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Located at
the southern tip of the Peninsula, Johor
Bahru is the state capital of Johor
Darul Takzim. JB, in short, was established
in 1855 by the late Sultan Abu Bakar (the
Father of Modern Johor) and now serves as
the administrative and commercial center of
the state.Connected to Singapore by road and
rail via a modern causeway, JB is also the
Peninsula's southern gateway. Consisting of
a diverse ethnic mix of races, JB offers the
visitor heritage attractions, colorful
culture, delectable local cuisine, and
exciting recreational activities.Popular
with Singaporeans, JB boasts of myriad
landmarks, such as The Grand Palace with its
distinct Anglo-Malay architecture, which
houses the museum where priceless treasures
of the Royal Collection are showcased.The
"Ghazal" music, which is unique to Johor, is
usually performed during cultural shows and
weddings. Another famous performance
distinctly Johorean is the "Kuda Kepang"
dance, which is spun from tales of Islamic
heroes. Dancers imitate the movement of
horses to the music of a traditional
orchestra.
Shopping opportunities abound in JB. Modern
malls, arcades, handicraft centers, bazaars
and markets offering international and local
products all vie for attention. Local
craftwork is sure to catch the eye and they
do make lovely souvenirs of a trip here.
Furthermore, there is the JB Duty Free
Complex located at the JB International
Ferry Terminal. Known as "ZON", it is a
large duty free department store and
supermarket encompassing 163 retail outlets,
a hypermarket, and 30,000 feet of shopping
area. The complex offers a variety of goods
such as branded designer wear from London,
Paris, New York and the likes. Glassware,
confectionery, and other items are also
offered.Another interesting side of JB can
be experienced when night falls over the
city. A sumptuous array of food stalls and
vendors appear (as if by magic) and the
adventurous tourist should delight in trying
out the taste of popular local dishes such
as the famous Laksa Johor, flake fish and
gravy cooked with coconut milk and served
with noodles and vegetables. |
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