Royal Abu Bakar Museum: A favorite spot for shutterbugs, this former palace built in 1866 during the reign of Sultan Abu Bakar, regarded as the 'Father of Modern Johor' is sight with its Anglo-Malay architecture, magnificent dome and distinctive blue roof. It is now the royal museum housing the crown jewels, historical artifacts and other priceless heirlooms of the Johor royal family. Visitors will be impressed with its beautiful and immaculate Japanese-style gardens containing a variety of plants, orchids, and ferns. Located within the palace grounds, the Mawar Gift Shop is an ideal place for buying souvenirs

Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque: Perched atop the hill overlooking the Straits of Johor, not far from the Grand Palace, the Sultan Abu Bakar mosque is regarded as one of the most beautiful mosques in Malaysia. It was completed in 1900 after taking 8 years to build. The mosque can accommodate 2,000 worshippers.

Sultan Ibrahim Building: This massive building on Bukit Timbalan dominates the skyline of Johor Bahru. The Saracenic character and fine mosaic detail particularly of the Grand Hall make it one of the most interesting buildings in Johor Bahru.

Istana Bukit Serene: This palace was completed in 1933 and is the current residence of the Sultan of Johor. The building is surrounded by beautiful gardens and its spectacular 32-meter-tower is a city landmark.

Johor Art Gallery: Located at Jalan Petri, the Johor Art Gallery holds and interesting collection of historical costumes, weapons, currency, manuscripts, ceramics and paintings.
The gallery, built in 1910, offers an interesting journey through Johor's history.

Johor Area Rehabilitation Organization: The Johor Area Rehabilitation Organization (JARO) offers handicrafts made by inmates in the form of cane furniture, stuffed toys, quilted bedspreads and woven products. Situated on Jalan Chat, it is open daily except Sundays and Public holidays.

Beyond Johor Bahru

Johor Lama: Once the royal seat of the Johor Empire, Johor Lama is a little village 30 kilometers from Johor Bahru. This former capital was raided and destroyed by the Portuguese in 1587. History buffs will be able to see its restored earth mound fort.

Tanjung Piai: Located on the southern most tip of mainland Asia, about 75 kilometers from Johor Bahru, Tanjung Piai is famous for its mangrove swamplands, home to many exotic aquatic life-forms such as the multi-colored mangrove crabs, beady-eyed mudskippers and crab-eating macaques. Another attraction here is to see how gula melaka (brown sugar) is processed the traditional way and the collection of honey at the honey bee farm.

Ayer Hitam: an hour's drive north of Johor Bahru, this popular transit point on the North-South Expressway is well-known for its Aw Pottery. A wide arrange of ceramic is available including vases and jars, home ornamental pieces, flower pots and other attractive gift items. It is also a good place to sample local tidbit such as prawn crackers, tapioca chips, steamed corn and 'otak otak'.

Orchid Valley: Orchid Valley is located along the 19th Mile, Pontian Road. The Valley spans a massive 100 acres of land at the foothills of Gunung Pulai. Visitors to this floral paradise will be able to view over 80 species of exotic tropical orchids. There is also an educational corridor within this Valley where you can gain valuable knowledge about tropical orchids. Visitors can also purchase cut-orchids and plants as well as pretty orchid motif souvenirs.

Gunung Pulai Recreation Forest: This \8 hectare forest reserve at the foothills of Gunung Pulai is a flora and fauna sanctuary and a recreational haven for nature lovers. Its waterfalls with their natural polls provide a refreshing ambiance and make it an ideal spot for picnickers. The park is also a venue of seminars, work camps, and jungle trekking to the summit of Gunung Pulai.

Muar: Muar is a charming riverine town on the north-western coast of Johor close to the border with Melaka. A coastal town washed by the Straits of Melaka, it was once a place of refuge for the deposed Sultan Mahmad of Mekaka. Fondly known by its feminine name for "Bandar Maharani" or the Town of the Princess, Muar is renowned for its Ghazal music. The town has some excellent seafood restaurants which are worth trying. Its three-lined riverside promenade is ideal for evening strolls.

