Best Bars In Malacca That The City Has To Offer

February 13, 2024

Malacca, also spelt as Melaka, has changed a lot since the lockdown and the next time you find yourself in this historical town while on your trip to Malaysia, be sure to check out some of the best, most interesting bars, including a 100-year-old one.

Malacca is known for many things, especially being home to a rich and culturally diverse environment. With travel back in full swing now, a short trip here is always a good idea. There is plenty to discover, from heritage hotels to cafes. And since the historic city is also known as one of the best places to visit to eat to your heart’s content, you might forget that it also has plenty of great bars.

The bar scene in Malacca has recently upped its ante, with names like BUDI that offer more than just potent cocktails. Others, like the 100-year-old Sin Hiap Hin, well, let history do the talking.

There are also plenty of old-school bars readily available, featuring the background of the rich history of one of Malaysia’s oldest states. Checking out these best bars in Malacca may be the perfect reason to plan a trip.

8 best bars in Malacca to visit:

Jonker Street is one of the more livelier places within the city of Malacca and rightfully so, as there is always something going on. However, Jonker Street is also popular mainly due to the Geographer Café, which cannot be missed as it’s one of the biggest bars around the area. It embodies the term ‘east meets west’ while maintaining its warm ambience and old charm. The Geographer Café also serves up a wide array of dishes, which ranges from your classic Western dishes as well as local delicacies. It also has plenty of beer choices on tap as well as wine and other liquors.

**Address:** 83, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka

**Phone:** +06-2816813

Hatten Hotel is considered to be one of the more luxurious stays you can find when in Malacca. The hotel is set against a picturesque vista of Malacca’s most famous historical landmarks and on the 22nd floor lies Alto Sky Lounge. It brings a whole new definition to the term “a new height of luxury” with a breathtaking view of the cityscape right before your eyes. Alto Sky Lounge also offers a wide variety of drinks, from cocktails to fine wines. Be sure to dress appropriately as Alto Sky Lounge does have a strict ‘smart casual’ dress code.

**Address:** Hatten Square, Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia

**Phone:** +60 6-286 9696

It appears Malacca has also caught up with the times with its very own speakeasy bar known as The Old Merchant. From a first glance, The Old Merchant carries a heavy oriental vibe to its atmosphere as it was evolved from an ancient private bank that dates back to the 1920s. The speakeasy is also located along Jalan Kampung Pantai, which was the original Chinatown back in 15th-century Malacca. The Old Merchant also sticks true to the heritage of being a speakeasy as it will be a bit of a task to locate.

**Address:** 88, Jalan Kampung Pantai, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia

**Phone:** +60 19-627 9020

*Image credit: The Old Merchant 滙庄/Facebook*

If you’re looking to liven up your evening, the Hard Rock Cafe in Malacca is the place to be. The franchise has been around since the 1970s with its rock & roll themed memorabilia that adorn its walls. Fans of old-school rock & roll are in for a treat as Hard Rock Cafe has plenty of that and more. It also offers a wide spread of dishes and drinks for one to pick from while you go back through the golden years of rock & roll. You can also walk away with Hard Rock Cafe souvenirs from its gift shop, located within the premises.

**Address:** 28, Lorong Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka

**Phone:** +606-2925188

*Image credit: Hard Rock Cafe Melaka/Facebook*

Inspired by the golden days of Dondang Sayangs clubs, BUDI Melaka is a hidden bar that offers more than just a good ol’ Old Fashioned. Sin See Tai cafe by day, and BUDI Melaka by night, the bar serves a bevvy of unique cocktails made using local produce including a vegetable-forward menu that incorporates homegrown ingredients like bittergourd, eggplant, corn and sweet pea into its concoction. The multi-level bar is eccentrically designed, giving a sense of mystery and cosiness at the same time. We recommend that you make a reservation before heading over because seats are pretty limited.

