Johor Bahru Things to Do

Istana means the palace. The palace is green in colour perched on a hill-top, surrounded by greenery. There are bungalows around the palace and are for rich people. I have not been to the palace and have never heard of an open house for the public to visit the palace.
Driving around the palace ground is the nearest one can get. Taking pictures and loitering around it, outside the fencing will attract attention and get chased away by the security... Perhaps a photo of the palace from far away when I got the chance next time.

This is a very busy road in downtown Johor Bahru. There are many interesting sights along this busy road. There are many local delicacies around here.
This place will be developed into a tourist attraction soon.
Go and explore for yourself !

It is a beautiful and well maintained park for joggers, locals and tourists. This park is also popular for wedding photographs.

It can get a bit too hot during mid-day. The best time to visit is in the morning or evening.

Extract:
"The beautiful palace was commissioned by Sultan Abu Bakar, who laid the foundation stone in 1864. One of the oldest buildings in Johor, it has a cosmopolitan architecture with clear Anglo-Malay influence. Today the palace assumes an additional role as the Royal Abu Bakar Museum, displaying treasures of the royal collection.
It is in the Renaissance style and was built by local workmen under the supervision of an European architect. Much of the original furniture was ordered in England by His Majesty Sultan Abu Bakar in 1866 and he personally directed the laying out of the Palace gardens.

The building has been enlarged and renovated several times. In 1912 the east wing was pulled down and the present Banquet Hall was erected in its place. Today the Palace is mainly used for State ceremonies and official functions, although since 23 February 1982, it has filled an additional role as the Royal Abu Bakar Museum, displaying the art treasures of the Royal collection and historical relics of the Sultanate of Johor."

The building was built in 1940 and is located on a hill called Bukit Timbalan. Its columns and pillars are designs of Saracenic architecture. The building, which is a symbol of progressive and modern Johor, commands a magnificent view of the Straits of Johor. Visitors may find the Grand Hall particularly interesting. The whole building covers 11 floors above the ground and it houses 46 government offices and departments. During World War II, the Japanese occupied the building as a fortress and a store dump when planning attacks on neighbouring Singapore.

The State Secretariat Building ws built on a hill in 1940, among the last British colonial buildings. The building still houses numerous government offices today. During World War II, Imperial Japan occupied the building as a fortress when planning attacks on Singapore.

Planning of the Skudai campus was based on the concept of centralising the main activities of common interests around the mosque which is surrounded by other buildings within walking distance. This concept is in line with the university motto, "For God and Mankind".

Mon - Fri 1pm till late
Sat & Sun: 11am till 1am

Outcall services available