Museums and galleries in Johor Bahru

Museums and galleries in Johor Bahru

1. See

   Chinatown

   This historical Chinese community area is located mostly along the Tan Hiok Nee Street. It consists of various restaurants, shops and landmarks, such as Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum, Museum of 24 Festive Drum, Senso Art Gallery, Art 52 Gallery and the nearby Johor Bahru Kwong Siew Heritage Gallery.

   Free, except when visiting individual establishment

2. See

   Figure Museum

   Muzium Tokoh

   The museum is housed in a building constructed in 1893 which was once used as the official residence of the first Chief Minister of Johor. As of July 2024, it is under renovation with an unknown date to reopen.

3. See

   JLand Tower

   Menara JLand

   An iconic skyscraper with lightshow on its outer glass windows at night. It has a gallery and viewing platform at its 34th level to see the skyline of Johor Bahru named Skyscape.

4. See

   Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum

   Muzium Warisan Tionghua Johor Bahru

   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/artefacts on display, mannequins dressed in traditional Chinese wedding clothes, a replica of the entrance door and sedan chair of the Roufo Chinese Taoist Temple in Jalan Trus, etc.

   Tue-Sun 9AM-5PM·RM3 adult; RM1 children, students, senior citizens

5. See

   Johor Bahru Hokkien Association Museum

   新山福建文物馆

   The museum showcases the important historical events, such as Malaya during World War 2, cultural relics and the historical development of Fujian.

   Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat 9AM-1PM·Free

6. See

   Johor Bahru Kwong Siew Heritage Gallery

   Galeri Warisan Kwong Siew Johor Bahru

   Museum occupies 2 units of adjoining 2-storey shop houses that were completed in 1907. They used to be the headquarters of the Kwong Siew Clan Association established in 1878 by Wong Ah Fook, a China-born, successful and influential entrepreneur who developed close links with the Johor Sultanate. The exhibits are all the second level (A/C). Here you can find the illustrated biographies of the 13 past and present presidents of the Kwong Siew Wai Kuan (Clan Association), other prominent Kwong Siew Wai Kuan figures, Wong Ah Fook and three of his sons. The history of Kampung Ah Fook, which was established by Wong Ah Fook and corresponds to the very heart of the city, is described here. Some of the exhibits in this museum are: Cantonese opera costumes, weapons used in Chinese martial arts, lion dance troupe equipment and costumes, old Chinese musical instruments, jewellery, opium pipes, and Cantonese opera scripts. Photography is forbidden.

   Tue-Sun 9AM-5PM·RM5 (adults), RM2 (children)

7. See

   Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple

   柔佛古廟

   It is a Chinese temple believed to be built in 1870 by a group of Chinese community leaders led by Tan Hiok Nee, a famous, local Teochew businessman. This is where five different Chinese dialect groups - Cantonese, Hainanese, Hakka, Hokkien and Teochew - worshipped their respective deities and their effigies are all found inside the prayer hall. The Goddess of Mercy and the Weather God are also worshipped here; their effigies are found outside the prayer hall. The prayer hall is straight ahead as you enter the wooden gate entrance from Jalan Trus. There is a small museum behind the prayer hall which have illustrated descriptions of the five deities and the history of the temple, as well as giant photos showing Chingay Parade. Captions are mostly in Chinese only. The temple organizes the annual 4-day Chingay Parade. The climax of the parade occurs on the night of the 3rd day when the deities are paraded around the city centre.

   Closed · opens 7:30 am·Free

8. See

   Johor Craft Complex

   Kompleks Kraf Johor

   Contains a so-called Treasured Possession Gallery exhibits batik, embroidery and beads. It also hosts a handicrafts fair on its premises once a year.

   9AM-6PM

9. See

   Johor Japan Football Gallery

   Galeri Bola Sepak Johor-Jepun

   A gallery built in 2018 by Johor Japan Friendship Association and Johor Darul Ta’zim Football Club which serves as a symbolic reminder of the 20th anniversary of the Japanese national football team’s qualifications into the World Cup after beating Iran to progress to the 1998 World Cup.

   Daily 9:30AM-5:30PM

10. See

    Johor Zoo

    Zoo Johor

    This is one of the oldest zoos in Malaysia. The zoo was built by Sultan Ibrahim in 1928 and became the private menagerie of the royal family. It was opened to the public in 1962. 5-hectare, run-down zoo that provides a dismal diversion to locals and Western tourists. It only has birds and mammals on display. There is a pond inside the zoo where you can rent boats as well as a children's playground. To get there from the city centre, take any of the very frequent buses (one-way fare RM1) that go to Bukit Indah/Kulai/Selesa Jaya from opposite City Square (starting point) at Jalan Wong Ah Fook or from the bus stop in front of KTM Museum at Jalan Tun Abdul Razak.

    9AM-6PM·RM2 adults, RM1 3-12 years old children, free 0-3 years old children

11. See

    KTM Museum

    Muzium KTM

    The museum used to be the main railway station of Johor Bahru.

12. See

    Royal Abu Bakar Museum

    Muzium Diraja Abu Bakar

    The Royal Abu Bakar Museum is one of the oldest buildings in Johor and is one of the main attractions in the state. This building was built in the year of 1866. It is formerly the Grand Palace of the Johor Sultan and has turned into a museum since 1982. The museum is filled with information and rare artifacts of the Royal Family. There are picture galleries featuring the family tree lasting many decades. The belongings of the Royal Family are exhibited there including the weapons of Malaysia. Nearby attractions which are related to the history of Johor and the Sultan himself, include the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque and the Sultan Abu Bakar Monument.

13. See

    Sultan Iskandar Mosque

    Masjid Sultan Iskandar

    Built in 2013, the mosque has been declared as Malaysia's first tourism-friendly mosque after the Malaysia Tourism Quality Assurance certificate issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. It also consists the An-Nur Gallery.

    Free

14. Do

    Tan Sri Dato' Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium

    Larkin Stadium

    The former football stadium for the JDT football team. It also consists of the Johor Japan Football Gallery.

15. Buy

    The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey

    The largest shopping mall in Johor. The main tenant of the shopping mall is SOGO and it also consists the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre for MICE events, KF Kiddy Circuit and children playground Kiddytopia.

16. See

    Art 52 Gallery

    Art gallery.

17. See

    Glulam Gallery

    Galeri Glulam

    It is a gallery which was opened on 22 May 2012.

18. See

    Johor Heritage Foundation

    Yayasan Warisan Johor

    Cultural centre for Johor, which consists of Mawar Gallery.

19. See

    Museum of 24 Festive Drum

    廿四节令鼓文化馆

    Museum about Chinese drums, located above a cafe.

20. See

    Senso Art Gallery Cafe

    Art gallery with cafe and workshop section.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Johor Bahru (CC BY-SA 4.0).