Pulau Sibu (also known as Sibu Island) is an archipelago with collections of pristine islands offering dazzling blue water and golden beaches.
With peacefulness and tranquillity as main attractions, the island itself offers endless freedom and solitude that makes you linger long after you leave.
Despite taking pleasure in exciting water sports, angling activities and jungle trekking, guests get to experience rural livings and learn their culture in close hand.
Pulau Sibu awaits you to its nature beauty and it guarantees a carefree yet appealing travel experience.
Why Stay In Pulau Sibu?
Most of people living in city couldn’t remember how nature looks like. So, our government are struggling hard to build a green city but what could be better if you truly live in a nature paradise? Pulau Sibu can be your first taste of living in a pristine nature.
In 1993, Pulau Sibu is nominated as Marine Park as there are numerous colourful and attractive coral reefs offshore. Snorkelling is available to have close moments with sea creatures and the coral reefs. Besides, plenty of water sports activities are available to make your stay fun and interesting.
Photo credits: sibuislandresort.com.my
The island offers no roads and transports. Walk or get a boat if you wish to travel around. Restaurants and shops are nowhere to be found. The island has retained its originality to fullest.
Corporate events can be held on the island along the shore. Private beaches are available for team bonding activities with colleagues. Resorts can arrange these activities for guests.
Pulau Sibu is perfect for wedding and honeymoon too! They have been received many couples coming here for an anniversary trip. Lots of seafront chalets are romantically designed for couples. Better than that, the island offers unlimited secluded areas to give total privacy to the couples.
Mersing is not the only gateway to Pulau Sibu. Pulau Sibu can be reached from Tanjung Leman located 72km south of Mersing. However, there is no public ferry service available. The resort you’ll be staying will arrange a boat transfer for you. The journey takes 30 minutes and the return tickets cost RM70.
So far, there is no public transport service offered to Tanjung Leman. Public transport will only send you to Kota Tinggi, the nearest town to Tanjung Leman. After that, you need to continue your journey by taxi.
Now, SGMYTAXI is keen to make your journey smooth and hassle-free. Direct transfer services from any pick-up point are offered by this leading private car company in Singapore.
Their experienced and friendly driver will directly send you to Tanjung Leman safely. You can relax in their comfortable fleets throughout the journey. Booking is available on their website. Click here: Reservation
What To Do In Pulau Sibu
Photo credits: twinbeach.com
For energetic guests, plenty of great activities are offered in Pulau Sibu such as:
Water sports activities: Snorkelling, scuba-diving, swimming, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing and fishing
Plan a visit to johor kelong. At the kelong, you can:
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Gain insight into rural daily life
See how the villagers rear and catch prawns and anchovies
Photo credits: saripacifica.com
Leisurely stroll along the beach is a must on the island. The white fine sands on beach can comforts your feet while you walk. In the evening, watch the stunning sunset over the horizon. Enjoy sunbathing on the beach but you should apply suntan lotion to protect your skin.
Where To Stay In Pulau Sibu
Pulau Sibu offers many exceptional resorts which are maintained to highest standard to welcome guests every year.
Attentive and well-trained staffs are offered to make your stay unforgettable.
Meals are often included in the accommodations fee.
The resort does not open all year round due to monsoon season so kindly check for availability before booking. Resorts on the island include:
1. Rimba Resort
Photo credits: amitravel.my
Appointed as “Travellers’ Choice 2012” and “Certificate of Excellence” by TripAdvisor
Offers 21 well-equipped elegant seafront chalets
Offers over 24 dive sites, training courses for beginner are available
Spa at Bamboo Bliss offers perfect rejuvenation of body and mind
Restaurant and Bar are offered
Opens from annual Chinese New Year to 1st of December
Sibu Island has seasonal charm as it is influenced by monsoon season which is from October to March. Thus, avoid visiting Pulau Sibu during monsoon season as the island is susceptible to dangerous high tide. Besides, most of the resorts closed their doors within this period of times.
June to August would be the best times for visit. The weather is excellent and the coast is clear. There are less rainfalls thus water activities are available at most of the times. Overall, the environment is perfect for a summer vacation and you get to enjoy amazing moments on islands to fullest.
Visit Pulau Sibu in July and you get to see group of sea turtles crawling to shore to lay their eggs. However, any actions that disturb the sea turtles or stealing their eggs are strictly prohibited.
