#4 The Johor Old Temple

On my first visit to Johor weeks ago, I had no idea what to expect from this southern state of Peninsular Malaysia. Legoland, Singaporean-packed shopping malls and busy customs were just some of the general ideas I stumbled upon before the trip, and then there's the historically significant Johor Old Temple.

Surrounded by soaring skyscrapers, the Johor Old Temple plays a pivotal role in representing the provenience of the region's five Chinese dialect groups: Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Teochew and Cantonese.

Built during the 19th Century, the Chinese shrine hosts five deities that are worshiped by the dialect group the deity represents respectively. While the architecture has undergone a major renovation as an approach in restoring the temple's former state of glory, most of the priceless relics were retained for their cultural value.

Behind the temple lies a gallery walkway that chronicles the story of the temple, the historical period the temple got through and various religious items and artifacts passed down from the past.

Besides that, the temple also play host to the annual Johor Old Temple Chingay called Parade of Deities. The parade takes place every year in the first lunar month of 20-23rd and has attracted tourists from all over the country to join in for the holy revelry.

The Johor Old Temple
Lot 653, Jalan Trus,
80000 Johor Bahru,
Johor Darul Takzim.
Opening hours: 7.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m. (Daily)
Tel: 07-2762550