Adrian ChewWhat are your plans for this coming weekend? If you do not have any plans yet, why not hit the road for Johor? Make your way to Muar, a unique Malaysian secret in Johor. Also known as “Bandar Maharani,” it is well-known for its historical buildings, food, and coffee.
Image credit: Nicholas Chan
Curious about the points of interest you can visit in the town and what food you can enjoy? We’ve rounded up below the top musts in Muar.
1. Have a family picnic and stroll around the Tanjung Emas Park
Image credit: Abdul Rani Abdul Rahim
Tanjung Emas Park is one of the top attractions in Muar. The best time to come here is during the weekends when you get to see what the locals are up to. There are plenty of activities to do while at Tanjung Emas. Among them are fishing, taking a stroll around the park, as well as spending the afternoon enjoying a picnic with friends and family. Enjoy the scenic view of the Muar River while taking snapshots of the surrounding area. Your trip won’t be complete without boarding a boat cruise along the river.
Address: Taman Sri Tanjung, 84000 Muar, Johor, Malaysia
2. Stop at Sultan Ismail Bridge and enjoy the scenic view of Muar River
Image credit: Brandon Lim Lik Wei
This particular bridge is an iconic landmark in Muar. If you’re driving through this stretch, you should stop for a while at the foot of the bridge and admire its unique architecture. It was completed in 1967 and officially opened to the public during the time of Almarhum Sultan Sir Ismail Al-Khalidi ibni Almarhum Sultan Sir Ibrahim Al-Masyhur, the late Sultan of Johor the same year. Initially, it was a toll bridge but after objections by the public, the Malaysian government abolished the toll collection. Now, people can pass freely, connecting more parts of Muar more conveniently.
Address: Jalan Kesang, 84000 Muar, Johor, Malaysia
3. Eat, shop, and relax at Wetex Parade
Image credit: Wetex Parade
If you love to shop, head over to Wetex Parade which is the town’s biggest shopping mall. From shops and restaurants to supermarkets and ATM facilities, this is the one-stop destination for locals and visitors. Escape the heat at this shopping mall while grabbing your essentials and souvenirs. There are various fast food restaurants here, so you’ll get to try local food at very reasonable prices.
Address: 69, Jalan Ali, Pekan Muar, 84000 Muar, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 10am-10pm
4. Satisfy your taste-buds at Sai Kee Kopi 434 Muar, Glutton Street, and Muar Hawker Centre
If you want a more local take on the food scene in this part of Johor, drop in at these popular food stops:
Image credit: Shafaza Zara Syed
Sai Kee Kopi 434 Muar is the place to get yourself a cup of local coffee. Try asking any locals around town, and they’ll likely recommend this coffee shop. Famous for its Elephant Beans coffee, this shop is normally packed during the weekends.
Image credit: Brian chee
The next stop will be Glutton Street (Food Street Jalan Haji Abu). This is where you get to try the town’s speciality otak-otak (oyster omelette) and many other delicacies. Even before you reach the street, you can smell the aroma of otak-otak drawing you close.
Eating seafood in the larger cities can be costly, but at Muar, the seafood is relatively cheaper compared to other cities in Peninsular Malaysia. So fresh and so delicious, you can enjoy them at Bentayan Hawker Center and 99 Hawker Center, which are all located in town.
Sai Kee Kopi 434 Muar
Address: 121, Jalan Maharani, 84000 Muar, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 8.30am-5.30pm
Glutton Street
Address: Jalan Haji Abu, Pekan Muar, 84000 Muar, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 10am-10pm
Bentayan Hawker Center
Address: Jalan Bakri, Taman Sri Emas, 84000 Muar, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 5.30pm-11pm
99 Hawker Center
Address: 28, Jalan Sakeh, Taman Sakeh Baru, 84000 Muar, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 7.30am-12pm
5. Admire the majestic Sultan Ibrahim Jamek Mosque
Image credit: Sham Hardy
Schedule a visit to the Sultan Ibrahim Jamek Mosque, constructed between 1925 and 1930. This is the oldest mosque in Muar and you will be amazed by its intricate architecture. The minarets are truly a sight to behold, so take some time to walk around the mosque and take them all in. The porticoes and balconies are beautifully adorned too. There is a fountain just right outside the mosque, and you’ll want to snap a picture of the magnificent fountain artwork.
Address: Jalan Petri, Taman Sri Tanjung, 84000 Muar, Johor, Malaysia
6. Go hiking, picnicking, and get some fresh air at Gunung Ledang
Image credit: Muhd Syazwan Md Khusaini
Mount Ophir, also known as Gunung Ledang, is another unique Muar attraction among locals and tourists. According to the Malay legend, there was a fairy princess residing at this mountain and the fairy was set to marry Sultan Mahmud Shah. Its English name was given by British cartographers in 1801. There are various waterfalls and parks on-site to explore. If you plan on going hiking, it’s recommended to be up for a bit of a challenge to scale up the mountain. Make sure to book in advance if you want go hiking.
Address: Mount Ophir, 84900, Johor, Malaysia
Price: About RM 1 for adults and RM 0.50 for kids (4-12 years old)
Guide fees: Around RM 140 per day
Climbing fees: About RM 23 for foreign tourists and RM 13 for Malaysians
The town of Muar is a destination worth exploring and the best way to explore Muar is by car, so you can enjoy the food and its various landmarks at your own pace. See you there!
