Johor possesses a wide range of attractions">

Johor possesses a wide range of attractions"> Johor possesses a wide range of attractions"> Johor possesses a wide range of attractions, from the exciting metropolitan atmosphere of  Johor Bahru to the forests of Endau-Rompin Park, favored by vacationers seeking a relaxed and natural holiday environment, while the state's commercial centres attract businesspeople from all over the world, Johor offers something to everyone. In Johor, along Malaysia's East Coast, are a number of locations favored by vacationers seeking a more relaxed, nature-oriented holiday environment. The seas around Johor contain a colorful and fascinating variety of underwater life and offer visitors a wide choice of activities. Johor's offshore territory offers respite as well. It consists of a string of several clusters of small, idyllic islands dotting the South China Sea to the east of the Malay Peninsula. --- PLACES TO VISIT  --- Johor Bahru Johor Bahru is a vibrant and exciting commercial city, offering a host of sporting events, a pulsing nightlife, outstanding shopping and accommodations, and a wide array of fine restaurants. The city also contains a number of cultural and historical attractions, including the Sultan Abu Bakar mosque, the imposing civic space of the Dataran Bandaraya, the State Secretariat Building, and most notably the Royal Abu Bakar Museum in the Grand Palace. Johor Bahru is linked to Singapore via its 1,056-meter causeway, a dramatic road, rail, and pedestrian link across the Straits of Johor. Royal Abu Bakar Museum Said to be one of the finest museums in the world in terms of its ambience and its dazzling display of cultural treasures, the Royal Abu Bakar Museum occupies the Istana Besar, or Grand Palace, built by Sultan Abu Bakar in 1866. The museum was founded in 1990 by Johor's present ruler, His Majesty Sultan Iskandar, and its collection consists of the treasures of the Royal Family. In addition to an extensive art collection, the museum displays the ceremonial regalia, personal memorabilia, furniture, objets d'arts, and cultural artifacts accumulated by the Royal Family over the course of its reign. Its hours are 10am to 6pm daily, except on Fridays when the museum is closed. Admission is as follows: non-Malaysians, US$7.00 (adults), US$3.00 (children under 12); Malaysians, RM5.00 (adults), RM1.00 (children under twelve and schoolchildren in uniform). For further information, contact the Abu Bakar Royal Museum Johor, Istana Besar, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor. Tel: 07-220351. Muar Muar is a picturesque town along the western peninsular coast. Also known as Bandar Maharani, Muar is in many ways a smaller version of Malacca, its more famous neighbor. Muar is particularly renowned for its outstanding cuisine, with many restaurants as well as food stalls serving irresistible local delicacies. Mersing Mersing is a pleasant fishing town, known primarily as the departure point for some of the most beautiful islands in the South China Sea--including the legendary Pulau Tioman. Mount Ophir The legendary beauty of Mount Ophir has made it one of Johor's most popular attractions for hikers and birdwatchers. The mountain offers several nature trails to its summit, some lovely waterfalls, and modern facilities for camping and picnicking. Pontian and Kukup These two tiny fishing villages along Johor's southwestern coast offer some of the best fresh seafood in the region. The houses, as well as the restaurants, are built in traditional style on stilts at the water's edge. Tanjung Piai Tanjung Piai, situated in the midst of an extensive area of mangrove forest, provides visitors with an glimpse of the richness of Malaysia's coastal fauna as well as an experience of traditional kampung life. Multi-coloured mangrove crabs, beady-eyed mudskippers, and crab-eating macaques abound here. Desaru Desaru, or the "Village of Casuarinas," is a twenty-five kilometer stretch of sandy beach fringed by caesarian trees. It lies on the south-east corner of Johor, next to lush tropical forests, and is quite popular with wealthy Singaporeans and Malaysians. A host of facilities for sea sports are available in Desaru, including swimming, snorkeling, boating, canoeing, windsurfing, water-skiing, and catamaran-sailing. Fishermen's Museum Located at the tiny fishing village of Tanjung Balau, this intimate and fascinating museum displays various artifacts of the region's long history as a center of the fishing trade, including traps, tackles, and floats. It also offers presentations of local fishing lore. --- -- BEACHES    -- Pulau Rawa, Pulau Tengah, & Pulau Besar These three islands lie in a small group just a short ferry ride from Mersing. The availability of boats for hire makes island hopping one of the most enjoyable activities here. The most popular of the three islands is Pulau Rawa, located sixteen kilometers off the coast. It is a beautiful island with white sand, coves, and superb clear waters for water activities. Comfortable chalet-style accommodations are available on the island, and equipment for recreational water activities such as snorkeling, diving, and fishing can be hired. Visitors are advised to contact Rawa Safaris in Mersing (Tel: 07-7991204/5) for advance bookings, as Pulau Rawa is a favorite destination among Singaporeans and international travelers. Pulau Besar, just south of Pulau Rawa, is an outstanding dive destination. A full range of accommodation is available on the island. Between the two lies Pulau Tengah, an uninhabited island nine miles from the Malay coast. During the 1970s, the island gained attention as a Vietnamese refugee transit camp, which was closed in the 1980s. In 1985, Pulau Tengah was one of the few islands designated by the Malaysian government as a Marine Park. The island possesses a remarkable abundance of marine life, including rare species of fish and coral. In July, giant leatherback turtles emerge from the sea to lay their eggs here. Pulau Tinggi and Pulau Sibu are the next islands in the string, lying further south along the Peninsula. Like Pulau Tioman, its world-famous cousin, Pulau Tinggi has for centuries served as a shelter and stopover for traders plying the East-West spice route. This mountainous and largely uninhabited island is naturally endowed with fresh water, a sheltered harbor, fruits, rattan, and timber, as well as a some very fine beaches. Tinggi's long coastline of untouched white-sand, dotted with intimate coves, may seem reason enough to visit. However, the island also owes much of its fame to the vividly hued coral reefs, teeming with marine life, that sit offshore. Butterfly fish, angel fish, and black grouper, to name but a few, make this island an underwater photographer's heaven. Pulau Sibu is a refreshing hideaway. The island abounds with lush tropical vegetation and endless stretches of golden beaches, and offers facilities for snorkeling, diving, wind surfing, sailing, and angling. Pulau Sibu is reached by ferry from Tanjung Sedili. Pulau Sibu Tengah, located further south along the coast, has been developed as a rustic resort destination, offering a host of watersports activities, tennis, and even a discotheque. There is ferry service to the island from Tanjung Leman. Two other Johor islands, further from the coast, are Pulau Pemanggil and Pulau Aur. Pulau Pemanggil is a rather large and deservedly popular resort destination, noted for its abundant marine life and clear waters. Pulau Aur, a much smaller island to the southeast of Pemanggil, is famous for its unusual scenic beauty. Secluded lagoons and offshore pools make Pulau Aur an unparalleled destination for idyllic bathing.