Istana Jahar
Istana Jahar
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87 reviews
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jeduweb
Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Canada24,373 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
A visit worth the trip.
We visited this museum yesterday February 4, 2024 in the late afternoon. The fare was 4 ringgit per person. Several photos that we offer have surely already been published by others and we are sorry. It would have taken too long to check each photo already published to compare them with ours. The length of the visit depends on how many signs and posters you read. Everything is well laid out and displayed on two floors. We recommend this tour which you can do in less than an hour on average I would say.
Review written on February 5, 2024 in Kota Bahru, Malaysia.
We visited this museum yesterday February 4, 2024 in the late afternoon. The fare was 4 ringgit per person. Several photos that we offer have surely already been published by others and we are sorry. It would have taken too long to check each photo already published to compare them with ours. The length of the visit depends on how many signs and posters you read. Everything is well laid out and displayed on two floors. We recommend this tour which you can do in less than an hour on average I would say.
Review written on February 5, 2024 in Kota Bahru, Malaysia.
Written February 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sid5515
Bangi, Malaysia1,209 contributions
Mar 2022
One of the tourist site at the heart of Kota Bharu, we take chance to visit the museum since it quite closed to Masjid Muhammadi and Pasar Siti Khadijah, where the later are more flocked by tourists. It was actual royal palace and converted to the museum, and is good to get knowledge about Kelantanese royal culture, exhibiting on the clothing, weddings, and other royalty ceremonies. The entrance fee also is cheap for RM2 per person.
Written February 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo-Ann
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia17,011 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
I loved this museum. Only thing is we are not allowed to take photos inside. Entrance fee is RM2 per person. The museum is rich with all royal traditions and cultures. Good to see and read. Each culture has its room/section so it is very well organized. Do visit.
Written September 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wildcat7400
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia1,168 contributions
Sep 2020
Our 1st tourist attraction of the day after checking-in would be the Istana Jahar. The word “istana” means “palace”. It was built in 1887 during the reign of Sultan Muhammad II for his grandson, Long Kundur Bendahara. When Long Kundur became the Sultan, he had made Istana Jahar his residence. However, the palace was named “Istana Jahar” only during the reign of his successor, Sultan Muhammad IV when he came back from visiting Singapore & made repairs to the palace. The name “Jahar” was taken from a tree which grew on the palace grounds. Upon Sultan Muhammad IV’s death, his son became the ruler & made Istana Jahar his residence. He was the last ruler to use Istana Jahar as the official Royal residence.
Istana Jahar is now used as the Royal Kelantan Customs Museum. It is open daily except for Friday from 8:30 am – 4:45 pm. There is an entrance fee of RM2 for Malaysian adults & RM1 for children. International visitors are charged RM4 & RM2, respectively. Visitors are told to take off their shoes before entering. And there’s a huge carriage In front of the entrance for that Instagram photo.
The Museum showcases the many Royal ceremonies practiced in earlier times. Some of these ceremonies may be against the Islamic teachings which is ironic especially since Kelantan is supposed to be the most religious state. Amongst the rituals include those relating to weddings, child birth, circumcisions, head-shaving & bathing. Various types of textiles, jewellery & brass items were also on display. A huge balcony lies on the 1st floor. Accordingly, that is where the Royal family would convene before any major events.
At the back of the palace, there is another building featuring weapons like the keris, the Malay traditional weapon. There were also canoes positioned under the building. A gazebo which is called the “Royal Platform” was built in front of Istana Jahar to perform the ceremonial bathing before royal weddings & circumcisions.
While there was a plethora of information given, it was most embarrassing to note the many grammatical & spelling errors in the write-ups.
Overall, it was quite an eye-opener to a local tourist like myself regarding the Kelantanese customs & ceremonies.
Istana Jahar is now used as the Royal Kelantan Customs Museum. It is open daily except for Friday from 8:30 am – 4:45 pm. There is an entrance fee of RM2 for Malaysian adults & RM1 for children. International visitors are charged RM4 & RM2, respectively. Visitors are told to take off their shoes before entering. And there’s a huge carriage In front of the entrance for that Instagram photo.
The Museum showcases the many Royal ceremonies practiced in earlier times. Some of these ceremonies may be against the Islamic teachings which is ironic especially since Kelantan is supposed to be the most religious state. Amongst the rituals include those relating to weddings, child birth, circumcisions, head-shaving & bathing. Various types of textiles, jewellery & brass items were also on display. A huge balcony lies on the 1st floor. Accordingly, that is where the Royal family would convene before any major events.
At the back of the palace, there is another building featuring weapons like the keris, the Malay traditional weapon. There were also canoes positioned under the building. A gazebo which is called the “Royal Platform” was built in front of Istana Jahar to perform the ceremonial bathing before royal weddings & circumcisions.
While there was a plethora of information given, it was most embarrassing to note the many grammatical & spelling errors in the write-ups.
Overall, it was quite an eye-opener to a local tourist like myself regarding the Kelantanese customs & ceremonies.
