Johor Bahru Things to Do Tips by chiabh

Johor Art Gallery Art Gallery Review

The Johor Art Gallery houses various art collections, artefacts and many items closely related to Johor's Malay heritage since its establishment in 1993... In 1999 the gallery was established as the Arts and Cultural Centre for the State of Johor...

The gallery is housed in a 2-storey building with strong colonial influences in its design and architectural details... True to Malay customs, shoes are prohibited in the main display area downstairs... The main display area displays beautiful works of art by various talented Johor-born artistsand paintings to sculptures and many other mediums of artworks are displayed here... Favourite topics of interest includes the kuda kepang, the ghazal, beautiful calligraphy pieces... Fishing scenes are also prevalent and tranquil pictures of small fishing boats tied to poles along coastal areas, fisher-folks coming home from the sea with their daily bounties, and many other eye pleasing, soul soothing works of art...

The upper level showcases many beautiful art pieces, such as two ancient wooden doors with ornate carvings hung on the walls as you are walking up to the second floor... Walking along the upper floor, you can also take a glimpse of the lower floor from the middle section, as there is an open space area from upstairs where a beautiful low hanging chandelier casting a soft yellow hues throughout the entire room...

Address: 144, Jalan Petrie, JB

Directions: From the Dataran Bandaraya, take Jalan Linkaran Dalam towards Jalan Tebrau... Follow signage and turn left after the JB Hyatt Hotel...

Phone: +607-226-3266

Royal Sultan Abu Bakar Museum Royal Abu Bakar Museum Review

The museum occupies the Istana Besar (or Grand Palace) which was specially commissioned in 1864 by the late Sultan Abu Bakar (commonly known as the Father of Modern Johor)... It was completed in 1866...

In the early 1990s, Johor's present ruler, Sultan Iskandar, decided that members of the public should be given the opportunity to view the Johor Royal Family's collection in a proper museum setting... The Sultan consented for the Istana Besar to be converted into a museum and it was officially declared open on May 11, 1990...

The museum housed vast arrays of treasures, works of art, antiquities and furniture belonging to the Johor Royal Family... The picture gallery features past and present rulers of the Sultanate and their consorts... There is also a large collection of their personal memorabilia, an impressive array of Orders, Decorations and Medals in the gallery...

Other rooms within the museum display silverware, crystalware, gold and silver jewelry, priceless vases, furniture, traditional Malay weapons, the State Regalia, a numismatic collection, silver trophies and other family treasures within their natural setting...

The museum is open from Saturday through Thursday, from 9.00am to 5.00pm... It is closed on Fridays... An entrance fee is collected to maintain the museum...

Address: Jalan Tun Dr Ismail, JB

Directions: The museum is located along the coastal road to the north on a hill oevrlooking the Straits of Johor...

Phone: +607-223-05855

Istana Bukit Serene Istana Bukit Serene Review

Istana Bukit Serene on the edge of town is the residence of the Sultan of Johor... The Istana or palace was completed in 1933 and its 32-metre tower is a city landmark... The Sultan's private residence is not open to the public but visitors can view the tower and the beautiful garden from the main road... The unique carvings on the walls on this historical building features Art Deco influences...

The palace has a huge sprawling garden which is a common site for many royal gatherings and celebrations... The palace grounds are guarded by His Majesty's personal military, the Johor Military Forces...

Address: Bukit Serene, JB

Directions: The Istana is locate on a hill overlooking Danga Bay and the Straits of Tebrau...

Phone: +607-223-4935

Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque Review

The Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is regarded as one of the most beautiful mosques in Malaysia, with its amazing combination of Western neo-classical and Islamic architecture... The mosque can accommodate about 2,000 worshippers at any one time... The mosque is strategically located on top of a hill on Jalan Abu Bakar, overlooking the Straits of Tebrau...

Sultan Abu Bakar mosque was named after the late Sultan Abu Bakar, the "Father of Modern Johor", who laid the foundation stone in 1892... Construction of the mosque was completed in 1900, a few years after his death... Today, the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is listed as a protected heritage monument by the Department of Museums and Antiquities...

