Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum: Where History Whispers Through Teapots & Tailors' Scissors"** 🏮

#johorbahrutrip
Tucked above a kopitiam in JB’s old town, this **unassuming museum** is a time capsule of Straits Chinese life—where every artifact, from **peranakan beaded slippers** to **1930s barber chairs**, tells a story of migration, resilience, and really good kueh. I went for AC and left with *goosebumps*.

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### **First Impressions**
- **The Staircase Up**: Creaky wood steps that groan like your grandpa’s knees—instant vintage vibes.
- **The Smell**: Polished teak + mothballs + faint whiff of kaya toast from downstairs.
- **The Quiet**: No crowds, just the *tap-tap* of a ceiling fan and your own footsteps.

**"Whoa" Moment**:
Spotting the **100-year-old wedding cabinet** carved with phoenixes, its mirror still reflecting brides’ nervous smiles across generations.

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### **Hidden Gems**
🔍 **The Toy Corner**: 1950s tin robots and faded board games—proof kids always had better toys than us.
🔍 **Tailor’s Workshop**: Vintage Singer sewing machines that stitched JB’s first kebayas. Touch the scissors—they’re *cold* with history.

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### **Local Loves**
- **The Volunteers**: Sweet uncles who’ll point out “secret” details (like the hidden dragon in the ceiling beams).
- **The Photo Op**: Pose with the **antique bicycle**—it’s *technically* not for riding, but no one’s stopping you.

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### **Museum Hack**
**Time Your Visit**: Come at **11am** on weekdays—you’ll get the place to yourself + catch the morning light through stained glass.

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### **Post-Museum Musts**
☕ **Kopi at Hiap Joo Bakery** next door—order the banana cake (it’s baked in a **100-year-old woodfire oven**).
📸 **Street Art Hunt**: The museum’s shophouse neighbors are **mural-covered**—spot the giant *kueh lapis* painting!

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**Why It Matters**:
This isn’t just a museum—it’s **your great-grandparents’ JB**, preserved in porcelain, photo albums, and the ghostly hum of a 1930s radio. And yes, I *did* tear up at the handwritten recipes. No shame.

*Tip: RM5 entry—cheaper than a teh tarik!*