Bookings can be made early even during monsoon season.
Whether is your first time or you’ve been here countless times.
Malacca will make you fall in love all over again with its unique blend of ancient buildings and modern living alongside breathtaking sights!
Malacca is a famous tourist destination with a rich cultural heritage, subsequent to the colonial rule of Portuguese, Dutch and British.
Traditional culture is carried on by the Baba & Nyonya who are descendants of the Chinese delegates of Ming Dynasty where they emigrated from China and settled here.
Don’t worry, we’ve listed 18 top attractions in Malacca that is definitely worth visiting!
Why Malacca is Worth Visiting?
This place is like a mixture of culture, where you can find traces of East countries (China and Japan) and West (Portugal, Spain, England).
Pleasant climate.
Friendly people around.
A lot of unique places to see and visit!
It’s almost impossible to see all the breathtaking places of Malacca in a few days, but you can try. There are 18 places Malacca attractions you must visit! So make a detail “to-do” list before your trip and be ready to have the most wonderful days in your life!
One more tip: searching for Melaka homestay?, discover here ===> 12 Pocket Friend & Unique Design Melaka Homestay
Top 18 Melaka Attractions To Visit
While it’s almost hundreds of interesting places there, there are 18 of them that you just must-see during your trip. If you didn’t see Jonker Street or Melaka River during your visit, you just didn’t see Malacca! So use your time carefully and take the opportunity to become a witness of rich history of Asia.
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1. Malacca Jonker Street
Jonker Street is a center of Chinatown and it’s a huge market, where you can buy everything!
With rich history, a lot of different people, goodness, historical landmarks, cafes, restaurants and attractions, Jonker Street in Malacca City’s Chinatown is a complete delight to walk through.
Even during busy weekdays, this Street is crowded with people and interesting stuff to see and to buy.
Jonker Street Night Market – it’s a real event with live music, the wide array of stalls, polite and friendly hawkers and ubiquitous bargains. Jonker Walk comes to life at nights in full color with a lively party-like atmosphere.
Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum – a collection of three restored houses from the 19th century.
Hard Rock Cafe, which was opened in 2013, it is situated idealistically by the Malacca River.
Mamee Jonker House – the perfect place for parents and children, which offers fun activities for visitors of all ages.
Jonker Street Library, which is decorated with traditional Chinese furniture and has a unique collection of Buddhist literature.
But the best attraction of Jonker Street is, of course, shopping and eating!
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The best places for shopping in Malacca Jonker Street:
Orang Utan House – an art house of Malacca-born Artist Charles Cham. It’s a studio gallery with the brightly painted exterior;
Jonker Gallery is a great place for inexpensive souvenirs to bring back home;
The giant San Shu Gong local produce shop;
Joe’s design – the most-wanted place of everybody, who just in love with hand-made, one-of-a-kind jewellery.
Natural Wellbeing – a shop with a unique collection of beauty products.
Reviews from the tourists:
Tourists are just obsessed with Jonker Street. Like a lot of them say after the trip, it is a great place to go and shop and night life there is just awesome. A lot of them advise to visit modern and classic restaurants, to taste different types of food there and just have a great time!
Location: Jonker Street Night Market, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia. Opening Hours:
Friday to Sunday: 6:00pm – late
2. St. Paul’s Church Malacca
St Paul’s Church is a popular tourist destiny among the people, who are interested in history and rich culture of this country.
History of St. Paul’s Church
The ruins of the ancient church are very popular among tourist and native people of Malaysia. This historic church was built in 1521 and situated at the summit of St. Paul’s Hill. Right now, this Church is a part of the Malacca Museum Complex.
Armless Statue
A marble statue of St. Francis Xavier (built in 1953), which is situated in the complex, has only one arm, and here is why. Stories tell that when the best-known missionary was to be canonized in 1614 the Vatican demanded the right arm (the one Francis used to bless his converts) from the body. So they cut it off and blood appeared even after his death. They say that when the statue was erected, a large tree fell on his right arm.
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Transport
It will be hard to go to the Church using public transport, so think about taxi or go by car, locals would be happy to help you find the way to this famous landmark.
Reviews from the tourists:
People, who already visited St. Paul’s Church highly recommend being aware of a little climb you take and big crowds around this landmark. A lot of them point, that this is a romantic, historical place you will fall in love with.
