2025 Johor Lama Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in June)

A truly hidden gem! It is well worth the 30 minutes drive from Desaru Beach Coast, driving through endless oil palm estates and rolling hills towards the Johor River. A no frill seafood restaurant where you can really enjoy fresh seafood at amazingly affordable price. The service is fast and they bring out all the dishes at the same time so you don't have to wait for the next dish to come. The food is just nicely seasoned so that you can really appreciate the taste of the seafood. And all the more amazingly, the shellfish dish has no taste of sands it it. After pigging out, you can head over to the jetty, which is about 200 meter away and enjoy the view of the Johor River Bridge. 📍Location; Teluk sengat, Johor Lama, Kota Tinggi, Johor. #awesomepic #tripblazers #deliciousfood #foodie

#### **First Impressions** Tucked away near **Kota Tinggi**, this open-air museum marks the site of the **ancient Johor Sultanate’s capital** (1540–1587). Walking among reconstructed fort walls and cannons, with the **Johor River** murmuring nearby, feels like stumbling upon a forgotten kingdom—one that once battled Portuguese invaders and pirate lords. #### **The Good ✅** ✔ **History Comes Alive** – Life-sized dioramas of **Malay warriors**, **Portuguese soldiers**, and **Bugis traders** tell a dramatic story (English/Malay captions). ✔ **Riverfront Ruins** – Climb the **watchtower** for views of the strategic river bend that made this spot a powerhouse. ✔ **Free Entry** – No fees, no crowds—just you and the ghosts of empires past. ✔ **Photogenic** – Weathered cannons, arched gateways, and jungle creeping over old bricks = moody Instagram gold. #### **The Not-So-Good ⚠️** ✖ **Remote Location** – **No Grab/taxis**; you’ll need a car (or a determined bike ride from Kota Tinggi). ✖ **Minimal Amenities** – Just one caretaker hut with basic toilets; bring water/snacks. ✖ **Wear & Tear** – Some exhibits need maintenance (broken mannequins, faded signs). #### **Solo Travel Tips** ⏰ **Best Time to Visit:** **Weekday mornings** (8–10AM)—cooler temps and golden light. 📚 **Prep for Context:** Read about the **Johor-Portuguese wars** beforehand to appreciate the stakes. 🚗 **Getting There:** - From Kota Tinggi: 30-min drive via J8 highway (look for brown heritage signs). - Park under the **giant “Kota Johor Lama” arch**; it’s a 2-min walk to the site. 📸 **Photo Ops:** - The **blackened cannon** aimed at the river. - **Roots swallowing ruins** near the back perimeter. #### **Nearby Detours** 1. **Kota Tinggi Waterfall** (20-min drive) – Wash off history lessons in jungle pools. 2. **Firefly Valley** (40-min drive) – Pair with a magical night boat ride. #### **Verdict** ⭐ **4/5** – A **hidden gem for history nerds**, but skip if you need polish. Perfect if you: - Love **offbeat, atmospheric** heritage sites. - Imagine **swashbuckling battles** while wandering ruins. - Prefer **solitude** over tourist crowds. **Solo Bonus:** The caretaker (if around) might share **unofficial legends**—like the rumor of hidden tunnels beneath the fort! --- **Final Thought:** Standing where sultans once plotted against colonizers, with only cicadas for company, I felt like Indiana Jones—if Indy packed mosquito spray. *P.S. Watch for **monitor lizards** sunbathing by the riverbank—they’re the real rulers now.* 🦎

#johorbahrutrip #### **First Impressions** Deep in Johor’s **Kota Tinggi** district, this 30-year-old farm houses **over 1,000 crocodiles**—some as long as pickup trucks! The moment you step in, the musky reptile smell hits, and the **bone-crunching sound** of feeding time sends shivers down your spine. As a solo traveller, I felt equal parts thrilled and *"why am I alone with these dinosaurs?"* #### **The Good ✅** ✔ **Jurassic Park Vibes** – Massive crocs lazing under the sun or **launching vertically** for chicken chunks during feeding shows (3PM daily). ✔ **Bragging Rights** – Hold a **baby croc** (RM10, includes a photo—worth it for the ‘Gram). ✔ **Offbeat & Cheap** – RM15 entry fee; zero crowds on weekdays. ✔ **Local Flavor** – Nearby **Teluk Sengat seafood stalls** serve fresh crab post-visit. #### **The Not-So-Good ⚠️** ✖ **Ethical Questions** – Enclosures are **bare concrete**; animal welfare standards feel outdated. ✖ **No English Signs** – Info is Malay-only; Google Translate helped. ✖ **Rustic AF** – Broken fences, minimal shade—wear a hat and watch your step. #### **Solo Travel Tips** 🎟️ **Timing:** Come at **2:30PM** to explore before the **3PM feeding frenzy** (main attraction). 📸 **Photo Hacks:** - Shoot through chain-link fences for gritty close-ups. - The **giant albino croc** near the entrance is a must-capture. 🚗 **Getting There:** Drive from JB (~1hr) or take a Kota Tinggi taxi (negotiate round-trip). #### **Nearby Detours** 1. **Firefly Valley** (30-min drive) – Swap reptilian terror for twinkling mangroves at dusk. 2. **Kota Tinggi Waterfall** – Wash off the croc-farm vibes in cool jungle pools. #### **Verdict** ⭐ **3.7/5** – A **raw, unfiltered** wildlife experience. Not for the faint-hearted, but perfect if you: - Love **dangerous animals** (from a safe distance). - Seek **weird & wonderful** roadside attractions. - Don’t mind *questionable* animal tourism. **Solo Bonus:** Staff let me stay extra long at feeding time—no kids blocking the view! --- **Final Thought:** This place feels frozen in the 1990s, for better or worse. I left equal parts awed and guilty, but hey—when else can you say you **stared down a 5-meter crocodile… alone?** *P.S. Don’t wear flip-flops. Just trust me.*

#myhiddengems Great place for families with kids. Experience was unforgettable. Come only on Sat or Sun to try the Crocodile Soup. Crocodile Satay was nice to try, tastes better than chicken! Thanks Cecilia for keeping the prices affordable! Admission is not expensive. There are crocodiles that are hundreds of years old. From newborns to the age of 150 years and over. There are also deformed crocodiles such as short tails due to deformities and split jaws below and more.

I was amazed to know that crocodiles can live up to a century old and even longer, and where do we find such long living crocodiles? You just have to find them at Teluk Sengat crocodile world in Malaysia. This crocodile farm itself is not very big and you may even complete the whole farm within 30 minutes. However, this place itself is educational as it provides insights and many facts about the crocodiles there. In the farm, you are able to see crocodiles of different age groups and size and yes they definitely have lots of over a 100 years old crocodiles. You will be fascinated by these wonderful reptiles and if you want, there are chicken baits available to feed the crocodiles as well. I only wish that this farm is more well maintained as it's pretty ran down. Still, it's an interesting place to visit. #tripblazers

Tangjung belungkor

Bring my family to visit Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm. #mytripvlog #awesomepic

Getting There - Attractions - Nice Beach Hotels - Anantara Beach Resort Food & Restaurants - Nelayan By The Beach Desaru Shopping -

I drove for an hour just to take some photos and enjoy the sea breeze.

near crocodile farm teluk sengat..