Johor is the southern gateway into Peninsular Malaysia and is linked to Singapore by road and rail. Its proximity to Singapore has made it a popular destination among Singaporeans as well as other international tourists visiting the island republic. It is the only state in the country that boasts of a coastline stretching along the straits of Melaka to the South China Sea. The state is endowed with an abundance of natural attractions that provide numerous opportunities for a wide range of outdoor recreational and leisure activities.
When in Johor Bharu, the capital of the state, take time off to tour the city or shop around. Interesting spots are the Royal Museum, the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, the Grand Palace, the Johor Art Gallery, the Mawar Handicraft Centre and Dataran Bandaraya built in Bahru's declaration as a city.
Souvenir and handicraft stores and modern shopping complexes all offer a multitude of items at reasonable prices.

Those who yearn for jungle adventures will find the Endau Rompin National Park in the north eastern border of the state to be a haven for unspoilt nature. The park is home to many unique and endemic varieties of tropical plants and visitors have reported occasional wildlife sightings. The popular Kota Tinggi waterfalls, 56km north of Johor Bahru is a refreshing spot for picnics. A drive through the large tracts of oil palm and coffee plantations in Klung makes a pleasant and eye-opening experience. Head for Kukup, a picturesque fishing village on the south-west coast and visit its fascinating fish farms. Round off your trip by stopping at the town to taste the fresh and delicious seafood offerings. Or visit the mangrove swamps of Tanjung Piai to see exotic aquatic life.
Johor's premier beach resort is at Desaru, a magnificent 25km stretch of sandy beach flanking the South China Sea. The resort has three hotels and is just the right place to unwind and indulge in a host of carefree activities such as fishing, snorkeling, windsurfing, boating, canoeing, swimming and jungle-trekking. Off Johor's eastern coast, amid the clear blue waters of South China Sea are the islands of Pulau Rawa, Pulau Sibu, Pulau Aur, Pulau Besar and Pulau Pemanggil. All these idyllic islands have accommodation and offer excellent scuba diving, snorkeling, wind-surfing, sailing and other activities.

Getting There
Air: Sultan Ismail International Airport
Rail: Johao Bahru Station, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak
Road: Bus station, Jalan Getak Merah. For road travelers, a network of roads exits from the North-South Highway to tourist destinations in Johor.
Johor-Singapore links: The Johor-Singapore Causeway with road/rail line.
Second Link Bridge links Singapore to Tanjung Kupang in southwestern Johor
Sea: Ferry links regularly between Tanjung Belungkor in Johor and Changi Point in Singapore.

Capital: Johor Bahru
Built ny Sultan Abu Bakar in 1855, the pleasant coastal city has a number of attractions like Palace Grounds and Johor Lama.