**Address:** 16, Kampung Jawa, 75100 Melaka

**Phone:** +6017-7188269

*Image credit: Budi/Facebook*

Sin Hiap Hin — If you’re looking for something authentic and old-school, your visit to Melaka will not be complete without a drink at the 100-year-old vintage bar at Java Lane. This drinking hole is a living heritage and is managed by Aunty Doris, the bartender in charge of serving and pouring you some of the most unconventional spirits in the market. She’s been with the bar for over 40 years, and it is raved about for its rustic saloon-style bar that’s unpretentious yet charming. When visiting the oldest bar in historical Melaka, you’ll get more than cocktails and shots, but anecdotes of good ol’ Malacca from the owner herself.

**Address:** 5, Kampung Jawa, 75200 Melaka

*Image credit: tripadvisor*

They say the best way to explore Malacca city is by foot. If you happen to be around the heritage zone, Tipsy Bridge is a must-go for a tipple. It’s tucked in an alleyway off the main road, along Jalan Kampung Pantai across Kampung Jawa Bridge (where Sin See Tai or BUDI Melaka is). Its neon-lit signage is quite hard to miss. The little street here is quite happening at night, with upbeat music and neighbouring cafes like Tuju Cafe and The Bridge Cafe.

**Address:** Jalan Kampung Pantai, Dalam Lorong Jabatan, 75200 Melaka

**Phone:** +6011-2682 3038

*Image credit: tipsybridgeauthentic/Instagram*

Located adjacent to the famous Jonker Street, Reggae on the River is a riverside bar that allows you to chill al-fresco style while having a pint of beer or tequila shots. It’s a popular drinking place among the locals and offers a nice view of the vibrant Melaka River.

**Address:** 88, Lorong Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka

**Phone:** +6010-2716871

*Image credit: Reggae On The River/Facebook*

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Rawa Island: How To Get There From Singapore (Travel Guide)

February 19, 2024

There is no other place like Rawa Island in Malaysia.

It is unspoiled, authentic and beautiful.

The island’s beauty and serenity are well preserved.

Also, it is the perfect place for a tropical escape.

With little development, Rawa Island might be lesser-known but it still attracts nature lovers from all over the world.

Plan a visit to Rawa Island, you will never regret and you get to experience island life to the fullest.

Today, I’m going to share with you how to get to Rawa Island from Singapore as well as everything about Rawa Island, Johor.

How To Get To Rawa Island From Singapore

Bus From Singapore To Rawa Island

The most budget transportation to Mersing will be taking public transport offered by Five Stars Express and WTS coach.

The pickup point of Five Stars Express is at Golden Mile Complex whereas the pickup point of WTS coach is at Singapore Flyer. One way ticket costs SGD $31.50 and SGD $40.00 respectively.

The coach departs very early in the morning, at 6:15 am so that the passengers can catch the ferry to Rawa Island at 11:00 am. It takes 3 hours to arrive safely at Mersing Jetty but it still depends on the traffic condition.

However, as the bus is only available once per day, it is recommended to book the bus ticket online beforehand. The return ticket can also be booked directly.

Pros: Cheapest option

Cons: You need to disembark from the bus at Singapore Woodlands Checkpoint (Singapore Immigration) and queue for 40 minutes to 1 hour. After that, you need to wait for the rest of the bus passengers to be done.

Then, you need to disembark from the bus again at Johor Custom (Malaysia Immigration) and queue another 40 minutes to 1 hour. It’s quite hassled because you also need to bring your luggage down for scanning. This procedure is applied for entering and existing Singapore.

How To Go To Rawa Island From Mersing

1. Ferry From Mersing Jetty To Rawa Island

Rawa Island is a 1-hour ferry ride from Mersing Jetty. The tickets are sold at the sales counter which costs RM35 per ride.

The ferry departs every 1 to 2 hours between 9:30am and 5:30pm, depending on the tidal conditions especially during the Full Moon.

Also read: Batam To Johor Bahru Ferry Guide

2. Boat From Mersing Jetty To Rawa Island

Alternatively, take a 30 minutes boat ride to Rawa Island. Normally, it costs RM35 per way but it depends on the size of traveling group.

There is no fixed departure time but more boats are available during peak season (March-September). Boat transfer can be arranged with any of the Rawa Island resorts package in advance.

The resort offers Rawa full board package includes boat transfer from Mersing Jetty to Rawa Island, accommodation and meals. Just to inform that there is only 2 resort you can choose either Alang’s Rawa Resort or Rawa Island Resort.

