An old royal zoo
Begun in 1928 for the Sultan.
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One of the oldest zoos in Malaysia, begun in 1928 as the Sultan of Johor's private royal menagerie and opened to the public in 1962; it is the only zoo in the country run by a state government. It covers about twelve and a half hectares, about a kilometre from central Johor Bahru, next to the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque. The zoo closed for three years of refurbishment and reopened in 2024, with upgrades still under way. It holds more than a hundred species, among them Malayan tigers, lions, hippos, Asian elephants, orangutans, camels, crocodiles and many birds. It is small and easy to walk, suited to a short family outing. Entry for foreign visitors is about thirty ringgit, much less for Malaysians, bought on the official ticket site or at the gate. Come in the morning, when the animals are more active and the heat gentler; an hour and a half to two hours is enough. Pair it with the neighbouring Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque in one morning.
Begun in 1928 for the Sultan.
Reopened in 2024.
A small, easy zoo for families.
Next to the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, about 1 km from the city centre
Sultan Abu Bakar State MosqueThe official mosque of the state of Johor, and one of the most beautiful and unu2 minutes walk
KotaJail (Old Johor Bahru Prison)The old Johor Bahru Prison, built in 1883 and one of the oldest in Malaysia, has9 minutes walk
Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage MuseumA small museum in an old multi-storey shophouse on Jalan Ibrahim, in the heart o15 minutes walk
Old Chinese Temple and Tan Hiok Nee StreetOne of the oldest structures in Johor Bahru, a small Chinese temple dating from 16 minutes walk
Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass TempleA Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Kali, its walls, pillars and ceilings co19 minutes walkAs a short family outing near the centre, yes, especially with the neighbouring mosque. For a large zoo, Kuala Lumpur's Zoo Negara is bigger.