Forest City
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Forest City

4
·900 reviews·Pulau Satu, Malaysia

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 content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekends

Livelier atmosphere

CrowdMedium
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Forest City

Forest City

Best Time

Weekends

Livelier atmosphere

CrowdMedium

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.

4
(900 reviews)

"It's a nice place, but not enough nearby facilities for now."

Vertical photo
TIP

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.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4 · 900 reviews

Type

Park

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Futuristic Architecture

Futuristic Architecture

Admire the modern, ambitious design and vast, open spaces of this unique man-made city.

InstagramReddit
Duty-Free Shopping

Duty-Free Shopping

Explore the duty-free zone for potentially great deals on various products.

Reddit
Golf Resorts

Golf Resorts

Tee off at one of the two golf courses, offering a recreational escape.

InstagramReddit
Water Park & Playgrounds

Water Park & Playgrounds

Enjoy family-friendly fun at the water park and playgrounds.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

The Ghost City Reality

Forest City is often dubbed a 'ghost city' due to its low occupancy, despite massive investment. While some areas are developing, expect vast, unfinished spaces. It's an ambitious project, but manage expectations about its current vibrancy. TikTok+2

Connectivity & Access

Getting to Forest City, especially from Singapore, involves a significant drive. Be aware of potential road issues, as one TikTok user reported a collapsed bridge. TikTok The area is also a Special Economic Zone and Duty-Free Zone, offering unique shopping opportunities. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekends
Why
Livelier atmosphere
Crowd
Medium
When
During Events
Why
Experience the buzz
Crowd
High
When
Weekday Mornings
Why
Peaceful exploration
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Hanya yang tinggal dan pernah datang ke Forest City Johor ini saja akan tahu suasana sebenar di sini . siapa yang pernah datang ke sini cuba komen #blacksabahan69
@black_sabahan69
248.6K likes • 5.7M views

Manage Expectations

It's a vast, ambitious project, but much is still unfinished. Don't expect a bustling metropolis. TikTok+1

Check Connectivity

Be aware of potential road issues; a bridge collapse was reported. TikTok

La ciudad fantasma! Forest City se vuelve tendencia! Invirtieron 100 mil millones de dolares (US$100.000 millones) y no vive nadie! La empresa china que lo construyó en Malasia esta en quiebra! #forestcity #ciudadfantasma #noticias
@candresperedo
194.4K likes • 2.5M views
Forest City 📍 Johor Video credit: @qimanna2 on TikTok #malaysiafoodtravel #mft #forestcityjohor #johortravelideas #johoractivities #iskandarputeri #travelideasMY
malaysiafoodandtravel
1.2K likes • 79.8K views

Duty-Free Deals

Shop at the duty-free zone for good prices, but consume within Forest City. Reddit

Bring Your Own Food

Restaurant options are limited; consider bringing snacks or food. Reddit

Forest City is on a new rise. 📍Johor Bahru, Malaysia Forest City is taking a bold step into the future with a major investment of US$1 billion from GG56 Korea, marking the development of Malaysia’s first K-Culture Town. This collaboration will bring a fusion of Korean culture and cutting-edge technology to Johor, enhancing Forest City’s role as a hub of innovation and global culture. Drone Pil...
luciddrones.my
141 likes • 10.8K views

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. TikTok+1

Check Connectivity

Be aware of potential road issues; a bridge collapse was reported. TikTok

Duty-Free Deals

Shop at the duty-free zone for good prices, but consume within Forest City. Reddit

Bring Your Own Food

Restaurant options are limited; consider bringing snacks or food. Reddit

Explore on Foot

The best way to see the modern architecture and open spaces is by walking. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4
(900 reviews)

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. Reddit

"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

Huge & ambitious scale
Clean, modern spaces
Duty-free shopping

What People Dislike

Underutilized areas
Limited dining options
Unfinished development

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. TikTok The journey is part of the adventure into this unique development. Instagram

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. TikTok

Road conditions can vary. While generally accessible, be aware of potential issues; one visitor reported a collapsed bridge on the route. TikTok 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. Reddit

The drive from Johor Bahru city center to Forest City can take approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Instagram

🎫 🎫 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. Reddit

While the development is vast, many commercial areas and attractions operate on standard business hours. Specific opening times for hotels and shops may vary. Reddit

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. Reddit

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. TikTok

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. Instagram

🎫 🏙️ 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. TikTokInstagram+1

Visitors can explore the modern architecture, enjoy duty-free shopping, play golf, visit the water park, and admire the ambitious urban planning. InstagramReddit

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. TikTok

Exploring on foot is recommended to appreciate the scale and modern design. You can also drive or cycle around the developed areas. Reddit

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. TikTokReddit

🍽️ 🍽️ 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. Reddit

There are a few eateries and convenience stores like KKmart available. For a wider selection, you might need to travel outside Forest City. Reddit

Yes, bringing your own food is a good option, especially for picnics in the ample open spaces available. Reddit

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. Reddit

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. Reddit

📸 📸 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. Instagram+1

Drone photography can capture the unique scale and layout of Forest City, showcasing its ambitious design. However, always check local regulations regarding drone usage. Instagram

Architectural photography, urban exploration, and even moody, atmospheric shots work well here, capturing the 'ghost city' vibe or the potential of the future. TikTokInstagram

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. TikTok+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. TikTok

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