Attractions

The sights in Johor Bahru are few, but there is an interesting museum inside the old istana (palace). The Royal Abu Bakar Museum, also called the Istana Bakar, is a pretty royal palace built by Sultan Abu Bakar in 1866. Inside, you can see the royal collection of international treasures, costumes, historical documents, fine art from the family collection, and relics of the sultanate. It's at Jalan Tun Dr Ismail (tel. 07/223-0555; adults US$7, children 11 and under US$3; Sat-Thurs 9am-4pm). This museum charges admission in U.S. dollars; when you purchase your ticket, the ticket counter will convert the fee to Malaysian ringgit, according to the day's exchange rate, to be paid in local currency. The saracenic architecture of the Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim (State Secretariat Building) on Jalan Abdul Ibrahim makes it appear more ancient than it is -- it was built in 1940.