
Colonial District
The small Colonial District is centered on the beautifully tended
Merdeka Square on the west bank of the Klang river. This is where
Malaysia's Independence was proclaimed on August 31, 1957.
Nearby, to the south, the National Museum of History (daily
9am-6pm), on the corner of Jalan Raja, provides an informative
romp through the main points of the nation's history, from the
geological formation of the Peninsula to Prime Minister Mahathir's
Vision 2020. South along Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, the 35-storey
Dayabumi Complex is home to the national oil company, Petronas,
which maintains the excellent Galeri Petronas, on the ground floor,
displaying contemporary Malaysian art.
Continuing south down Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, you'll see the
impressive seventy-metre-high minaret and geometric lattice work
of the Masjid Negara , the National Mosque (daily 9am-6pm except
Fri 2.45-6pm). To enter, you need to be properly dressed: robes can
be borrowed from the desk at the entrance. Behind the mosque on
Jalan Perdana is the ultra-modern Museum of Islamic Arts
(Tues-Sun 10am-6pm; RM8). This fascinating collection of textiles,
metalwork and ancient Korans is a must-see, as it's the first of its
type in the world. Check out the calligraphic section, which includes
handwritten sections of the Koran, some dating back a thousand
years, and many of them intricate and beautiful.
A hundred metres south, the spires, minarets, domes and arches
of the 1911 train station is probably the city's most famous building.
Ten minutes' walk west along Jalan Damansara brings you to the
extensive ethnographic and archeological exhibits of the Muzium
Negara , Malaysia's National Museum (daily 9am-6pm; RM1).
Alongside dioramas of traditional Malaysian life, from simple
kampung (village) activities to elaborate wedding and circumcision
ceremonies, you see wayang kulit (shadow play) puppets, kris
daggers, and traditional musical instruments.
Once at the National Museum you're only a short walk from the
extensive Lake Gardens and the interesting National Planetarium
(Tues-Sun 10am-7pm; RM1), where displays illuminate the Islamic
origins of astronomy as well as Malaysia's modern-day thrust for
the stars. Also in the park, close to the Orchid Garden, you'll find the
excellent Bird Park (daily 9am-6pm; RM3), whose walkways loop
around streams to take in the habitats of indigenous species such
as hornbills and the Brahminy Kite. There are many entrances into
the park, but the main one is a thirty-minute walk due west of
Merdeka Square along Jalan Parlimen.
Located on the banks of the river
which in yesteryear teemed with
Chinese junks and spice-laden
vessels from all over the world, The
Majestic Malacca provides a glimpse
into the splendid saga of an
extraordinary empire.
Founded centuries ago by a
Sumatran prince, Malacca grew to
become a powerful sultanate and
the centre of the lucrative spice
trade, visited by Arab, Tamil and
Chinese merchants and subjected
to dominance by the Portuguese,
Dutch and British in turn. Each left
their mark, creating the unique and
enduring allure of the city today.
Beautiful places, beautiful people, beautiful Malaysia
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The Kuala Lumpur Railway Station Located at Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin is a famous landmark in Kuala Lumpur - Moorish architecture.
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National Mosque
The main dome of the national mosque is designed in the shape of
an 18-point star to represent the 13 states of Malaysia and the five
central Pillars of Islam, and has the appearance of a partly opened
umbrella roof which symbolises the aspirations of an independent
nation.
As one of Southeast Asia's largest mosques, its unique modern
design embodies a contemporary expression of traditional Islamic
art, calligraphy and ornamentation.
Have a quick look at your city map. You'll notice that the National
Mosque is right next to the architecturally fabulous old railway
station, and just a short walk to the sprawling Lake Gardens and
National Monument. If you have the energy, make a walking tour of it
by stringing these attractions together.

Kuala Lumpur City Gallery
Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, once the Old Kuala Lumpur Memorial
Library, is located right in the heart of Independence Square
(Dataran Merdeka). This magnificent more than a century old
Moghul-India style architecture faces the iconic 100-metre flag pole
and houses many attractions! Learn, the History of Kuala Lumpur
through prints, photos and architectural miniature models.
Be amazed with an intricate miniature of Kuala Lumpurs heritage
enclave Dataran Merdeka and Chinatown. Tourists can also
experience for themselves the making of ARCH - The Official
Souvenir of Kuala Lumpur. Bring home Made in Malaysia gifts for
family and friends from the largest ARCH Gift Shop in Malaysia.
Choose from intricate handmade artworks depicting the heritage of
the country to a wide range of Kuala Lumpur merchandise.
Capture a photographic moment with the largest Kuala Lumpur
skyline wood-veneer mural in the world!
Kuala Lumpur City Gallery also serves as a Tourist Information
Centre and provides a free comprehensive Kuala Lumpur Walks
and Tours Map to every visitor!
*images courtesy of KL City Gallery
Opening Hours : From 8am 6pm daily. Free Visitor Parking

KL Bird Park
The KL Bird Park is located in the serene and scenic Kuala Lumpur
Lake Gardens, 10 minutes away from the Kuala Lumpur city centre.
The KL bird park is home to more than 3,000 birds of 200 local and
foreign bird species. The main feature that distinguishes KL Birk
Park from any other bird parks is the concept of free-flight. Stroll
through the park, and take the opportunity to see Mandarin ducks,
hawk eagles, hornbills, ostriches and much more.
The Egg Incubation Room and Nursery shows how chicken eggs
are artificially incubated using incubators. Take the opportunity to
take photographs with the different species of birds, while joining in
the daily bird shows and feeding programme. The KL Bird Park Bird
Show is the event highlight of the day and its happening at the
sem-open air ampitheater at 12.30pm and 3.30pm daily.