2 Awesome Rawa Island Accommodation

1. Alang’s Rawa Resort

Rawa Island is a private island owned by Johor Sultanate. There is little development to keep the island pristine. The unspoiled paradise of Rawa Island is the perfect short weekend getaways from Singapore. It is also an ideal place for honeymoon and family gathering.

Alang’s Rawa Resort lines perfectly along the beach. The rooms offered include a beach house, jungle side, coconut tree group room, coconut tree, little A-Frames and beachfront.

Each room is clean, well-equipped and provides wonderful sea views. The friendly staffs will render assistance to guests in all they can do.

Alang’s Rawa serves simple yet delightful dishes. The highlight of the dishes here is Rawa Special Fish. It is prepared by using the freshest fish and local ingredients.

If you are staying here on the weekend, do not miss out the BBQ buffet offered on Saturday nights. Lots of mouthwatering choices are available to satisfy your appetite.

Most of the guests are impressed by the warm hospitality of the staff. Compared to other bigger islands, this small and beautiful island makes them feel private and serene.

They had never seen such white and fine sands at any other beaches before. Before leaving, they strongly recommend future visitors to discover the hilltop view and go for trekking.

2. Rawa Island Resort

Rawa Island Resort is considered as a family resort as there are lots of activities and entertainment offered to the entire family. Discounts are given to individual guests who return here again.

While staying here, the parents can simply relax by sleeping in hammocks around. Their children can enjoy outdoor activities such as canoeing, jumping on the trampoline and playing beach volleyball.

Photo credits: rawaislandresort.com

There are 77 specially designed rooms offered by Rawa Island Resort. All rooms are featured with en-suite bathrooms, hot shower and air conditioning system. At the restaurant and bar, you can find tea/coffee making facilities and television.

The on-site restaurant serves buffet-style meals. Guests can get up and refill whenever they like. In between meal times, sandwiches are provided at request. Infant milk and food will also be provided to a family traveling with the baby.

With a warm and passionate welcome from attentive staffs, the guests felt themselves at home. Most of the kids had lots of fun spending the whole day on the beach. They enjoyed snorkeling and jumping off the jetty into the sea the most.

The guests will never go thirsty or hungry as food are constantly provided. Most of them promised to visit Rawa Island Resort again in the future.

4 Best Resort Near Rawa Island

1. D’Coconut Island Resort

Looking forward to waking up to a breathtaking sunrise and taking a walk along the white sandy beach? Look no further than D’Coconut Island Resort.

Perfectly surrounded by crystal clear waters, D’Coconut Island Resort offers amazing sea view and exciting beach activities to guests.

The resort is situated on Pulau Besar, a place surrounded by many gorgeous islands such as Rawa Island, Harimau Island and Mensirip Island. Therefore, the visitors are easily accessed to the nearby islands.

The resort offers 65 well-fitted guestrooms with private balcony overlooking the beach. Each room features air conditioning, hot shower facilities and a refrigerator. The on-site restaurant is set against the beautiful sea views. Local and western dishes can be found here.

For leisure, take advantages of the recreational facilities offered by the resort whether taking a dip in the pool or jogging around the garden. The guests can also go snorkeling and play beach volleyball while staying here.

2. Mersing Beach Resort

Mersing Beach Resort is located in Air Papan, about 10km away to the north of Mersing. The resort is surrounded by an incredibly beautiful beach.

The beach has clean blue sea and a gentle breeze that will make you feel astonishing. The silhouette of the islands can be seen around the resort.

The rooms here are quite big and all of the rooms are fully equipped with air-conditioner, refrigerator, full toiletries, hot and cold shower, LCD television, electrical jug kettle, private balcony, wardrobe, mirror and dressing table.

The guests are just a few steps away from the beautiful white sand and crystal clear beach.

The resort is featured with an on-site swimming pool. For safety purpose, parents can let their children playing in the pool rather than in the sea. With the breathtaking sea view offered, everyone seems to lose track of the time since they were here.

