Forest City
A colossal, ambitious man-made city in Malaysia, often called a 'ghost city' due to its low occupancy, offering a glimpse into futuristic urban planni...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Livelier atmosphere
Forest City
Best Time
Livelier atmosphere
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A colossal, ambitious man-made city in Malaysia, often called a 'ghost city' due to its low occupancy, offering a glimpse into futuristic urban planning.
"It's a nice place, but not enough nearby facilities for now."
Manage Expectations
It's a vast, ambitious project, but much is still unfinished. Don't expect a bustling metropolis.
Check Connectivity
Be aware of potential road issues; a bridge collapse was reported.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Futuristic Architecture
Admire the modern, ambitious design and vast, open spaces of this unique man-made city.
Duty-Free Shopping
Explore the duty-free zone for potentially great deals on various products.
Golf Resorts
Tee off at one of the two golf courses, offering a recreational escape.
Water Park & Playgrounds
Enjoy family-friendly fun at the water park and playgrounds.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
The Ghost City Reality
Connectivity & Access
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Manage Expectations
It's a vast, ambitious project, but much is still unfinished. Don't expect a bustling metropolis. +1
Check Connectivity
Be aware of potential road issues; a bridge collapse was reported.
Duty-Free Deals
Shop at the duty-free zone for good prices, but consume within Forest City.
Bring Your Own Food
Restaurant options are limited; consider bringing snacks or food.
Tips
from all over the internet
Manage Expectations
It's a vast, ambitious project, but much is still unfinished. Don't expect a bustling metropolis. +1
Check Connectivity
Be aware of potential road issues; a bridge collapse was reported.
Duty-Free Deals
Shop at the duty-free zone for good prices, but consume within Forest City.
Bring Your Own Food
Restaurant options are limited; consider bringing snacks or food.
Explore on Foot
The best way to see the modern architecture and open spaces is by walking.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find Forest City to be an unexpectedly vast and ambitious development with clean, modern spaces and good connectivity from Singapore. While some areas are lively, especially during events, many parts feel underutilized and lack sufficient dining options. It's a unique place to witness a grand vision, though it hasn't fully reached its potential yet.
"Awesome. Unexpected. Huge & ambitious. Clean, modern & wide open spaces. Well maintained. Lots of visitors. Occupancy looks ok. More development expected. A couple of nice hotels, lots of small quaint eateries. We had good weather & could explore walking. Fresh air & enjoyable"
Artisans Haven
"I recently visited Forest City in Johor, Malaysia, and it was a unique experience. The city is beautifully designed with futuristic architecture, lush greenery, and impressive infrastructure. The concept of a smart, eco-friendly city is clearly visible in its planning.
However, despite its visual appeal, the city felt quite empty and underutilized. Many shops and facilities were closed or not fully operational, which made parts of the visit feel somewhat deserted. It seems like the development hasn’t fully reached its potential yet.
Still, it’s a peaceful place to walk around, take photos, and admire the vision behind the project. If you’re nearby, it’s worth a short visit to see what this ambitious development is all about."
Md. Nime Iqbal Bonny
"Best Township ever built.
Great connectivity from Singapore
Has great towers and 2 great luxury hotels (FC Golf Hotel and Marina Hotel)
2 Golf Course and multiple family office .
Falls under the Special Economy Zone (also declared as Duty Free Zone) and many other incentives"
Vikram Phatarpekar
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Forest City is accessible by car from Singapore, involving a drive across the causeway. Be mindful of potential traffic and road conditions, as one user reported a collapsed bridge on the way. The journey is part of the adventure into this unique development.
Public transport options to Forest City are limited, making it more convenient to travel by private car or taxi. The drive from Johor Bahru city center is also significant.
Road conditions can vary. While generally accessible, be aware of potential issues; one visitor reported a collapsed bridge on the route. It's advisable to check real-time traffic updates before your journey.
Yes, Forest City falls under the Special Economy Zone and is also declared a Duty Free Zone, offering unique incentives and shopping opportunities.
The drive from Johor Bahru city center to Forest City can take approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Generally, there is no specific entrance fee to explore the public areas of Forest City. However, attractions like the water park have separate admission fees, around RM 20.