Location: Jalan Kota, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia.
GPS: https://bit.ly/2GzH5Gh Opening Hours: Daily
Admission Fee: Free
3. Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum
This wonderful living museum was established in 1896 and once was the family home for the Baba Chan family.
This heritage building is a unique blend of cultures, east and west countries and illustrates the lifestyle of the Peranakan at the end of the 19th century.
The original design is influenced both by the European architecture and Eastern traditions and history.
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Reviews from the tourists:
This museum shows a rich side of Malacca and exactly where you can feel and touch the past. Moreover, the museum has very good guides and interesting program. As a lot of tourists say: “Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum is one of the main attractions in Malacca that tourist should not miss.” Cameras inside the museum are prohibited.
Location: 48 & 50, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia. (a street adjacent to the Jonker Walk) Contact: +6 06-283 1273 Opening Hours:
Daily: 10:00am – 1:00pm & 2:00pm – 5:00pm Ticket Price: RM16 (adults), RM11 (children aged 5-12 years old)
4. Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
The most notable landmark of Malacca situated in famous Jonker Street and was built in 1646. This old Chinese Temple considered being the oldest Buddhist place of worship in Malaysia.
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Interesting facts about the Temple:
The temple is dedicated to Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin);
The building was designed by son-in-law of Captain Li, Malacca’s second Chinese captain;
The temple is managed by the same trustees that serve Bukit Cina (significant hillside and burial ground few kilometers away from the town);
Traditional Chinese Opera Theater is directly opposite Cheng Hoon Teng Temple. Next to the Opera’s building is a newly constructed Xianglin temple;
This is a huge black, gold and red statue of the main Goddess of the Temple in the central prayer hall.
Reviews from the tourists:
Among tourists, this Temple is known as “A treasure of Malacca”, “The place you must see” and “A heritage landmark”. This place is open and inviting for everybody and is famous as a first Chinese temple in this country, which is made in a very unique and Malacca-like style.
Location: 25, Jalan Tokong, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +6 06-282 9343 Opening Hours: 7:00am – 7:00pm
Admission Fee: Free
5. Christ Church Malacca
This church was built by Dutch, when they took possession of the country. The most defining structure of Malacca is notable for unique design and history. A picture of a brick-red building with a huge white cross is famous all around the world.
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What do you need to know about this attraction:
The church is located in Church Street, near to Malacca’s Chinatown center.
Christ Church is situated across the bridge from the Jonker Street and it’s almost the most popular sight in the Stadhuys area.
Close to Church are two museums, so you visit three places in a short period of time.
Reviews from the tourists:
This peaceful and historic place welcomes everybody, who wants to spend one day in harmony and to see history with his own eyes. As people say, there are tree services during the day in two languages – English and Chinese.
Location: Jalan Gereja, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +6 06-284 8804 Opening Hours: 9:00am – 5:30pm
Admission Fee: Free
6. Melaka Wonderland Theme Park
Visiting this famous Park and Resort in Melaka is the best way to cool down and have great fun on a hot day in Malaysia. The highlights of this Malacca’s tourist attraction and huge multi zone park are high-speed water slides and thrill rides.
This Theme Park features a whopping two million liters of water.
The water theme park offers 16 different and equally exciting attractions.
The most popular attractions are the Lazy Cum Crazy River, the Big Wave pool, the Adventure Island, Anaconda Twist, The Pendulum slides.
The park is very close to the city center, so it’s not necessary to spend a night there. But if you want to have more than one day of fun, there is a big hotel in this Park you will be comfortable in.
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Reviews from the tourists:
People say, that it’s real fun there and pool security is friendly and do their job well. But you need to remember, that tickets are a little bit expensive and there are a lot of people during the holidays and weekends.
Location: Lot PT 17178, Lebuh Ayer Keroh, Hang Tuah Jaya, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +6 06-231 3333 / +6 06-231 1119 Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Friday: 11:00am – 7:00pm
Saturday to Sunday: 9:00am – 7:00pm
Closed on: Monday except during Malaysia public holidays & Malaysia school holidays Ticket Price:
Weekdays: RM33.20 (adults), RM26.05 (children above 90 cm up to 12 years old)
Weekends: RM37.90 (adults), RM32.00 (children above 90 cm up to 12 years old)
Non-Malaysian: RM45.00 (adults), RM37.90 (children above 90 cm up to 12 years old)
7. Maritime Museum & Naval Museum Malacca
The Maritime Museum is a huge Portuguese ship, which sank near the Malacca. It’s 34 meters high and this ship-museum will take you hundreds of years ago.
