Swap the city sights for flourishing greeneries, birds and fishes at one of the many green pockets in Kuala Lumpur!
Last updated: 15 June 2022
Whether you want to spend a laid-back afternoon with your family, enjoy a scenic view or simply want to breathe in the fresh air, here’s our pick of 5 parks to visit in Johor. Slather on some insect repellent and you’re good to go!
1. Hutan Bandar Recreational Park
Address: Jalan Tasek Utara, Kolam Ayer, 80100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Date: Daily
Time: 7 am – 7 pm
Huntan Bandar apparently means ‘forest within a city’ which is an apt name for this beautiful park, an ideal location for a casual evening with your little ones. You can bask in the serenity of nature, take a leisurely stroll admiring the lush greenery, flowers and idyllic lake, splash in the swimming pool, and run wild in the children’s playground. There is also a small food stall where you can replenish your energies.
2. Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
Address: Jalan Kota Tinggi, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia
Date: Daily
Time: 1 pm – 11 pm
Admission:
- Adult: RM 20
- Child (3 – 12yrs): RM 12
If you imagined a caged park where fireflies are kept captive when you heard ‘Firefly Park’, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.
At nightfall, you’ll be brought on a relaxing boat ride to the fireflies’ natural habitat where you’ll be treated to a magical sight of thousands of fireflies flittering about, lighting up the dark night. It’s bound to be a sight you won’t forget anytime soon.
3. Tanjung Piai Johor National Park
Address: Taman Negara Johor Tanjung Piai Mukim, 82030 Kukup, Johor, Malaysia
Date: Daily
Time: 9 am - 4.30 pm
If you love long nature walks, you’ll love Tanjung Piai Johor National Park. But first, you might want to take a commemorative image with the huge column that proudly informs you that you’re now at the southernmost tip of mainland Asia. How awe-striking is that?
After which, you can hit the long and winding boardwalk for a tranquil tour through the park of mangroves and mudflats, where you can play spot the creature with your little ones. Be sure to keep an eye out for monkeys but don’t feed them!
BYKidO Tip: We suggest scheduling a trip to the park in the early morning when the weather is cooler and much easier on you rather than in the afternoon when the scorching sun might wear you out half way through your walk in the park.
4. Merdeka Park
Address: Jln Datin Halimah, 80200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Date: Daily
Time: 7 am - 11 am | 4 pm - 7 pm
Merdeka Park, otherwise known as Taman Merdeka was established to commemorate Malaysia’s fight for independence. Its nine lawns each depict the different phases in the fight. Aside from being a record for a historical event, the park with its abundance of greenery and man-made lake, is ideal if you want to get some air with your little ones.
5. Pulau Kukup National Park
Adress: Kukup, 82300 Kukup, Johor, Malaysia
Date:Â Daily
Time:Â 9 am - 5 pm
This nature oasis has an interesting legend, which goes as follows: Once home to five celestial princesses, the land was later swallowed up by the sea due to a curse when one of the princesses eloped with a mortal and re-emerged after some time covered in mangroves. None have been able to inhabit the island to this day.
An uninhabited mangrove island, Pulau Kukup National Park offers a reprieve from the fast-paced city life. This vast park is home to an amazing array of flora and fauna. I’m not sure about celestial princesses but some of the inhabitants that you can find here are monkeys, river otters, fish, crabs, and birds.
Standing on the observation deck located at either end of the suspension bridge will gift you with a spectacular view of the park, the kind of view that you won’t have the heart to look away from.
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