Things to do in Kulai, Johor
We’re halfway through the year, which is exactly around the time that most of us start to feel the burnout from work and school set in. TLDR; we’re craving a relaxing weekend getaway, but places like Bali and Phuket are a little too far for a short trip, and we’ve already explored JB to death.
If you’re facing the same dilemma as us, here’s an alternative getaway idea for you. Instead of visiting JB for the thousandth time, try out this 2D1N Kulai itinerary instead. This lesser-known town is just 45 minutes away from JB, and it’s got a bunch of relaxing activities to help you unwind.
– Day 1 –
6.45am – Leave Singapore
6.45am may seem a little too early to set off for Johor, but it’s necessary if you plan on getting to Kulai by train, and want to max out your time there.
For context, taking the KTM train to Kulai from JB is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get there, as it costs just RM11 (~S$3.35)/pax, and has a travelling time of under an hour.
Screenshot from: KITS
There’s one caveat though – only 4 trains service Kulai daily, and they run at 8.30am, 2.40pm, 6.05pm, and 8.25pm. As such, you’ll have to catch the earliest one if you’re planning to spend a full day in Kulai.
To play it safe, we decided to depart Singapore at 6.45am in order to reach the JB checkpoint by 7.30am. We got to JB by public bus, which cost us just S$1.85, but if you’re looking for a quicker way to cross the border, there’s always the option of taking the 5-minute KTM train ride from Woodlands Checkpoint to JB Sentral for RM16.65 (~S$5.07).
8.15am – Board the KTM train to Kulai
Once you’ve arrived at JB Sentral, you’ll find 2 gates for the KTM train – Gate A, for trains returning to Singapore, and Gate B, for ETS and intercity trains.
Boarding begins roughly 15 minutes before the train departs, so if you’re early like we were, feel free to plonk your bags down at the seating area by the gates.
The interior of the KTM train to Kulai.
P.S. – We recommend booking train tickets in advance via the KITS ticketing website, but if you need to make any last minute purchases, you can still try for seats via the ticketing counters and self-service kiosks near the boarding gates.
10am – Drop off luggage at Durian Guesthouse
Our KTM train arrived in Kulai at around 9.15am, and we’re happy to report that the 50-minute ride was smooth and quiet enough for us to clock in some shut-eye time, so much so that we were ready to properly kickstart our day by the time we reached.
Nonetheless, our first order of business was to rid ourselves of our luggage. We headed to our Airbnb – Durian Guesthouse – to put our bags down. The kampung-style accom usually accommodates check-ins from 3pm onwards, but the owners were kind enough to let us drop off our barang barang first, so that we could begin our day untethered.
BTW, we 100% recommend this Airbnb to you if you’re a nature lover, or someone looking for a zen escape from city life. The cosy homestay serves major kampung vibes, with rustic old-school furniture indoors, and a mini farm outdoors with homegrown crops like fruits and vegetables.
We opted to stay in a Triple Room for 3 (from S$104/night), which consisted of a queen-sized bed for 2, and a single bunk bed. Depending on your travel group size, you can choose between 2 other room options as well – a Double Room for 2 from S$74/night, or a Family Room for 6 from S$143/night.
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11.30am – Brunch at Cafe Jufei
The first stop on our itinerary, Cafe Jufei, ended up being one of our favourite takeaways from the entire trip. The homey retro-themed cafe is located right in Kulai’s town centre; just 2 minutes away from the KTM station, and a quick 10-minute stroll from our guesthouse.
Don’t mind us saying this, but this cafe’s a real “hidden gem”. Located a flight of stairs up from a rather obscure entrance, Cafe Jufei has all the feels of an 80s Taiwanese film, furnished with vintage decor like cassette tapes and old film cameras.
It’s also the perfect spot to get your caffeine fix for the day, as the cafe is particularly known for its good coffee. The owner brews quality cuppas with seasonal blends of coffee beans, and at the time we went, we got to try his Single Origin White coffee (RM16, ~S$4.86) made with Ethiopian beans.
Don’t forget to fuel up on the homemade pastries and bites sold here too. We enjoyed the Original Waffle (RM8, ~S$2.43), 6” Pizza (RM15, ~S$4.56), and Cheesecake (RM12, ~S$3.65).
FYI, the cafe has board games and toys to keep both kids and adults entertained, so you can set aside more time to spend here if you enjoy chill cafe dates.
2pm – Putuo Village
After stuffing our tummies at Cafe Jufei, we set out to visit Putuo Village, a Buddhist sanctuary with a temple, bamboo forest, and cafe.
You’ll want to set aside a couple of hours to spend in the village. The zen vibes here are peak, and we found ourselves wanting to take our time to tour the entire place.
We first visited Bodhi Sanctuary, which has some of the most intricate architecture here. Outside the temple, we were super impressed by this 12m-long dragon statue that we’re told is made entirely of bamboo.
Then, for stunning photo-ops, we headed over to the bamboo forest, which has a bunch of aesthetic installations like giant inflatable hands symbolising romance and wealth, and golden angel wings to strike a pose in front of.
Do also stop by Fat Bamboo Cafe before you leave. This quiet bamboo-themed cafe is the perfect place to “blow some aircon” after being out in the sun, and it’s got refreshing drinks like Honey Chrysanthemum Bamboo Tea (RM9.90, ~S$3.01) and Lychee Green Tea RM10.90 (~S$3.32) to help quench your thirst.
5.30pm – Dinner
There’s nothing quite like a comforting dinner after a long day of travelling, and by 5pm, we were ready to recharge over a hearty meal. Whether you’re craving local food or feel like indulging in yummy western grub, there’s no shortage of tasty food options around Kulai.