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What you can see in Maritime Museum & Naval Museum Malacca:
The Maritime Museum is a great place for people, who love history, sea and all, that connecting with it.
For ship fans, there are a big collection of different ship models that are on display at the museum.
Others can find exhibits of porcelain, silk, textile and spices used by the seamen of the past. And you can just enjoy the atmosphere of sea travels, ancient ship and old times.
Transport
The best way to get to the Maritime Museum is by car or hiring a cab. Also, it’s located just ahead of the Stadthuys, so it’s better to go by foot there and enjoy all local shops, museums, galleries, churches.
Reviews from the tourists:
All as one say: This museum inside the old ship is worth visiting!
Location: Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia. Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9:00am – 5:30pm
Friday to Sunday: 9:00am – 9:00pm Ticket Price:
Malaysian: RM5 (adults), RM3 (children)
Non-Malaysian: RM10 (adults), RM6 (children)
8. Melaka River
The Melaka river divides Malacca town into few parts and goes straight through the middle of it.
So just take the river cruise and you will see the beauty of the town from the inside! During this 45 minutes ride you’ll see famous historical buildings, churches, old warehouse and villages.
Address and open hours:
The departure of the ship is on Muara Jetty, close to famous Maritime Museum. The cruise is available every day, without any holidays, from 9:00am to 11:30pm
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Reviews from the tourists:
As it known, Malacca began from this river as a fishing village. So this cruise shows the history of the town and its unique beauty. Tourists advise to take 3 tours in different time:
one during daylight to enjoy old buildings:
another one before sunset to enjoy colors
the third one in darkness in order to enjoy lights and breeze.
9. Dutch Square
Feel the time travel back to colonial era at Dutch Square – where you can find the Melaka’s surviving parts after the war. According to the experts, Dutch Square is believed to be the oldest Dutch building ever existed in the East.
Distinguished by red classic buildings, this historical place serves as the prominent landmark in Malacca. With an elegant fountain dotted in the centre and surrounded by colourful trishaws, you will find endless tourists here every day, trying their very best to capture the best angle of Dutch Square.
A visit to Dutch Square is rewarded with great historical knowledge. There are renovated galleries, museums and churches around. Do check out the Stadthuys in Dutch Square which used to be the Dutch governors’ official residence. Currently, it houses numerous museums displaying the history of Malacca in the most interesting way.
Attraction Highlight:
Very near to various historical sites in the state such as The Christ Church, Youth Museum and Art Gallery.
You can hire a trishaw to tour around the major tourist destination in Malacca.
Few minutes’ walk to Jonker Street.
Location: Jalan Gereja, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia. Opening Hours:
Daily: 12:00am – 12:00pm Ticket Price: Free
10. Melaka Straits Mosque
Built on stilts over the sea, Melaka Straits Mosque is a modern designed mosque perfectly blends with both Malaysian and Middle Eastern mosque architecture. Situated on Pulau Melaka, the was opened on 24th November 2006 whereby the opening ceremony was done by the Sultan of Malaysia at the time.
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The grand main dome follows the Middle Eastern mosque style while the turrets are similar to the rooflines in typical Malaysia’s mosque. While for the minaret, it has an unusual and striking design and the walls of the mosque are fully decorated with beautiful glass window.
During high tide, it looks exactly like it’s floating on the ocean. If you come here in the evening, the view is so stunning that it surely wipes away all stresses of the day. Due to the scenic view, the mosque also attracts lots of photographers throughout the year.
Attraction Highlight:
Offer a panorama view of the Straits of Malacca.
Non-muslims are welcomed inside to admire the contemporary Islamic architecture.
11. Freeport A’Famosa Outlet Village
This open air Dutch colonial era styled shopping village is the biggest shopping outlet located at Alor Gajah.
It consists of more than 70 international brands offered at superb prices.
Freeport A’Famosa is located just outside A’Famosa Resort Malacca and is just on your way to Malacca’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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What you can visit in Freeport A’Famosa Outlet Village:
The village houses a pool with miniature geysers and a large windmill. For the kids, there are carousel rides, strollers and tricycles to keep them occupied.