Address: Lot 456, Pantai Peranginan Air Papan, Mersing, Johor, 86800 Malaysia
Contact: +607-799 4545

3. Fishing Bay Resort

Fishing Bay Resort is located by a bay called Teluk Buih. It is also known as Air Papan, a village in Johor. Securely surrounded by decent rainforest, diverse species of flora and fauna can be found here.

It is one of the most well-known family resorts in Malaysia. For those who like rustic rooms and chalets that feature an interior setting alike traditional homestays, Fishing Bay Resort is your best choice.

Even though the room is set in the traditional way but it comes with modern amenities include air-conditioner, television, hot water shower and free WIFI internet access.

As the resort name indicates, it is an ideal place for guests who wish to angle along the shore.

The resort is a pleasant place to enjoy the serenity of nature. It is a privilege to spend your time here away from the hustle and bustle in the city.

Address: 525 Teluk Buih Air Papan, 86800 Kampung Kayu Papan, Malaysia
Contact: +60 7-799 6753

4. Aseania Beach Resort Pulau Besar

Aseania Beach Resort Pulau Besar is a 3-star resort which offers a fairytale-like experience to the guests. The sea surrounded the resort homes to a variety of cute and tiny sea creatures. Besides, the guests are constantly greeted by the swaying coconut trees and soft white sands.

Although the resort is decorated in kampung style, it is well-equipped with modern facilities. The room features air conditioning, mini fridge, hot shower, and satellite television, just to name a few. Apart from that, all of the staffs have a really good manner.

Beach volleyball, motorized water sports, and beach futsal are some of the beach facilities provided. The guests can explore the underwater through snorkeling and scuba diving.

After all day long activities, delicious cuisines can be found in their restaurant. Savour the scrumptious cuisines while enjoying the scenery of the beach will be a perfect ending for the day.

Address: Lot 33,34 and 35, Pulau Besar, Mersing, Johor, Malaysia
Email: [email protected]

8 Fun Thing To Do In Rawa Island

1. Rawa Island Snorkeling (Le Club Rawa)

Discover the underwater beauty surrounds Rawa Island by go snorkeling. Crystal clear water allows you so see a variety of marine life clearly.

All the snorkeling gear you will need is provided by Le Club Rawa. The best part is you can literally start snorkeling just a few steps from your room. However, beware of jellyfishes.

2. Play Rawa Island Water Slides

Enjoy a thrilling splashdown experience by playing water slides. It is not only for children, but adults can also attempt water slides too.

The riders will experience simple twists and turns and end up splashing into the cool sea. If you are fear of heights, jumping off from the jetty can give you an almost similar experience.

3. Kayak/Canoeing At Rawa Island

Canoeing is one of the leisure activities which can be found in Rawa Island. Paddle with the current while sitting in canoe makes you feel like floating on the blue sea.

Rent a canoe from the resort and start discovering the unspoiled island. You may discover something new!

4. Go To Fishing

With the fishing tours organized by the resorts, fishing enthusiasts will fall in love with Rawa Island. The tour is RM300.00 per travel for 3 to 4 individual.

All the fishing equipment is provided by the resort. If you are new to fishing, the staffs will always be there to help you.

5. Play Beach Volleyball

Beach volleyball is played in teams. The parents can spend quality time with their little ones through playing beach volleyball.

The children will not get hurt if they fall down. Instead, they find interesting diving in the soft sand after the ball. The volleyball can be accessed upon request.

6. Jungle Trekking

It is worth spending 40 minutes hiking to the hilltop in the evening. Take the long trekking path and follow the sign to the hilltop. The breathtaking ocean view is offered along the path.

You will be rewarded with a stunning sunset sea view once you reach the hilltop. Beware of the steep stairs.

7. Walk around at Rawa Island beach

Walking barefoot on the beach takes you into nature and reduces stress. Above you are the blue sky and beside you is the clear blue water.

It is refreshing walking across the shore and leaving your footprints behind. Walk around with friends or family to enjoy the beautiful scenery together.

8. Rawa Island Diving

Photo credits: rawaislandresort.com

Rawa Island is ideal for diving as it has clear water. Now, discover scuba diver programme is offered to those who are new to diving.

Your safety is guaranteed as you will be under the close supervision of an experienced instructor. Join the dive courses to explore more!

