It’s hard to believe: Johor Bahru, the capital of the Malaysian state of Johor in Malaysia, located on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula on the Strait of Johor, was founded as a fishing village in 1855. The city is connected to Singapore via the Strait of Johor. The city is therefore strategically very convenient, which makes the city a very good starting point for cultural excursions. As a tourist, you can take the bus from here to many places that every Malaysia holidaymaker should see if he is interested in the culture of this Asian country instead of the beach. However, you don’t even have to leave the city limits to find a huge collection of culture. Package tours there are worthwhile – in several ways.
Istana Besar Palace and other sights
The first destination you should have on your cultural excursions is not far from your hotel if you have chosen JB, as the city is also called, as the starting point for your tourist exploration. On the coast of the Strait of Johor stands the Istana Besar Palace. Eleven years after the founding of the fishing village from which the city later emerged, i.e. in 1866, this palace was built. The building now houses the Royal Palace Museum. The Sultan Mosque is located on a small hill and can be seen from afar because it has four minarets. There is another reason why tourists cannot miss this attraction. Because all buses that drive from City Square in the city center pass this mosque directly. The other mosques in the city can also be visited and impress with their versatile design. There are also numerous temples in the city. The oldest temple, the Chinese temple, dates back to 1870. And if you come across two obelisks – one white, the other brown – on your cultural excursions through the street on the street of Johor – then you stand in front of the War Memorial. This memorial was erected in 1962 – in memory of the victims of World War I and World War II. Tourists can experience the culture of the region or the country in its purest form, especially on the grounds of the Mawar complex. There are various buildings on the site, with the Galeri Mawar open to the public, where photos and traditional clothing can be seen. All of the city’s sights can be easily reached by public transport.
A city with many faces
Admittedly, Johor Bahru is not a classic holiday destination, although it is not remote and easily accessible. The city even has – which is very important for package tours – an international airport and also has a nearby beach, lined with exotic trees and behind them the dense rainforest. However, it is primarily cultural tourists who visit the city – because of its rich cultural treasures, all of which were created from 1855 onwards or were brought together on site. In the future, the city should be more easily accessible via an improved rail link.