Popular brands will offer discounts ranging from 30% to 70% depending on the season. Among the listed brands are Nike, Clarks, Hush Puppies, Forever 21, Versace, Elle, Playboy and many more.
Food-wise, there’s a food courts selling local and international food, Pappa Rich café, Marry brown fast food restaurant so you can’t go hungry here.
While you’re around Malacca, Freeport A’Famosa Outlet Village is a must place to satisfy your shopping desires with attractive deals.
Location: Jalan Kemus, Simpang Empat, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +6 06-552 8961 Opening Hours: 10:00am – 10:00pm
12. The Shore Sky Tower
For a near 360° bird’s eye view of Malacca city, a visit to the 43 storied Sky Tower will give you a view of 50 kilometers at all direction.
It is just a short walk away from the UNESCO World Heritage district and it’s located beside the river bank facing Morten village.
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What you can do in The Shore Sky Tower:
The Sky Tower is a great place to take a scenic landscape picture of Malacca or a family photo with a breath taking view.
The Sky Tower can be accessed through the 42nd floor of the skyscraper.
From the Sky Tower, facing inland you can see Gunung Ledang. By facing to the sea, you can easily see the Straits of Melaka and even Pulau Besar and other small islands.
There is a glass ledge for those who aren’t afraid of heights, where you can see the view of the ground and have your picture taken by a professional photographer.
The Shore Sky Tower is the best place to enjoy a panoramic view of Malacca city be it during the day or during the night.
Location: Tower 1, Level 42, The Shore Shopping Gallery, 193, Pinggiran @ Sungai Melaka, Jalan Persisiran Bunga Raya, 75100 Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +6 06-288 3833 Opening Hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 9:00am – 11:00pm
Friday, Saturday & Public Holiday: 9:00am – 12:00am Ticket Price: RM25 (adults), RM18 (children aged 3-12 years old) Website
13. A’Famosa Fort
This historical fort was built by the Portuguese in 1511 after they defeated the Malacca Sultanate. On 1641, it fell to the Dutch and subsequently in the early 19th century to the British.
The fort was to be destroyed in 1806, but was spared by the founder of Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles.
The fort is just a 5 minutes’ walk from Christ Church. It is a very peaceful place away from the busy-ness of Malacca city.
Interesting facts about A’Famosa Fort:
The remains is the gate house Porta de Santiago which is part of A’Famosa fort is what you can visit and see today.
The remains of the fort are well preserved and white stone carvings which are still readable, the canon placed in front of the entrance is a replica.
The Portuguese, Dutch architecture still looks well preserved despite its age.
Wooden walkways and bridges are laid carefully so you can safely enjoy your walk inside the historical ruins.
Location: Jalan Parameswara, Bandar Hilir, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +6 06-552 0888 Opening Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm Ticket Price: RM2 per entry
14. Pantai Klebang
Ever wonder where to get a piece of dessert in Malaysia? You don’t have to go so far as Malacca has its own dessert at Pantai Klebang.
Klebang dessert is a reclaimed land made by Malacca developers and years of land excavation placed at the edge of Pantai Klebang resulted in this unique looking desert.
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What you can do on Pantai Klebang:
It looks exotic like the Gobi desert, the perfect place to have some sand sliding fun and desert hill hike.
Before entering the area, be sure to use at 4×4 as the terrain is slippery and can sink your tires deep into the sand. It might take 15-20 minutes’ walk on foot to reach the desert.
This unique desert scenery is perfect for a wedding photo-shoot as well as a unique family photo. The best recommended time to come is before the sun rises or before the sun sets.
As in a real desert, it might get quite hot if you decide to stay for the day, so make sure to have umbrellas, sun blocks, snacks and plenty of drinking water.
Location: Pantai Klebang, Melaka, Malaysia.
15. Alto Sky Lounge @ Hatten Hotel
Looking for a romantic rooftop dinner after an eventful day at Malacca? Alto Sky Lounge is the place to be to witness the skyline of Malacca while fine dining.
The view of Malacca’s coast is stunning, while the interior of the lounge is luxuriously comfortable and grand.
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What you can taste and enjoy at Alto Sky Lounge in Hatten Hotel:
Unique fine dining cuisine such as the Salmon Fume Boursin Marcotte, Atlantis Black Cod in Truffle Abalone White Consommé, Sun-God Poseidon Nage Hokkaido Molluso, and Thai Tamarind Nectar Sorbet are among the many dishes served.