Best Time To Go Pulau Rawa

Visit Rawa Island between March to September and stay away from monsoon season (October-March).

Within this period of time (March to September), the sea view is breathtaking and the weather is great for water activities.

It is the best time to travel as it ensures a pleasant stay with your loved ones.

15 Things To Know Before You Travel To Rawa Island

Avoid visiting Rawa Island during monsoon season. Rainy days may spoil your trip.
Bring along some medicines. There is no clinic or hospital on the island. Medical aid can only be obtained from Mersing.
The accommodation package should have included boat trips.
The boat trip timings vary according to tide condition.
Alang’s Rawa Resort does not provide WiFi to guests.
Kayak, snorkeling gears and life jacket are free to be used right after depositing RM50.
All the purchases on Rawa Island should be paid in cash.
Bring your own diving gears. There is no diving shop on the island.
Take a dip in the crystal clear water. Discover the sea creatures on your own.
Alang’s Rawa Resort is suitable for budget travelers.
Hike to the hilltop to see stunning views of the entire island.
Kindly ask the staffs for help. All of them are willing to help you.
In Alang’s Rawa Resort, all expenses are paid only when checking out.
Take a lot of photos of this beautiful paradise.
Get the Malaysia mobile simcard because resort does not have Wi-Fi.

16 Historical Places In Johor Bahru Every History Enthusiast Must Visit

February 16, 2024

Do you know that Johor Bahru boasts many incredible yet elegant historical buildings?

Some even stand prominently in Johor Bahru for over hundreds of years!

Most of the historical places in Johor Bahru as listed below are within walking distance from one another.

This means that you can discover more than 8 historical places in a day! Sound good to make short trips from Singapore?

After visiting historical sites in Johor, you definitely will learn more about the history and culture of Johor Bahru.

What are you waiting for? Scroll down to discover all of them!

16 Johor Bahru Heritage Trail & Historical Places

1. Tiong Hua Chinese Heritage Museum (新山华人历史文物馆)

Tiong Hua Chinese Heritage Museum is a newly-renovated museum that boasts 4-storey and stands prominently in the middle of the row of the shophouse. Before converting into a museum, it was previously owned by JB Tiong Hua Association as their base.

The first, second and third floors display the lives of Chinese immigrants in Johor in 17th century while the fourth floor devotes to Dr. Sun Yat Sen, the founder and the first president of the Republic of China.

Also read: Top 31 Things To Do In Johor Bahru (JB)

Basically, it showcases artifacts, records, pictures, and cash from the past. The exhibition was complemented by the audio tour to help in the understanding of the history.

Address: 42, Jalan Ibrahim, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Operation Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Entrance Fee: RM6 per adult & RM3 per child

2. The Red House Johor Bahru (新山红楼)

Primary possessed by an Indian family, The Red House was a pre-war shophouse with hundreds of years of history.

Later while the street was nominated as a heritage street, the facade was repainted in bright red and white and served as a prominent heritage building along the street.

Due to the eye-catching furnishing, it eventually turned into the landmark of the area and hosted many cultural events.

The nostalgic ambiance offered in every single corner is truly the highlight of The Red House. This attracts tourists the most and many suggest that the elegant environment is suitable for filming movie too.

Address: No.56, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Tel: +607 – 224 9633

3. Sri Raja Mariamman Temple Johor Bahru (新山翁固本街的斯里拉惹马里安曼兴都庙)

Immerse in the rich culture of Hindu at Sri Raja Mariamman Temple that sandwiched between Kota Raya Plaza shopping complex and the busy Jalan Wong Ah Fook.

With over 100 years of history, the impressive Hindu temple was a huge contrast to nearby hotels and shopping malls.

Also read: Glass Temple: Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Johor Bahru

The Hindu temple pays homage to the goddess Mariamman, the deity of fertility and rain and she was believed to cure disease and illness of her believers.

There’re lots of gatekeepers at the entrance of building guarding and protecting the temple. Before entering, visitors are required to take off their shoes.

On the pavement outside, it lines with peddlers selling Hindu handicrafts, spices and flowers. The flowers sold are dedicated to the Hindu deities. During Hindu festivals, especially Deepavali, the area is extremely crowded with believers and visitors.