Image credit: Vui Bin Pang via Google Maps
For homey local dishes, check out The Grand by Adam’s Kitchen, which serves affordable zi char-style dishes like sweet and sour fish and fish head curry.
Image credit: Woodfire Kulai via Facebook
Or, for something a lil’ more sinful, visit Woodfire Kulai for juicy gourmet burgers. Here, you’ll be able to sink your teeth into ultra-indulgent double patty burgers loaded with all sorts of toppings.
– Day 2 –
9am – Breakfast
One of our favourite things about Durian Guesthouse is the fact that the owners whip up a lovely breakfast for guests every morning. While nothing too over-the-top, our home-cooked meal made us nostalgic for our grandma’s cooking.
On the morning of our stay, we were served tasty beehoon with sambal on the side, plus green bean soup and papaya for dessert.
10.30am – Hua Guo Shan Temple
Our first stop of the day was Hua Guo Shan Temple, a Buddhist temple dedicated to the Monkey King, Sun Wukong. It very fittingly houses a bunch of free-roaming monkeys, plus other reared animals like fish and tortoises.
The decades-old temple is also famous for its unique architecture, which includes an intricately carved hill with statues of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals. The 15-minute climb up is relatively easy, and if you trek all the way to the top, you’ll see a statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva sitting at its peak.
If you want some extra luck, there are also shower stalls near the tortoise pond downstairs, where visitors can wash themselves with blessed water.
This mini stand sells herbal pudding outside the temple.
Those who need a little pick-me-up to brave the heat can also stop for sweet treats before leaving. On our way out, we spotted a food court and dessert stand by the temple’s entrance, where you’ll be able to purchase snacks like pudding and ice cream.
11.30am – Rider’s Resort
This next stop on our itinerary is a must-visit for horse lovers. Just a 6-minute car ride from Hua Guo Shan Temple, Riders Resort is a gorgeous colonial mansion with activities like horse riding and feeding.
We paid RM5 (~S$1.53) for a packet of carrots to go horse feeding, and by the time we left, we were proud to say that we’d managed to get acquainted with each steed on a first-name basis.
Image credit: Riders Resort
Those feeling more adventurous can also sign up for horse riding lessons from just S$48/pax. Don’t worry about needing any prior experience for this – anyone can attend classes, but be sure to book your slot at least 3 days in advance.
Before you leave, check out the resort’s cafe for lunch. The cosy eatery serves a mix of local and international dishes, so you’ll get to take your pick between western mains like Grilled Steak (RM68, ~S$20.78), or local faves like Beef Rendang (RM26, ~S$7.95).
2pm – Kelapa Sawit Wall Art
Insta baddies, this artsy alley will definitely be up yours. Kelapa Sawit Wall Art is lined with seriously cool murals that’ll make for the perfect backdrop for your “Kulai Dump” post on IG.
Here, we posed next to some of our favourite animated characters like Totoro, Sailor Moon, and Pikachu, and spotted a tonne of cool 3D works by talented local artists.
P.S. – There are 2 lanes to walk down, so be sure to cover both before you head off. The street is also littered with aesthetic cafes all around, so you’ll be able to cool off with a drink mid-walk.
3.30pm – IOI Mall
For our final stop in Kulai, we decided to visit the newly revamped IOI Mall. While it isn’t the biggest and fanciest mall out there, you’ll still be able to snag a bunch of good shopping deals here.
For groceries, there’s Target Supermarket – not to be confused with American Target – that stocks all the affordable supermarket items you’ll want to bring back to SG.
We also stopped by 2 of our favourite Malaysian value stores, Ninso and MR.DIY, and had a hella good time bargain hunting for their cheapest deals on cutesy knick knacks and household items.
If you’ve got kiddos, we recommend catching a movie at GSC. This cool theatre has a special Play+ hall with a playground, ball pit, and comfy sofas for little ones to enjoy as you guys bond over a family-friendly flick.
And, if you’re feeling peckish before making your way back to the checkpoint, grab some snacks for the road at IOI mall’s A&W and Starbucks drive-thrus.
5.30pm – Head back to Singapore
After 2 jam-packed days, we were ready to rest our sore limbs and make our way back to Singapore. A taxi ride from IOI Mall to JB Sentral will cost you around RM36 (~S$10.88), which, in our opinion, is a worthy expenditure after 2 long days of travelling.
But if you want to save some money, you can opt to take the 11RM (~S$3.35) KTM train from Kulai’s KTM station back to JB Sentral. As with the journey here, there are 4 train timings to catch, at 5.42am, 11.38am, 1.30pm, and 7.02pm. If you’re heading back in the evening like us, make sure to plan to catch the 7pm train.
Once you arrive at JB Sentral, getting back to SG is easy-peasy. We decided to take the RM2 (~S$0.61) Causeway Link bus back to Woodlands Checkpoint, and were back in our beds nua-ing by 9pm.
How to get around Kulai
Full disclosure – Kulai is a tad harder to get around than JB, especially if you’re planning to travel further out to places like Putuo Village. For the smoothest travel experience, we recommend getting a private hire prior to your trip. You can book drivers via private hire Facebook or WhatsApp groups, or via car booking websites.
We opted to hire a driver for the 2nd day of our Kulai trip, and our full day’s worth of itinerary set us back a reasonable RM350 (~S$106).
Alternatively, you can stick to using ride hailing apps like Grab and Ryde to get around. In our experience, the waiting time for each booking is generally longer than in JB, but you should still have no issues getting from one destination to another.
Explore Kulai on your next Johor trip
If you’re tired of always ending up in JB for your weekend getaways, try venturing out to Kulai on your next trip across the border. It’s got an entirely different vibe from the perpetually crowded city of JB, whilst still being near enough to SG to justify a quick trip.
For a more in-depth guide of things to do in Kulai, read:
Photography by Cassia Leong.