As you enjoy the good food, great music graces the Alto. The live band performs professionally which grants a very rewarding entertainment for the evening.
Highly recommend this venue for romantic dates, business dinner or just catching up with mates over excellent food, wine and music.
The rooftop dining experience overlooking the city skyline is breath-taking.
Location: Level 22 (Roof top), Hatten Hotel, Hatten Square, Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +6 06-221 9558 Opening Hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 4:00pm – 12:00am
Fri, Sat, Eve of Public Holidays & Public Holidays: 4:00pm – 1:00am Website | Facebook
16. Upside Down House Malacca
A replica modern Malaysian house which is unique because everything inside is up-side down. This exhibition is quite a new addition to the normal attractions in Malacca.
As in a normal sized house, the house is made up of five areas, the living room, kitchen, master bedroom, children’s room and bath room. Everything is inverted.
What you can do in Upside Down House Malacca:
This is where you can let your photography creativity set the limits, just by fixing the right pose and photo angle, you can have a photo that will blow your mind away.
It is also a nice place to have a fun family photo-shoot and even out of the box pre-wedding photos. Highly recommended to have a visit while you’re in Malacca city.
Location: G12 & G14, Jalan PM 5, Plaza Mahkota, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +6 011-1072 2260 Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 10:00am – 7:00pm
Friday to Sunday & Public Holidays: 10:00am – 9:00pm Ticket Price:
Malaysian: RM15 (Adult), RM10 (Child)
Non-Malaysian: RM20 (Adult), RM16 (Child) Facebook
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17. Machap Walk
Machap Baru Street Walk is located in the small district town of Alor Gajah, Malacca. The town is located just 32km away from the city of Malacca.
Machap Walk unites all the famous dishes of Malaysia in one place. The street is filled with every race in Malaysia which shows the 1 Malaysia spirit.
Do not miss the opportunity to go to Machap Walk, open during the weekends if you happen to be in Malacca.
What you can do and eat at Machap Baru Street Walk:
Machap Walk’s main attraction is the bizarre and exotic food. To those who are looking for special type of meat such as wild boar, deer or even snakes, well this is the place to be.
Street hawker food such as the fried kuey teow, wantan, panda bun and bihun mee cake are among the best-selling. Other types of food offered at Machap are, roasted duck, laksa, dim sum, sambal petai and many more.
Special for the meat enthusiast, Alie 7 Corner Aneka Soup serves beef, mutton and chicken soup. There is also the famous Malaysian nasi lemak.
One of the unique attractions at Malacca is the Menara Taming Sari. It is the only revolving tower in Malaysia. It measures 110 meters in height and its revolving tower offers a wide and far landscape scene overlooking Malacca city.
Menara Taming Sari is located nearby Bandar Hilir at Jalan Merdeka. If you happen to be at Dataran Pahlawan Megamall and Mahkota Parade Mall it is just a short 3 minutes’ walk away.
The tower’s name is taken after a famous keris, which is a magical weapon belonging to legendary Malay Admiral named Hang Tuah.
The design of the structure of the tower takes on the shape of the weapon, while the highest point of the tower resembles its hilt.
What you can do at Menara Taming Sari:
The tower can carry up to 66 people per session which will revolves as it ascends from the ground level till the highest level of the tower. The whole session takes about 7 minutes.
It is recommended to have a ride as you can see the magnificent landscape of Malacca city, including the historical sites, such as Independence Memorial Building, Flor De La Mar Ship, St.Paul’s Hill, Samudera Museum and the beautiful blue Straits of Malacca.
Location: Jalan Merdeka, Plaza Mahkota, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +6 06-288 1100 Opening Hours:
Daily: 10:00am – 11:00pm Ticket Price:
Malaysian: RM17 (Adult), RM11 (Child below 12 years old)
Non-Malaysian: RM23 (Adult), RM15 (Child below 12 years old)
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.
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 19th 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.
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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.
In August 25, 1963, Johor Bahru post office was opened with the opening ceremony performed by the late king of Johor – Sultan Ismail. Before that, the building was a hotel which had been serving guests for years.
Address: JKR 2521, Jalan Dato Onn, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Tel: +607 – 224 4233
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