore

4 km awayPop. 22,000

Kampung Larkin Lama

🇲🇾 Malaysia

4 km awayPop. 500,000

Woodlands

🇸🇬 Singapore

5 km awayPop. 254,440

Admiralty

🇸🇬 Singapore

6 km awayPop. 13,920

Bukit Mandai Village

🇸🇬 Singapore

6 km awayPop. 2,120

Kampung Kangkar Teberau

🇲🇾 Malaysia

7 km awayPop. 412,373

Yew Tee

🇸🇬 Singapore

8 km awayPop. 39,100

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence