Historical and modern landmarks

Historical and modern landmarks in Johor Bahru

* Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque. Overlooking the Straits, this state mosque was finished in 1900 and opened by the then Sultan Ibrahim. A combination of Moorish and Victorian architecture, visiting hours are between 10am and 6pm from Saturday to Thursday except during congregational prayers. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the mosque building.

* Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Palace Museum, Jalan Skudai. Definitely Johor Bahru's top attraction, this is the opulent former residence (Istana Besar or Grand Palace) of the Sultan of Johor, which is still used on special occasions but is open to the public as a museum the rest of the time. Dating back to 1866 but extended and refurbished many times since, the scale of the palace is suitably grand and the furnishings inside veer from French rococo to dining chairs built from crystal glass via Japanese pottery and oil paintings of the Sultan on his favorite motorbike. The museum consists of 4 parts: the Dewan, the Throne Room, the Treasure Rooms and the Hunting Room; Open Sat-Thu 9 AM-4 PM. Entry US$7 for foreigners, RM5 for Malaysian and Singaporeans , and only RM1 for Malaysian children.

* Sultan Ibrahim Building. Built in 1940, the building is located on Bukit Timbalan and houses the State Secretariat and the offices of the state government. The building blends the cosmopolitan architecture of Renaissance style, with an overlay of Anglo-Malay influence.

* Johor Bahru Art Gallery, Jalan Abdul Samad (about 700m north of the Thistle Hotel). Housed in a 2-storey building built in 1910, it displays mostly Malaysian modern paintings. Free admission. Open daily except on Fridays and public holidays 0800-1700.

* Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum, 42 Jalan Ibrahim (200m sout east of the main post office in downtown JB). Housed in a restored 4-storey building. Learn about the history and culture of the Chinese community in Johor Bahru. The displays are spread out over four storeys. There are numerous captioned photos on display, several TV screens showing video clips, objects/artifacts on display, mannequins dressed in traditional Chinese wedding clothes, a replica of the entrance door and sedan chair of the Roufo Chinese Temple in Jalan Trus, etc. Open daily except Mondays 9pm-5pm. Admission for adults RM3.

* Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Hindu Temple less than 50m west of Tebrau Highway and 400m north of Tropical Inn/Landmark Shopping Centre and beside the railway track. Touted as "The First Glass Temple in the World". The inner surface of the walls and the columns inside the temple are cladded with glass, hence the name. Temple prayer hours 0730-1200 daily; Temple closure 1200-1300 Tue-Sun, 1200-1900 Mon; Temple visiting hours 1300-1800 daily except Mondays (closed to visitors). Admission 10/5 RM for adults/children (5-12 years old), still photography/video fee 3/5 RM, leaving shoes with the guardian 0.50 RM. Official website http://www.srirajakaliamman.org/index.html

-Info courtesy of Wikitravel-