Address: Between Jalan Trus & Jalan Ungku Puan, 8000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Opening Hours:
Daily: 6:00am – 5:00pm
Entrance Fee: Free

4. Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple (柔佛古庙)

Built in 19^th century, Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple is said to be the only survived worship place despite the cruel bombing in World War 2. Old statues, signage, and antiques add more historical values to the facade.

The temple hosts 5 deities namely Hong Xian Da Di, Gan Tian Da Di, Zhao Da Yuan Shuai, Xuan Tian Shang Di and Hua Guang Da Di.

Each is respectively worshipped by 5 different Chinese dialect groups such as Hokkien, Cantonese, Hainan, Teochew, and Hakka. It symbolizes the unity of these dialects group too.

The temple holds an annual event, Chingay (Parade of Deities) that lasts for 4 days. Parading with the deities around the Town Centre of JB on the third night is the climax and highlight of this parade. The event has successfully attracted over 300k people in the past few years.

Address: Lot 653, Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Opening Hours:
Daily: 7:00am – 5:00pm
Entrance Fee: Free

5. Masjid India Johor Bahru @ India Muslim Mosque (印度穆斯林清真寺)

Located right at the junction of Jalan Duke and Jalan Dhoby, Masjid India serves as the main worship place of Indian Muslim in Johor Bahru.

Featuring a silver and blue dome with 2 minarets aside, the mosque comes with white walls with blue-tinted glass, offering a modern ambiance and convenient.

Up until now, the history of the mosque is still a mystery. We only found out that the mosque was constructed by the local Indian Muslims. Or maybe you can ask the Indian Muslims around for more information.

Address: Jalan Duke, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

6. Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Temple Johor Bahru (新山锡克庙)

The most unique and exotic heritage of Sikh in Johor is treasured in Sikh Gurdwara Sahib. In ancient time, most of the Sikhs was appointed to work as policemen and the bodyguards of royalty. This temple was built by them after receiving the approval from the government.

After the renovation, the temple boasts 2-storey with crenellate walls on top and plenty of window frames in yellow. It is also a complex temple with kitchen, hall, dining room, office inside. On the second floor, there’re prayers rooms provided to Sikh visitors.

Currently, the Gurdwara is under the management of Sikh religious leaders comprising president and other committee members. Every time when they hold religious activities, over 250 Sikh families will participate in these activities.

Address: 1, Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Opening Hours:
Sunday (9:30am – 11:30am) – Normal Weekly Prayers
Saturday (6:30pm – 8:00pm) – The Naujawan Programmes
Tuesday (2:30pm – 4:30pm) – The Isteri Satsang Programmes

7. Sultan Ibrahim Building Johor Bahru (苏丹依布拉欣大厦[旧州政府大厦])

Overlooking the city centre of JB, Sultan Ibrahim Building was one of the most majestic buildings in JB that blend well with Malay and colonial architecture.

The construction was started in 1936 was completed in 1940, costing 2 million ringgit in overall. In those days, it served as the tallest building in JB.

During World War II while Johor was under Japanese rule, the Japanese Army used the building as a fortress, spying the actions of British Army around.

The building was formally served as the state secretariat building, state assembly hall and Chief Minister’s office until 2009. Recently, it turned into historical landmarks and visitors are required to ask for permission from the security guards before entering the compound.

Address: Jalan Bukit Timbalan, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Tel: +607 – 222 3591
Operating Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Closed on: Weekends & Public Holidays.

8. Johor Bahru Old Railway Station (新山旧火车站)

Johor Bahru Old Railway Station was once an intercity railway station that boasts western architecture in a very unique way. The building was launched in 1932 but it was closed in 2010. This is partly due to the replacement of the services by the new railway station in JB.

Nevertheless, it will be transforming into the very first train museum in Malaysia, bringing pride and excitement to Johoreans. The opening of the train museum is estimated to fall on 16 Sept 2016.

Address: Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.

9. Holy Light Church Johor Bahru (基督教长老会圣光堂)

Founded by Rev John Angus Bethune Cook, a missionary from England in 1886, Holy Light Church serves as one of the oldest church in JB.

In old times, workers built the church building from timber but they didn’t expect that building was attacked by termites years after years.

