Danga Bay

Located along the banks of the Straits of Johor is Danga Bay, previously known as Lido beach. This is a popular spot for relaxing, and on clear days, you can even catch a good view of Singapore. However, using a pair of binoculars would be even better, as it's quite a distance from Johor Bahru.

Danga Bay stretches for about 3 km., and is actually the waterfront of Johor Bahru. To view the causeway that links Johor to Singapore, try a boat ride. However, you are not allowed to go beyond 300 m. from the banks of Johor Bahru.

Optionally, you can also go on a cruise along the straits up to Kg. Melayu. On this trip, you can see the kelong(huge fish trap built on stilts) and visit fish farms or aquaculture centers where sea bass, garoupa and mussels are bred.

Orchid Valley

Located in the village of Kangkar Pulai, 30 km. northwest of Johor Bahru, Orchid Valley is a 40-hactare property at the foot of Gunung Pulai (Mount Pulai). Orchid Valley is reputedly the largest tropical orchid farm in the world. It has beautiful and exotic orchids from over 80 varieties. It is also internationally recognised, with some hybrids registered with the World Orchid Society in London.

Since its opening in February 1996, the Orchid Valley has become a popular attraction among tourists and orchid lovers especially from Singapore. Here, visitors can buy cut flowers or potted plants of exotic orchid breeds at very reasonable prices. The cool, fresh air and the scenic views with undulating hills in the backdrop are a welome change for urban visitors.

Dataran Bandaraya

State Secretariat Building

Located on a hill called Bukit Timbalan, the building was erected way back in 1940. The idea to build the Saracenic character edifice was mooted by Sultan Ibrahim to symbolise Johor's progress during that time.

Built by local craftsmen under the supervision of a European architect, the building blends the cosmopolitan architecture of Renaissance style with an overlay of Anglo-Malay influence.

Today, the square tower of the massive building still dominates the Johor Bahru skyline. Probably the most interesting looking structure in all of Johor, it houses the State Secretariat as well as the other departments of the State Government.

The Royal Mausoleum

The royal burial grounds has long been the final resting place for the Johor Royalty. Situated along Jalan Mahmodiah, the mausoleum lies a short distance from Mahmodiah Village and the Hyatt Regency Johor Bahru.

Even from afar, you can see that the mausoleum's architecture is aesthetically pleasing and of a unique design. The surroundings is peaceful and serene and properly attired and well meaning visitors are allowed to walk through the area

Causeway

The Causeway links Malaysia and Singapore across the Johor Straits. It was completed in 1924 after construction works that took four years. During World War II, in 1942, part of the causeway was deliberately destroyed by the British Armed Forces in hopes of halting the advancement of the Japanese army which was heading south towards Singapore. But the Japanese army quickly restored the causeway and made its way into Singapore nevertheless. Today, the causeway resumes its role as a major link for road and rail transport into Singapore, as well as providing a path for communication links and water supply between the two cities. The Causeway is 1,056 m. long and extends to a depth of 23 m below the water level.

Johor Art Gallery

The Johor Art Gallery houses various art collections, artefacts and many items closely related to Johor's Malay heritage since its establishment in 1993. In 1999 however, the YAB Menteri Besar Johor announced that the Johor Art Gallery would also be the Arts and Cultural Centre for the State of Johor. Restoration efforts were undertaken to create an art gallery worthy to be known as one of the best in Malaysia.

A walk into the building proves to be an experience by itself. Strong colonial influences scream out in the design and architectural details of this 2-storey building. True to Malay customs, shoes are prohibited in the main display area downstairs; therefore one is required to peruse the displays and paintings barefooted. The main display area greets the visitor with beautiful works of art by various talented Johor-born artists. From paintings to sculptures and many other mediums of artworks are displayed here. The undeniable shared pride among the artists here is their apparent love for Johor's rich, cultural heritage that is still very much alive today. Favourite topics of interest includes the kuda kepang, the ghazal, beautiful calligraphy pieces. Fishing scenes is also prevalent. Tranquil pictures of small fishing boats tied to poles along coastal areas, fisher-folks coming home from the sea with their daily bounties, and many other eye pleasing, soul soothing works of art.

The upper level also showcases many beautiful art pieces, such as two ancient wooden doors with ornate carvings hung on the walls as you are walking up to the second floor. One can't help but stop to gaze at the fine craftsmanship eternally embedded on these two doors. Walking along the upper floor, you can also take a glimpse of the lower floor from the middle section, as there is an open space area from upstairs where a beautiful low hanging chandelier casting a soft yellow hues throughout the entire room.

MAWAR House Handicraft Center

The existing MAWAR (Majlis Wanita Johor or Johor Ladies Council) house was lavishly restored to preserve the rich architectural design of this heritage of Johor. The completed building is a stunning, yet functional structure that blends well with the new majectic Mawar Building.

The MAWAR House Handicraft Center offers hand-drawn and dyed batik cloths, batik paintings, straw mats and other goods for sale, making it a one-stop handicraft centre destined to be one of Johor's leading tourist attractions. The village is the place to go for a fascinating demonstration of traditional songket weaving, batik silk painting and the art of fine pottery.

Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque

The Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is regarded as one of the most beautiful mosques in Malaysia, with its amazing combination of Western neo-classical and Islamic architecture. 

This mosque can accommodate about 2,000 worshippers at any one time. The mosque is strategically located on top of a hill on Jalan Abu Bakar, overlooking the Straits of Tebrau.

Sultan Abu Bakar mosque was named after the late Sultan Abu Bakar, the "Father of Modern Johor", who laid the foundation stone in 1892. Construction of the mosque was completed in 1900, a few years after his death. Today, the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is listed as a protected heritage monument by the Department of Museums and Antiquities.

Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Museum

The museum occupies the Istana Besar (Grand Palace) which was specially commissioned in 1864 by the Father of Modern Johor, Sultan Abu Bakar. Completed in 1866, the Grand Palace incorporated some of the Sultan's creative ideas in its architecture.

In the early 1990s, Johor's present ruler, His Majesty Sultan Iskandar, decided that members of the public should be given the opportunity to view the Royal Family's collection in a proper museum setting. His Majesty consented for the Grand Palace to be converted into a museum but concurrently it still serves the traditional royal and state ceremonial functions. Sultan Iskandar officially declared the museum open on May 11, 1990.

Housed within the museum are vast arrays of treasures, works of art, antiquities and furniture belonging to the Royal Family. The picture gallery features past and present rulers of the Sultanate and their consorts. There is also a large collection of their personal memorabilia, an impressive array of Orders, Decorations and Medals in the gallery.

Other rooms within the Grand Palace display silverware, crystalware, gold and silver jewelry, priceless vases, furniture, traditional Malay weapons, the State Regalia, a numismatic collection, silver trophies and other family treasures within their natural setting.