Perdana Botanical Gardens
Taman Botani Perdana, better known as the Perdana Botanical
Gardens, is the oldest and most popular park in Kuala Lumpur. It
lies just on the edge of the city and used to be where the British
elite built their fine homes in the colonial times.
Today, its landscaped hills and beautiful trails provide an escape
for city dwellers out for a jog or some early morning t'ai chi. Its main
attraction is the lake surrounded by lush greenery in a 92ha. (227
acres) parkland that provides a refreshing ambience.
Roam through the aviaries at the Bird Park and Butterfly Park. Or
take a stroll through the beautiful Deer Park and Orchid Garden,
which are all reachable either by foot or by regular shuttle buses.
From the gardens, you can also visit other attractions such as the
National Monument, the Planetarium and the Islamic Museum.

The National Palace
Visitors flock to the National Palace gates to see the daily changing
of the guards. So, don't forget to bring a camera along to capture
this changing of the guards event. The National Palace, is where
the King and Queen live, with its beautiful and immaculate gardens.
For further information go to www.malaysianmonarchy.org.my




Muzium Negara
Muzium Negara used to be the site of the Selangor Museum,
established in 1898. After the country's independence in 1957,
the new federal government built a newer, larger museum on the
same spot. Once completed, the reigning King at the time, the
Yang di-Pertuan Agong III, Tuanku Syed Putra Al-Haj Ibni
Almarhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail officially opened the
museum on the 31st of August 1963.
Today, the museum houses various exhibits depicting the
historical background of the country. The exhibits are on a rotation
basis, so it is best to check out the museum on their exhibits at
the time. Other than that, one can find, in the museum grounds
various national treasures including the istana (palace) of Sultan
Zainal Abidin III, Sultan of Terengganu in 1884. The palace, the
Istana Satu, is built entirely of hardwood, and built in the museum
compounds in 1974. Other attractions include the bust of Sir
Francis Light, whom founded Penang, as well as the first cable
car from Bukit Bendera, Penang.

Maybank Numismatic Museum
The museum has a collection of currencies of early Malaya to the
present day, including currencies from Asean. Some of the
collections include coins and notes dating from the time of the
Melaka Sultanate, and currencies used during the occupation of
Portuguese, British, and Japanese in Malaya. Among the
collection include miniature cannons, currencies from the Malay
states as well as foreign currencies.


National Monument
It was built to recognise and honour those who gave up their lives
in the cause for peace and freedom, particularly during the
nation's struggle against the threat of Communism. Within the
National Monument grounds is one of the world's largest
free-standing bronze sculptures. It was sculpted in 1966 by Felix
de Weldon, who was also the creator of the famous Iwo Jima
monument in Washington DC.
The seven bronze human figures, atop an oblong base; each
figure denoting one of seven qualities: courage, leadership,
sacrifice, strength, suffering, unity and vigilance. The topmost
figure, at the centre, holds aloft the Malaysian flag. He is flanked
on the left and right by two other soldiers, both armed; the figure
on the left is armed with a machinegun, while the other carries a
rifle and a bayonet. Beside the National Monument are the
ASEAN Gardens and the Memorial Tun Razak which, houses
memorabilia of Malaysia's second Prime Minister, the late Tun
Abdul Razak Hussein.

National Textiles Museum
The National Textiles Museum, first opened in January 2010
houses a unique collection of clothing, accessories and textiles.
The museum has four main galleries: Pohon Budi Gallery,
Pelangi Gallery, Teluk Berantai Gallery and the Ratna Sari
Gallery. The Pohon Budi Gallery Showcases the origins of textiles
from pre-historic times as well as its growth through trade. Also
on exhibit here are tools, materials and traditional techniques of
textile-making through several processes. Also shown are videos
of the country's textiles making processes such as keringkam,
songket and pua kumbu.
The Pelangi Gallery exhibits selected heritage collections such
as types of clothing worn by the various communities in Malaysia.
This includes clothing worn by the Baba Nyonya community of
Melaka, as well as various clothings of the Sabah and Sarawak
ethnic communities. The Teluk Berantai Gallery showcases the
rich heritage of the Malay songket, including collections such as
kain tenun (weave), kain berayat (verses), songket tenggarung
and other cloths. The Ratna Sari Gallery is perhaps the most
adorned with its intricate exhibit of rich jewelry items and
personal adornments. On exhibit are earrings, hair pin, bracelets,
anklets as well as accessories worn by the various ethnic
communities throughout Malaysia.


Sultan Abdul Samad Building
The Sultan Abdul Samad building is located in front of Dataran
Merdeka and Royal Selangor Club, by Jalan Tunku Abdul
Rahman. It was completed in 1897 by A.C. Norman and was
used to house several government departments at the time of the
British administration in Malaya. Today, this historical building
houses the Supreme and High Courts. The building with unique
Moorish designs and clock tower is widely photographed by
visitors to the city centre. On important occasions, the building is
decorated with colourful lights and flags. The famous Dataran
Merdeka is also just across the street from the Sultan Abdul
Samad building.