You Are Going to Love Johor! Here is Your Epic Guide!

OMG! I am so excited to tell you about this! You know how everyone always talks about Singapore? Well, there is this place right next to it called Johor, and it is finally getting the love it deserves! For a long time, people just skipped it, but now it is the place to be. It is way cheaper than Singapore, the food is better (yeah, I said it!), and there is so much cool stuff to do. Grab a snack because I wrote down everything you need to know for your trip!

Crossing the Bridge is an Adventure!

Okay, so first things first. Most people get to Johor by crossing a big bridge from Singapore. It is called the Causeway. Here is a pro tip: do not go on a Friday night or a Monday morning because the traffic is crazy! You will be sitting there forever. Instead, go on a Tuesday at 10:00 AM. It will cost you about $2 for a bus ticket, or you can take a train for about $4. The train is way faster and you get a cool view of the water. Make sure you have your passport ready! When you get to the other side, you will feel the energy right away. It is loud, it is fun, and it smells like amazing grilled food!

The Food is Honestly Life-Changing

You are going to eat so much, and you won’t even feel bad about it because it is so cheap! You have to go to a place called Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Street. It is this old part of town with bright colors. You need to find the bakery called Hiap Joo. You will see a long line, but stay in it! They bake banana cake in a giant wood-fired oven. It costs $3 for a big box. It is warm, soft, and smells like heaven. When you get your cake, stand right in front of the red and white wall across the street for a photo. Your hair will look great and the cake is the best prop!

For lunch, you must order Laksa Johor. It is not like other laksa. They use spaghetti noodles! It sounds weird but it is so good. The broth is thick and fishy and spicy. Find a small stall where you see local families eating. A bowl will only cost you $4. If you want something fancy for dinner, go get Curry Fish Head at Kam Long Ah Zhai. It sounds scary but it is delicious. Order the medium pot for $12 and get extra bread to soak up the sauce. It is spicy, so buy a cold lime juice for $1 to keep your mouth from melting!

Where to Take the Best Photos

You know I love a good photo for the ‘gram, and Johor has the best spots! First, go to the Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple. This place is wild. Almost everything inside is made of glass. It is so shiny! Stand right under the big chandelier in the middle. The light hits the glass and makes you look like you are glowing. It costs $3 to go in, and it is totally worth it. Just remember to take your shoes off!

Then, you have to visit Puteri Harbour. It is a fancy area with lots of boats. Go there right before the sun sets. The sky turns pink and orange, and the water looks like gold. Stand on the wooden dock with the big yachts behind you. It makes you look like a millionaire even though your dinner only cost $5! It is totally free to walk around there.

Fun Stuff You Can’t Miss

If you like being a kid again, you have to go to Legoland! I know, I know, you think it is for kids, but the “Miniland” area is so cool. They built all of Asia out of tiny Lego bricks. You can see the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China. It is amazing to look at. A ticket is about $45. Also, go to the night market called Pasar Karat. It starts when it gets dark. You can buy funny t-shirts, old coins, and the best street snacks. I found a cool vintage jacket there for only $8! Make sure you haggle a little bit. If they say $10, you say $7, and you will probably get it for $8.

How Much Cash Should You Bring?

The best part about Johor is that your money goes a really long way. You can live like a king on a tiny budget. I made a little chart for you so you can see what I mean. Grab is the app you use to get around. It is like Uber but way cheaper. Most rides around the city are only $3 to $5!

Is It Safe? Why Now?

People used to say Johor was a bit messy, but not anymore! It is super clean now and there are new malls and parks everywhere. Everyone is really friendly too. If you look lost, someone will probably help you out. It is having a “moment” because people realized they can have a luxury vacation for a fraction of the price of Singapore or Bali. Plus, the vibe is just really chill. You don’t have to dress up fancy to go out. You can just wear your favorite t-shirt and flip-flops and no one cares!

Wait, One More Thing!

You have to go to the Mid Valley Southkey mall. I usually hate malls, but this one is special. It is giant! You can buy clothes for way less than at home. They have all the big brands, but also local shops with cute stuff. Get a bubble tea for $3 and just walk around. It is a great place to go if it starts raining, which happens a lot in the afternoon. When it rains, just find a seat near the window and watch the clouds. It is actually really peaceful.

Pack Your Bags!

Seriously, stop thinking about it and just go! Johor is the hidden gem we have been looking for. It is fun, yummy, and your wallet will thank you. I promise you will have the best time ever. Just don’t forget to bring an umbrella and a hungry stomach!

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