Johor Bahru. Malaysia

After years of having the reputation as a dirty, chaotic border town, Johor Bahru has been repaved and replanted and is reinventing itself. Most visitors skip southern Malaysia's largest metropolis, but for the adventurous types who stop for an afternoon or overnight, there are worthy museums, temples and mosques, shopping and party zones, and a historic district with poetic street scenes, hip galleries and relaxing cafes.