Address: Jalan Masjid, JB

Directions: Entrance to the mosque is thru Jalan Masjid or Jalan Gertak Merah (oppoisite Zoo Johor)... The mosque overlooks teh Straits of Tebrau...

Istana Besar Istana Besar Review

The Istana Besar is the Grand Palace of the Johor Sultanate... The Istana was built in 1866 by the late Sultan Abu Bakar... Its most distinctive feature is its Anglo-Malay architecture, characterised by its dome of Malay design contrasted with its blue roof of Anglo influence... There is also a Japanese garden and a teahouse in its compound... The istana garden is large and is open to the public from 7.00am to 7.00pm daily...

Within the Istana is The Royal Abu Bakar Museum... It is a living museum which houses a good collection of royal heirloom, impressive rare artefacts and a good record of the history of the States's Royal Family...

The Istana is now only used for investiture, state banquets and royal functions...

Address: Jalan Tun Dr Ismail, JB

Directions: The istana is located on a hill lock along the coastal road to the north and faces the Straits the Johor...

Dataran Bandaraya Dataran Bandaraya Review

Dataran Bandaraya has been the spot for many important events in JB since 1994... The landmark clock tower was built to commemorate the proclaimation of JB as a city in January 1994... Since its offical opening, many state events and cultural performance have taken place here... The clock tower looks over a series of beautiful fountains and a wide open green lawn, which makes fir a great venue for outdoor performances and events... There are ample car parking facilities around the dataran...

During our visit, there was a 7-a-side rugby competition for schools in Johor state...

Address: Jalan Sultan Abu Bakar, JB

Directions: The clock tower can be seen on the coastal road north from the Causeway... It is located between the JB General Hospital and Masjid Sultan Abu Bakar...

Zoo Johor Zoo Review

Zoo Johor was established in 1928 as an "animal garden" by the late Sultan Ibrahim... It is the private zoo of the Johor Sultan and was believed to be the first zoo in Asia at that time... The name of the zoo was later changed to Zoo Johor and is now administered by the Johor State Government...

Zoo Johor is a small zoo with its restricted space available... However, it is well managed where one can view flamingos, elephants, horses, an aviary, lions and crocodiles... A stroll around the lake at the zoo is both refreshing and pleasant... Some of the animals can be seen from the road thru the zoo's perimeter fencing...

The zoo is open daily to the public from 8.00am to 6.00pm... Entrance fee is an affordable RM2 for adults and RM1 for children...

Address: Jalan Gertak Merah, JB

Directions: The entrance to the zoo is just next to the Jalan Gertak Merah entrance of the nearby Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque (or Masjid Sultan Abu Bakar)...

Phone: +607-223-0404

Street of Harmony

The Street of Harmony is JB's hidden treasure of a harmonious and delicated balance region that is manifested by the juxtaposition of places of worship (mosques, temples and churches) and the proximity of its old charms and modern attraction...

The street of harmony covers several streets in the city centre around Jalan Trus and Jalan Wong Ah Fook... The starting point is the Sultan Ibrahim Building... There are interesting features or trades like the old bakery, barber, antiques, charcoal making and Chinese paper figuring... Pewters, fresh flowers, pubs, bookstores, second-hand magazines and books and a host of other products are found along this harmonious path... Local coffee, tea and food are also available in the many coffee shops and modern restaurants lining the street...

Directions: The region lies between Jalan Wong Ah Fook and Jalan Trus...

Sultan Ibrahim Building Sultan Ibrahim Building Review

The Sultan Ibrahim Building was constructed in the 1940s with a blend of esatern and western architecture... It was the aspiration of HRH Sultan Ibrahim to have a central secretariat office that inspire the construction of the building...

During World War 2, the building was used by the Japanese as a storehouse for goods as well as a fortress... General Yamashita was reputed to have used the building as the command centre when the Japanese made its final assault on Singapore... Numerous bullets holes can be seen on the exterior walls near the entrance of Gate C and are stark reminders of the war...

Today, the building is the main office building of the state and houses the State Secretariat...

Address: Jalan Terus, JB

Directions: This majestic building is located at the fringe of the city centre... It is just behind The Hongkong Bank building and the JB General Post Office...