While the development is vast, many commercial areas and attractions operate on standard business hours. Specific opening times for hotels and shops may vary.
For general exploration, no advance booking is required. If you plan to stay at one of the hotels or visit specific attractions like the water park, booking in advance is recommended.
There are no major restrictions for general visitors. However, due to its nature as a developing residential and commercial area, some zones might be restricted to residents or specific permit holders.
Yes, Forest City is suitable for a day trip, especially if you're interested in exploring its modern architecture, duty-free shopping, or recreational facilities like the golf course.
🎫 🏙️ Onsite Experience
Despite being a massive development, Forest City has a very low occupancy rate, with only about 1-5% of the area built and inhabited. This contributes to its 'ghost town' reputation.
Visitors can explore the modern architecture, enjoy duty-free shopping, play golf, visit the water park, and admire the ambitious urban planning.
Forest City is generally considered safe for visitors. However, due to its low occupancy in many areas, it's advisable to stick to well-lit and populated zones, especially after dark.
Exploring on foot is recommended to appreciate the scale and modern design. You can also drive or cycle around the developed areas.
While parts of the city can feel empty, it attracts a good number of visitors, especially during weekends or events like marathons, making it feel lively at times.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Restaurant options are currently limited, with many shops and facilities not fully operational. It's advisable to bring your own food or snacks.
There are a few eateries and convenience stores like KKmart available. For a wider selection, you might need to travel outside Forest City.
Yes, bringing your own food is a good option, especially for picnics in the ample open spaces available.
Information on specific halal food options is scarce due to limited dining facilities. It's best to inquire locally or rely on convenience stores for packaged food.
The luxury hotels, such as the Forest City Golf Hotel and Marina Hotel, offer dining facilities, which are likely to be more comprehensive than other eateries in the development.
📸 📸 Photography
The futuristic architecture, wide boulevards, and waterfront areas offer great photographic opportunities. The contrast between modern structures and the vast, open spaces is striking.
Drone photography can capture the unique scale and layout of Forest City, showcasing its ambitious design. However, always check local regulations regarding drone usage.
Architectural photography, urban exploration, and even moody, atmospheric shots work well here, capturing the 'ghost city' vibe or the potential of the future.
Yes, the unfinished and vast undeveloped areas are part of the Forest City narrative and offer unique photographic perspectives, highlighting the project's scale and challenges. +1
Golden hour (sunrise and sunset) can provide beautiful lighting for the modern architecture. Midday offers clear views of the expansive spaces, while evenings can create an eerie, atmospheric feel.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
📸 Photographers & Urban Explorers
+1 Capture the scale of the unfinished projects and the sleek, empty boulevards. 💰 Budget Travelers
✈️ Day-Trippers from Singapore
Focus on exploring the duty-free shopping, admiring the architecture, or perhaps enjoying a round of golf. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The 'Ghost City' Phenomenon
This stark contrast between vision and reality is what draws many curious visitors. Despite the 'ghost town' label, some visitors report seeing a decent number of people, especially during weekends or organized events like marathons, suggesting pockets of activity.
+1For visitors, understanding this context is key. It's an exploration of a monumental, yet incomplete, urban experiment. The experience is less about bustling city life and more about witnessing a unique architectural and economic story unfold.
Connectivity and Transportation
While the development is designed with connectivity in mind, the reality on the ground means that private vehicles or taxis are the most practical modes of transport for visitors. One notable incident reported by a visitor involved a collapsed bridge on the route to Forest City, highlighting the importance of checking current road conditions before traveling.
Within Forest City itself, the vastness of the development means that exploring on foot is a good way to appreciate the architecture, but for covering longer distances, a car or other personal transport might be necessary. The area is also designated as a Special Economic Zone and Duty-Free Zone, which influences its accessibility and commercial offerings.
Economic and Development Landscape
+1These challenges led to a slowdown in development and contributed to its 'ghost city' perception.
This suggests a potential shift from a purely residential focus to a more diversified hub incorporating tourism and entertainment. The future of Forest City remains a subject of speculation, with some seeing it as a cautionary tale of overambitious development, while others view it as a project with untapped potential, especially with new strategic investments.
+1 Visitors often come to witness this unique economic experiment firsthand. 
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