Written November 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mars1d
Bongawan, Malaysia835 contributions
Dec 2015 • Solo
Istana Jahar, located near the Istana Balai Besar was among the palaces that attract contained in Kota Bharu. Even Istana Jahar has also started construction during the reign of Sultan Muhammad II (1837-1886) after the opening of the Kota Bharu and construction of Istana Balai Besar.
Istana Jahar is now used as the Kelantan Royal Museum. The museum showcases the history of the Kelantan sultanate from the earliest times until the reign of the Sultan of Kelantan at the moment. Space exhibition at the Museum building is divided into several parts, such as armaments, costume, and other matters related to the sultanate. Although it has been used as a museum, the original design of the building is still preserved. Its unique architecture with beautiful carvings that graced the building's museum palace.
Istana Jahar is now used as the Kelantan Royal Museum. The museum showcases the history of the Kelantan sultanate from the earliest times until the reign of the Sultan of Kelantan at the moment. Space exhibition at the Museum building is divided into several parts, such as armaments, costume, and other matters related to the sultanate. Although it has been used as a museum, the original design of the building is still preserved. Its unique architecture with beautiful carvings that graced the building's museum palace.
Written March 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MatKuale
Johor Bahru, Malaysia2,033 contributions
Sep 2013 • Solo
This time around left the mrs to do some shopping at Pasar Siti Khadijah and walked solo to this old palace-museum, about 250metres round the corner towards the royal pier.There are 2 buildings; front is the 2 storey old palace and back is another stilted building housing the weapons gallery. Inside the museum is old marble floor, dark wooden partitions and various rooms each representing a particular traditional or ceremonial theme like engagement, wedding, infant-care and childhood stage and some showcase of old songket and brassware. The upper floor was reached via 2 ornate iron spiral stairways and there were some intricate wrought iron and wooden architecture around the balcony.
No pictures were allowed to be taken inside the buildings. However the staff did not follow the tourists around or stand guard at strategic locations.
The back building houses the weapons gallery- various keris, axes,swords ,etc and under it were placed 5 ceremonial boats, a royal carriage, one old Volvo car and some artifacts and caged birds.
Entrance fee; adult local RM 2,Foreigner 3; children 1,2 respectively.
Opening hours 830am- 445pm Sat to Wed, Friday closed, Thursday 830-330pm. Rest period 1-215pm. Probably do 45mins to 1 hr here. Toilet is discretely hidden.
Overall, a great insight into an old palace, beautiful architecture, interesting traditions displayed and a well maintained museum ground.
No pictures were allowed to be taken inside the buildings. However the staff did not follow the tourists around or stand guard at strategic locations.
The back building houses the weapons gallery- various keris, axes,swords ,etc and under it were placed 5 ceremonial boats, a royal carriage, one old Volvo car and some artifacts and caged birds.
Entrance fee; adult local RM 2,Foreigner 3; children 1,2 respectively.
Opening hours 830am- 445pm Sat to Wed, Friday closed, Thursday 830-330pm. Rest period 1-215pm. Probably do 45mins to 1 hr here. Toilet is discretely hidden.
Overall, a great insight into an old palace, beautiful architecture, interesting traditions displayed and a well maintained museum ground.
Written September 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HRS_6
Kluang, Malaysia1,540 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
You could picture how royalty lived ages ago. The entrance fee is MYR1, for senior citizens? Also, picture taking is allowed
Written November 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
halimran7
Putrajaya, Malaysia127 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
Beautiful building, cheap entrance fee but the full potential of this museum is somewhat amiss. Workers there were loitering in front of the main building' door or nearby air-conditioner chatting or just entertained themselves with smartphones. Traditional clothes and sarongs looked worn out, tear with holes in it. Other displays may need some repair work or just a simple dusting or polishing. Floor isn't clean enough and you can feel it when you walked on it. Description for the display were fill with typo, wrongly sentenced or just directly translated from local language.
The museum consists of 3 part which is the main building for royal customs, secondary building for local weaponry display and the outside display of boats and vehicles used long time ago. Some of the staffs do approach you if you need assistance so don't hesitance to ask away.
The museum consists of 3 part which is the main building for royal customs, secondary building for local weaponry display and the outside display of boats and vehicles used long time ago. Some of the staffs do approach you if you need assistance so don't hesitance to ask away.
Written January 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymond W
Townsville, Australia4,505 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
Kota Bharu is not one of Malaysia's greatest drawcards. It is more of a gateway for those travelling onward to Thailand or off to the nearby Perhentian Islands. But for those passing a day or two in town, it has a modest collection of sights. Most of these are located around the town square. Perhaps the best of them is Istana Jahar, a late 19th century palace with some beautiful ironwork and cool, wooden floors. There isn't that much to see inside really but we heartily recommend looking out over town from the main veranda or maybe even taking a doze on the rug there.
Written March 7, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joelle-leona
cha-am, thailand642 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
enjoyed visiting this place with its colourful building and nice surrounding grounds with its beautifully painted long boat and old carriage
Written April 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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