So, the leaders of the church decided to renovate the building and build a new sanctuary. The renovation and construction were completed in 2012 and the old building was used as Youth Hall recently.

Address: Lot 156608, Persiaran Pondersoa Utama, Taman Ponderosa, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Tel: +607 – 224 3285

10. SK Ayer Molek Johor Bahru (亚逸摩力国小)

The unique school lies at the small hill behind the Wisma Persekutuan Johor Bahru. It was established in 1883 and before the construction, the area was used for coffee plantation so the hill was also known as “coffee hill” by locals.

In 1942, the area was used by the Japanese army as their hospital until World War II ended. Later in 1946, the school was reopened and since then, SK Ayer Molek had produced lots of talented and high achieving students who were now working for the government.

Address: JKR 438, Jalan Ayer Molek, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Tel: +607 – 222 1569

11. Bazar Karat JB (新山市区跳蚤市场[新山市集])

Recently, Bazar Karat is officially known as “JB Bazar”. It is a good place to buy cheap and rare items such as clothes, accessories, food, pets, antics and music products. At most of the stalls, you can even bargain for cheaper prices.

The place is always crowded and it becomes extremely havoc especially during weekends. Be there early as it’s always hard to get a parking spot.

The flea market has a history of over 10 years and many tourists come over to get close to local culture. Definitely a must-go at night!

Address: 20, Jalan Segget, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Opening Hours:
Daily: 6:00pm – 12:00am

12. Johor Bahru High Court (新山高等法庭)

In the late 1800s when Johor was under the reign of Sultan Abu Bakar, the court of Johor was built together with headquarter of polis station at Jalan Ayer Molek.

Later In 1928, it was moved to Jalan Dato’ Onn, the exact location of where Johor Bahru High Court stands nowadays. The high court holds session court and magistrates court too.

Photo credits: wikimapia.org

Take a closer look at the building and you’ll notice that it shows the features of Italian Renaissance architecture. The influence is because Johor was brought under British control when the court was built.

Address: Jalan Dato’ Onn, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Tel: +607 – 226 7780 / +607 – 226 7781 / +607 – 226 7782

13. Johor Bahru Post Office (新山邮政局)

Painted in white, Johor Bahru Post Office is a 3-storey building located next to the Johor Bahru City Hall. The post office is within walking distance from the Johor Bahru High Court.

14. Johor Bahru Central Police Station (新山中央警署)

Set across 1 acre of land, the construction of Johor Bahru Central Police Station was started in 1925 and was completed in 1927. A year later the police station was opened to public, until now.

In old times, Johor Sultan was forced to appoint a British advisor to help in ruling the country. The police station was built during that time and hence, it serves as one of the British colonial buildings in Malaysia.

The noticeable blue and white furnishing were greatly influenced by the architecture from England.

Address: 489, Jalan Meldrum, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Tel: +607 – 223 2222

15. Johor Bahru Prison (新山亚逸摩力监狱)

Built in 1883, Johor Bahru Prison is the third prison established in Peninsular Malaysia. After visiting the prisons in Osaka and Shanghai, Sultan Abu Bakar (King of Johor) came out an idea to build a prison in Johor. From the door to the cell, the design has many similarities to those in Shanghai and Osaka.

When Johor was still under the colonisation of British, this prison was used to imprison the criminals and people who rebelled against the British officials. However, in 2005, the prison was moved to Kluang due to small spaces and this prison was kept as detention site.

Address: Jalan Ayer Molek, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.

16. Bank Negara Malaysia Johor Bahru (马来西亚中央银行柔佛分行大厦)

Bank Negara Malaysia is the central bank of Malaysia which acts as the advisor to Malaysia’s government. Since its establishment in 1959, it built branches in every capital states of Peninsular Malaysia and the headquarter was located at Kuala Lumpur.

While in the late 1900s, their bank services were taken over by the newly established retail banks. This results in the closing of their branches in most of the states, leaving only 3 in Peninsular Malaysia. Hence, Bank Negara Malaysia in JB serves as one of their maintained branches in Malaysia.

Address: Jalan Bukit Timbalan, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Tel: +607 – 225 7888

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