LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque
Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque was built over a period of some eight years starting in 1892 and is a mix of British colonial architecture and traditional Islamic motifs.
One of the signature features of the mosque is the four minarets that are located on the top and are meant to look like traditional British clock towers.
Much of the interior is covered in white marble and you will find a pretty blend of quaint Victorian design features mixed with Moorish motifs.
The mosque can accommodate some 2,000 worshippers at one time and if you like religious architecture then this is not to be missed.
Legoland Malaysia
LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort brings together a LEGOLAND Theme Park, Water Park and Hotel in one LEGO® themed location. It is the ideal family holiday destination with more than 70 hands-on rides, slides, shows and attractions offering adventure, education and fun for action-packed day trips or short break destination. LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort is specifically designed for families with children aged 2-12. It is the first of its kind in Asia and the largest in the world.
Home to the most successful rides, slides, shows and attractions from LEGOLAND Parks around the world, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort is tailor-made for the local environment. It covers the same area of more than 50 full size football pitches and contains more than 15,000 LEGO models made from over 60 million LEGO bricks. Other LEGOLAND Resorts are located in Japan, United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Germany, United States, and the United Kingdom.
Johor Art Gallery
The art gallery building was built in 1910. The building at once became the base for the Japanese Imperial Army during the Japanese occupation of Malaya. The building used to be the official residence of the Chief Minister of Johor Abdullah Jaafar.
Afterwards, the Johor State Government decided to preserve the building by turning it into an art gallery and thus the Johor Art Gallery was opened on 29 January 1994 by Chief Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. In 2000-2003, it was closed for renovation and reopened again on 6 May 2003 by Chief Minister Abdul Ghani Othman.
Johor Premium Outlets
Johor Premium Outlet is the central shopping centre located at Iskandar area in Kulaijaya district. It is a luxury premium outlet and the first of its kind in the South East Asian region.
The shopping centre itself is a major step towards giving a boost to tourism in Malaysia. Apart from being a great shopping complex, the Johor Premium Outlet is a spot that attracts tourists and travellers throughout the year. The locals do visit the shopping complex, but most of the crowd is composed of the outsiders.
Istana Bukit Serene Johor Bahru
Istana Bukit Serene has a tower measuring 35m in height and is among the famous tourist attractions in Johor Bahru. This historical building features unique carvings and is influenced by the Art Deco aesthetic.
The palace has a huge sprawling garden which is a common site for many royal gatherings and celebrations. The palace is well guarded by the Royal Johor Military Force (JMF), the Sultan’s own private army
Istana Besar
Standing tall in the city of Johor Bahru, the palace was built in 1866 by Sultan Abu Bakar. The palace overlooks the Straits of Johor.
The Grand Palace’s most distinctive feature is its Anglo-Malay architecture, characterised by its dome of Malay design contrasted with its blue roof of Anglo influence. The Grand Palace is currently used only for investitures, state banquets and royal functions.
Royal Museum
The most interesting part of the palace is the Royal Abu Bakar Museum located within the palace which was renovated to become a museum in 1982 and officially opened in 1990. It is a living museum which houses a good collection of royal heirloom, impressive rare artifacts and a good record of the history of the state’s royal family.