Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru, commonly called JB, is the capital of the Malaysian state of Johor and the country's southern gateway, sitting directly across the Strait of Johor from Singapore. It is the core of Malaysia's second-largest urban area and a fast-changing city where historic shophouses, modern towers, shopping malls and cross-border commuter life sit side by side.

The city grew from a small trading settlement known as Tanjung Puteri, founded in 1855 and later renamed Johor Bahru, meaning 'New Johor'. Its landmarks reflect this layered history: the grand Istana Besar and Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, the royal mausoleum, and heritage streets such as Jalan Tan Hiok Nee with its restored Chinese shophouses and cafés.

Around the centre, districts such as Danga Bay, Taman Pelangi, Tebrau and the waterfront area near the Causeway offer different experiences, from night markets and local food streets to malls, galleries and family attractions. Visitors cross the Johor–Singapore Causeway or Second Link for easy access to both Johor and Singapore.

Johor Bahru is also the heart of Iskandar Malaysia, the state's economic corridor, drawing business travellers to industrial parks, logistics hubs, medical facilities and a growing events and hospitality scene. The city's food culture blends Malay, Chinese and Indian traditions, with local favourites such as laksa Johor, mee rebus and otak-otak found across hawker centres and neighbourhood stalls.

For travellers, Johor Bahru works both as a standalone destination and as a convenient base near Singapore, offering history, shopping, street food and regional road links toward Desaru, Kota Tinggi and other parts of Johor.