Johor Bahru Tourist Trap Tips by raabenb

I took a day tour of Johor Bahru. It was a 5 hour tour which left from Singapore. The bus took us to the border where we had to get off and meet on the bus on the Malaysian side. Our first stop was at a batik "factory". What it really was was a "get the tourist's money" handicraft store. At this factory we saw our first Malaysian culture show which was traditional music.

Our next stop was at the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque. This is a beautiful mosque which resembles European architecture. It is a magnificent site.

Following the mosque we stopped at a "traditional" Malaysian house. The family just happend to put on culture shows so we saw our second one, this time it was dancing. Another "coincidence" was that there was a pewter factory behind the house. So they showe us the different things we could buy.

I hate tour for these kinds of reasons. It got us from Singapore to Johor Bahru, showed us one site that I wanted to see, but for the most part tried to get our money. I should warn you that these tours are tourist traps but if you want, take one anyway. It can be easier if you have a family.

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Alternative: If you do not like these kinds of touristy things, take a cab and go by yourself. Like I should have done.

Batik is a traditional South-East asian way of designing fabric, usually silk. What they do is put hot colored wax on the fabric and let it air dry so it stains the fabrics in whatever design they intend.

Unfortunately, Batik has become a way for the locals to rip off tourist. Many Johor Bahru day tours will take you to a batik factory but the batik is massed produced and the prices are raised for these tourists.

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Alternative: If you are in Johor Bahru and you want to buy Batik, look for the stores that are not on the tourist trail. You can probably find some downtown which are actually made by families in their houses are small shops, not in the large tourist traps.

Pewter is a metal aloy used to make things. What they do is heat up tin with some lead or copper and pour it into molds or cool it into shapes.

Unfortunately, Pewter has become a way for the locals to rip off tourist. Many Johor Bahru day tours will take you to a pewter factory but the pewter is massed produced and the prices are raised for these tourists. They will try to make you think all the things are produced in house by giving a demonstration. Do not believe it, I have no proof they are fooling everyone but I think they are.

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Alternative: If you are in Johor Bahru and you want to buy pewter, look for the stores that are not on the tourist trail. You can probably find some downtown which are actually made by families in their houses are small shops, not in the large tourist traps.

At our stop at a batik factory, we were able to see a "culture show". This show showed us traditional Malaysian music. The people were dressed in traditional clothes and played a couple different songs. I knew from the begining that this was just a tourist trap. When they were finished, they asked everybodyfor tips and then led the crowd in the store which sold batik with raised prices. The whole thing was an act to get the tourists money.

The music was good, I just wish I could have experienced it under different circumstances.

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At our stop at a pewter factory, we were able to see a "culture show". This show showed us traditional Malaysian dancing. The people were dressed in traditional clothes and performed a couple dfferent dances. I knew from the begining that this was just a tourist trap. When they were finished, they asked everybodyfor tips and then led the crowd in the store which sold pewter with raised prices. The whole thing was an act to get the tourists money.

The dancing was good, I just wish I could have experienced it under different circumstances.

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