Top 13 Attractions in Muar (2024)
After Johor Bahru, Muar is the largest town in the state of Johor. Formerly known as Bandar Maharani Bandar Diraja, this royal town of Johor has something for everyone, whether you are searching for something casual or a more enjoyable experience. With so many places to visit, here are some of the best attractions in Muar.
1. Uptown Maharani
During the day, the large-scale murals and street art available here are must-see. While during the night, it transforms into a night market with various products and services such as preloved clothing, henna tattoos, and more can be found here. Colourful umbrellas are also suspended over the street, nearly identical to the ones in Concubine Lane in Ipoh, Perak, making this one of the perfect attractions in Muar for Instagram pictures.
2. Tanjung Emas Park
Another one of the many beautiful attractions in Muar that you should visit is Tanjung Emas Park. This park is situated at the Muar river mouth, and you can go on a short and sweet river cruise along the riverbanks to feel the cold wind blowing on your face and admire the lovely scenery. You can see the locals coming here for a jog or participate in other leisure activities during the evening.
This spacious park also has a children’s playground, ideal for a family outing. The place is brightened at night by dazzling lights and LED toys played by children, livening up the atmosphere. You can also find some lovely couples who have come to watch the sunset among the crowd.
3. Nasuha Herbs and Spice Farm
Nasuha Herbs and Spice Farm is a farm that produces spices under the label Mak Siti. The 3,200-acre farm is home to more than 150 species of spices and herbs worldwide. It is also the most significant herb farm in Southeast Asia. Almost half of the spices and herbs on this farm are imported from Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Visitors can also enjoy a meal here and choose from the range of unique menus available at this restaurant, such as herbal mutton biryani, asam pedas mutton, herbal soup, and more. Apart from the restaurant, recreational facilities and activities such as jungle trekking, obstacle course, and kayaking make Nasuha Herbs and Spice Farm the perfect place for an exciting and educational day trip.
4. Sultan Ibrahim Jamek Mosque (Masjid Jamek Sultan Ibrahim)
Sultan Ibrahim Jamek Mosque was built in 1927. It is a mosque with British influence architecture situated along Jalan Petri, close to the mouth of the Muar River. Besides being a worship place for Muslims, it also appears as a mansion with a majestic aesthetic.
The mosque’s design is classical in style with impressive Middle Eastern features. This Muar attraction has an elegant four-story tall minaret made with European and Turkish elements and lovely Palladian Venetian windows. The entire mosque is painted mainly white, with light blue stripes to add a pop of colour.
5. Muar Clock Tower
The Muar Clock Tower, located right across the Sultan Ismail Bridge, is an English-style clock tower. This Muar attraction is a three-tiered tower with two square colonnades at the bottom. The entire structure is painted in a sky blue and white palette resembling Sultan Ibrahim Jamek Mosque.
6. Galeri Darurat Bukit Kepong
As one of the historical attractions in Muar, visiting here will leave you feeling sentimental and melancholy, making you appreciate the peace that we are now enjoying even more. Galeri Darurat Bukit Kepong exhibits historical artefacts from the Bukit Kepong incident. It tells the narrative of police officers and their families who gave their lives during the Malayan Emergency in 1950.
A detailed and educational story on the conflict between police officers and communist terrorists that happened in the day can be found here.
7. Muar Nan Hai Fei Lai Temple
Muar Nan Hai Fei Lai Temple is a Buddhist temple dedicated to The Goddess of Compassion, Bodhisattva Guan Yin. It is located opposite the bus terminal in Muar. Worshippers from different states will visit the temple on the birthday of the Goddess Guan Yin every year. This temple is a great place to recharge your spiritual batteries while putting your soul at ease.
8. The Great Mural of Muar
If you are looking for one of the most aesthetic attractions in Muar, you should visit The Great Mural of Muar. Most murals here depict the Malaysian lifestyle, culture, and history. The artwork portraying traditional games such as teng-teng, congkak, and batu seremban represents Malaysian childhood before the digital realm. It will undoubtedly seem like a nostalgia trip for millennials.
You will also find the famous and massive mural of two loving sisters on Arab Street by Russian muralist Julia Volchkova.
9. Bukit Kepong Police Station Muar
This police station was built to replace the original building which was burnt down during the communist attack in the 1950s. This building holds so much information about the historical events that happened in the past, shaping Malaysia to be what it is today. You can understand more about it by going through the galleries and short videos that are found here.
10. Tanjung Ketapang Park (Taman Tanjung Ketapang)
The second park lined after the Tanjung Emas Park, is another recreational park that outlines the shore of the Johor Beach. You can take a stroll or picnic here shaded by the lush green trees.
11. Leka Beach (Pantai Leka)
A calm beach lined up by fishing boats and an opportunity to catch fishermen in action. Not only that, you will be able to see one of the prettiest sunsets here.
12. Mount Ophir (Gunung Ledang)
There is a famous Malay fable of a princess with magical powers that live in this mountain, but the forest is also famous for another reason. It is home to many unique and rare plants that could only be found here. Many people who hiked up the mountain also said that it is as challenging as climbing up Mount Kinabalu, another famous mountain from Sabah.
13. Donhu Jurassic Garden Muar
A Jurassic Park inspired garden in Muar with plenty of dinosaur figurines. Ideal for families as it not only has dinosaurs, but it also has theme park rides and a small bird aviary.
This town is a destination that you should include in your trip schedule since the many aesthetic, historical, and natural attractions in Muar will astonish you. The greenery at Nasuha Herbs and Spice Farm will help you to reduce your stress level, while other activities there will provide an adrenaline rush. On the other hand, Masjid Jamek Sultan Ibrahim Muar and the mural arts are the most significant aesthetic appeal.