Gunung Ledang: A popular spot for jungle trekking and mountain climbing, Gunung Ledang or Mt. Ophir according to folklore is the home of the legendary Princess, Puteri Gunung Ledang, once wooed by Sultan Mansor Shah of Melaka. There are trails for those attempting the climb to the summit of this 1276 meter mountain. The Sagil waterfall at the base of the mountain is a popular spot for picnicking. There is a resort for visitors who wish to extend their stay to enjoy the cool and refreshing natural environment. Gunung Ledang is accessible from Muar along the trunk road leading to Segamat. A quicker route is to travel along the North-South Expressway from Johor Bahru, exit at Tangkaka and proceed eastwards from there.

Kota Tinggi Waterfalls: Located 56 kilometers northeast of Johor Bahru, these waterfalls have been a traditionally favorite spot for picnicking among both local and foreign visitors. The highest waterfall cascades 32 meters into a pool. There are chalets for overnight accommodation as well as a camping site. On the way t Kota Tinggi, stop by Ulu Tiram Estate to see how oil palm is cultivated and processed.

Endau-Rompin National Park: Endau-Rompin National Park spans the borders of Johor and Pahang, covering a vast area of 488 square kilometers. This ancient tropical rainforest is home to variety of large and small mammals, insects, fish and birds. It is said to be one of the last remaining sanctuary of tropical flora and fauna in this region. Mostly hilly, the park is watershed of several rivers including the Sungai Endau, Sungai Selai and Sungai Jasin.

Places of interest here are the Orang Asli settlement in Kampong Peta and the waterfalls in Upeh Guling and Bauya Sangkut. The park is a sanctuary to the rare Sumatran rhinoceros, an endangered species. Overnight facilities within the park can be found at Jasin, Upeh Guling and Buaya Sangkut waterfalls. Adventure seekers have a choice of chalets, dormitories of camping sites. To get to the park one has to first head for Kluang and then to Kahang. From there, a four-wheel drive vehicle takes the visitors along a rugged 56 kilometers jungle track to Kampong Peta, an entry point to the park. Here, the visitor has to register himself to gain access to the park. Alternatively, Kampong Peta can be reached by boat from the Felda Nitar II land scheme.

Desaru: Johor's premier beach resort is at Desaru, a magnificent 25 kilometers stretch of sandy beach flanking the South China Sea. Located 98 kilometers from Johor Bahru, the resort has fine hotels, beach chalets and is just the right place to unwind and indulge in a host of carefree activities such as fishing, snorkeling, windsurfing, boating, canoeing, swimming and jungle-trekking.

An interesting spot visitors should not miss is the Fishermen's Museum located at the Tanjung Balau fishing village. Visitors can view the museum's impressive collection of fishing traps, tackles and floats on display as well as an exhibition on the folklore of fishermen. For the adventurous who have a yen for sailing, Johor's numerous inlets and coves indenting its southeastern coast are worthwhile exploring.

Welcoming yachting enthusiasts to this region is Sebana Cove, which promises to be one of Asia's foremost international yachting, golfing and holiday destinations. Spread over 1,200 acres, amidst the lush greenery of tropical rainforests and mangrove, Sebana offers a total resort holiday that includes an international standard residential marina, a 27 hole membership golf course, luxurious waterfront properties and a 300 room resort hotel of which 60 rooms are available for rental.

Off-shore islands

The islands off Johor's eastern coast are ideal getaways fro sheer relaxation, sun bathing and sea sports. Gazetted as marine parks, these islands and their surrounding waters are also the perfect spot for viewing the rich aquatic life that abound in Malaysia's underwater worlds. Pulau Sibu, the most developed of the group is a pleasant hideaway that abounds with tropical vegetation and endless stretches of golden beaches. Its coral reefs teem with fascinating variety of colorful marine life as well as wrecks waiting to be explored. Accommodation on the island range from fully furnished chalets to basic A-frame huts. There are facilities for scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing, and angling. Other magical islands where chalet type accommodation is available are Pulau Tinggi, Pulau Tengah, Pulau Besar, Pulau Hujong, Pulau Rawa, Pulau Pemanggil and Pulau Aur.

Apart form beach and water sport activities on these islands, visitors can also indulge in jungle trekking, watching leatherback turtles lay their eggs, island hopping, excursions and get a taste of local lifestyle in a fishing village. Mersing, 138 kilometers north of Johor Bahru, is the take off point to Johor's island in the South China Sea. This gateway to Johor's marine wonders is a tourist destination in its own right with its picturesque beach front, charming fishing villages, and the rustic rural environment of the surrounding areas.