The upcoming RTS Link will change how you travel to JB, taking you from Woodlands North Station in Singapore to Bukit Chagar RTS Station in JB in just 5 minutes. While Bukit Chagar isn’t quite JB Sentral, there’s still a bunch of things to do near the Bukit Chagar RTS Station once you step off the train.
We’ve helped to suss out what’s actually worth checking out around the new station when it opens – bookmark this list for your next JB trip.
Image credit: @skyscapejb via Instagram
Soak in the views of downtown JB and Woodlands just across the road from Bukit Chagar RTS Station. Skyscape Johor Bahru is an observation deck situated on the 34th floor of Menara Jland with a glass sky bridge 149m above ground.
Image adapted from: Skyscape Johor Bahru via Facebook
This attraction also features a mini theatre, a VR area, and interactive floor games for little ones. Tickets for a 2-hour session start from S$11.60/adult and S$8.55/child for non-Malaysians. Do note that you’ll need to purchase anti-slip socks for the sky bridge for an additional RM2 (~S$0.61).
Purchase tickets for Skyscape Johor Bahru.
Image credit: @mimi_jmy via Instagram
Not many people know this, but the world’s first glass temple can be found in JB. Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple is a Hindu temple that’s fully covered in mosaic glass tiles. Just picture its facade dazzling brightly on a clear sunny day.
Image credit: @4shikatsu via Instagram
Its interior, also covered in glass, is filled with sculptures and statues of other religious figures as a sign of respect. While this temple is open to the public, there’s an admission fee of RM15 (~S$4.56) for foreigners. Remember to be respectful and follow the temple’s rules when visiting, such as dressing modestly.
Permas Bridge in JB.
Image credit: Afifi Zulkifle via Unsplash
After hopping off the RTS Link, consider renting a car in JB from Causeway Car Rental for your Malaysia road trip to Kulai or Penang. They offer 4 different car types, including a Hatchback, Minivan, Sedan, and SUV – suitable for solo travellers or big groups.
Toyota Vellfire.
Image credit: @ksb51r via Instagram
Renting a Perodua Alza starts from RM180/day (~S$54.69) – the longer you book, the lower the daily rate. For a luxurious and comfortable drive, the Toyota Vellfire will take you and your family to your destination from RM650/day (~S$197.50). New customers will get to enjoy a 10% discount on their first booking, while everyone else is entitled to a 15% discount on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
As Singaporeans, we are naturally drawn to malls and air conditioning. Luckily, Komtar JBCC and City Square Mall are located near the Bukit Chagar RTS Station for your shopping, dining, entertainment, and wellness needs.
Komtar JBCC is filled with fashion outlets, such as Brands Outlet and F.O.S if you’re looking to revamp your wardrobe. Whether you’re craving fresh sushi from Kinsahi Japanese Restaurant or Marrybrown’s fried chicken, you can find them there.
Pop by next door to City Square Mall to catch a movie at mmCineplexes or play a game of laser tag at Laser Battle. And of course, you can’t go to JB without pampering yourself in a well-deserved Thai massage at Siam Oasis.
Image credit: @capribyfraserjb via Instagram
Even though the RTS Link is set to quicken the travel to and fro, it won’t hurt to book a hotel in JB so you’ll have more time for late-night activities like indulging in lok lok and going for midnight bowling. Capri by Fraser Johor Bahru is an affordable 4-star hotel located just around the corner from the future Bukit Chagar RTS Station.
24/7 gym access.
Image credit: @capribyfraserjb via Instagram
A Studio Deluxe room starts from S$105/night, but for a more atas experience, book the One Bedroom Deluxe room with sea views from S$187/night. Aside from access to the hotel’s swimming pool and the 24/7 gym, there are many food options located nearby, such as Warung Roti Canai Bukit Chagar and Amg Burger House.
Book a room at Capri by Fraser Johor Bahru.
Image credit: Sage Tan via Google Maps
Warung Roti Canai Bukit Chagar should be the first place you visit after leaving the Bukit Chagar RTS Station if you’re looking to tuck into a hearty and authentic Malaysian breakfast. This spot only serves their roti canai (from RM1.50, ~S$0.46) from 7am to 12pm, so the early bird gets the worm.
Most customers order the crispy roti canai sarang burung – sometimes known as the “bird’s nest roti canai” – it comes with 2 eggs encased in a ring of crispy dough. It’s not something you can find in most prata eateries in Singapore.
Image credit: Mohammad Fathullah via Google Maps
Amg Burger House is a humble roadside store that serves up Ramly burgers between 3.30pm and 2am, perfect for a late-night snack before heading back to Singapore via the RTS Link. A chicken and beef burger will set you back RM5 (~S$1.52), while a mutton, venison, and – for the adventurous folks – rabbit meat burger starts from RM7.50 (~S$2.28).
Image adapted from: John Lykke & Emy Othman via Google Maps
It’s not everywhere you can get food and a show. At Restoran Star Hadramout, the waiters are known for serving in style – watch them spin and dance in their LED outfits, while interacting with guests.
A fan favourite on the menu is their Mixed Grill (from RM100, ~S$30.38), which is more than enough for 4 to 5 people. The spread includes lamb kebab and tika, chicken kebab and shih taouk, and grilled half chicken with lubnani bread.
The restaurant can get quite crowded during dinner and especially on weekends, so take note and plan your itinerary accordingly.
Image adapted from: Stanley Pang via Google Maps, @so3dna.kl via Instagram
While Storia Cafe sells classics like mee siam and dough fritters, the star of the show is the otak otak (RM1.20, ~S$0.46). Its affordable price tag certainly doesn’t match the explosion of flavours this bite-sized delicacy offers.
Regular customers also recommend ordering a fragrant plate of nasi lemak (from RM3.50, ~S$1.06) with sweet and spicy sambal on the side to pair with the otak otak.
Image credit: Fufu Foodcraft via Facebook
Add Fufu Cafe & Dessert Bar to your list of cafes in JB to visit. Prices here aren’t as wallet-friendly as the other eateries on this list, but they’re reasonable for cafe food – especially if you compare them to SG cafes.
Japan-inspired waffles.
Image credit: Ivan Lee via Google Maps
Don’t miss their country-inspired waffles menu, where the ingredients and flavours are thoughtfully selected to represent each country. Their Malaysia Waffles (RM29, ~S$8.80) come with a pandan-infused waffle topped with kaya orange gelato, palm sugar coconut, and house-made citrus jam; while their Japan Waffles (RM35, ~S$10.62) feature a charcoal waffle topped with matcha gelato, red beans, strawberries, and toasted matcha crumble with a house-made strawberry compote.
Image adapted from: Tea Room by Afters Pastry via Facebook
Tea Room by Afters Pastry is a quiet cafe further away from JB Sentral. It’s located in the Kim Teng Park estate, which is a 5-minute walk from the Bukit Chagar RTS Station.
Order a Mushroom Chicken Rice (RM26.90, ~S$8.16) for lunch and wash it down with a selection of signature teas, such as Sweet Summer – a lychee and yuzu mix – for RM15 (~S$4.55).
The cafe also hosts daily acrylic painting sessions (from RM48, ~S$14.58), which include a canvas, painting materials, and an iced peach tea or hot tea.
By the time the station is completed, a mixed-use development with a retail section will be fully integrated and linked with the CIQ Complex and Bukit Chagar RTS Station. This gives us newer activities and eateries, but when you take the RTS Link next year, don’t forget to show some love to these businesses too.
For more JB reads:
Cover image adapted from: Tea Room by Afters Pastry via Facebook, @mimi_jmy & @skyscapejb via Instagram
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