Walk out of Johor Bahru City Square, survive the traffic, resist the smell of freshly baked pastries and continue towards Jalan Trus. Among the hotels, shopping centres and modern office towers, you will suddenly spot a small red-and-white building that looks as though it accidentally travelled forward in time.
Welcome to the Johor Ancient Temple (柔佛古庙)—one of the oldest buildings in Johor Bahru and a fascinating reminder that JB existed long before cafés, massage shops and weekend shopping crowds arrived.
Address: Lot 653, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor.
Nearby Itenery: Impian Emas Night Market JB (金山园夜市): Thursday Food Guide, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee JB: Heritage Food, Cafés & Old-Town Charm, SKS Mall JBCC: Johor Bahru’s New Shopping & Lifestyle Hotspot
Established during the 1870s, the temple is linked to influential Chinese community leader Tan Hiok Nee and other early community figures. This means it has stood in central JB for around 150 years, quietly watching horse carts become cars, small trading streets become shopping districts and Singapore day-trippers become experts at comparing ringgit prices.
More Than Just a Temple
The temple was not built only as a place for prayer. Early Chinese settlers in Johor Bahru came from five major dialect communities: Teochew, Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka and Hainanese.
Instead of everyone building separate spiritual headquarters and arguing over whose incense smoke was more powerful, the communities placed their respective deities under one roof. The temple became an important symbol of unity, cooperation and shared identity among JB’s early Chinese population.
Step inside and the noisy city seems to lower its volume. Traditional altars, hanging lanterns, incense burners and old artefacts create an atmosphere that no modern shopping mall—or expensive air freshener—can reproduce.
Why Tourists Keep Coming
Its convenient location is one major reason for its popularity. Visitors can reach it on foot from the CIQ, City Square and Komtar JBCC, making it an easy cultural stop between eating, shopping and wondering where all their ringgit disappeared.
The temple is especially important during the annual Johor Bahru Chingay celebration. Its five deities are carried through the city in a colourful procession featuring traditional performances and large crowds of worshippers and spectators.
Before modern pipes and malls surrounded Jalan Trus, water from wells like this supported worshippers and the community. Today, it stands as a humble heritage feature, reminding visitors how daily life once flowed here.
Will City Square’s Redevelopment Affect It?
Johor Bahru City Square is currently undergoing a major revamp, with some stores temporarily suspending operations as upgrading work moves through the mall. In the short term, construction barriers and shop closures could reduce the number of casual visitors wandering into Jalan Trus.
However, the longer-term effect may be positive. A refreshed City Square could attract more visitors and encourage them to explore the surrounding heritage district—not just rush in, buy groceries and return to Singapore.
Nearby SKS City Mall JBCC offers a more polished mix of curated retail, dining and lifestyle experiences. Despite its refined image, its tenant selection is broader than purely high-end luxury brands. It may attract shoppers with greater spending power while giving tourists another reason to remain in central JB.
Malls may come with brighter lights and stronger air-conditioning, but the Johor Ancient Temple offers something they cannot manufacture: 150 years of faith, community and living history.
