Muzium Negara - National Museum

The site of the Muzium Negara - on a hill facing Jalan Travers - was originally the site for the old Selangor Museum which was opened in 1906 and later accidentally destroyed by the Allied forces during the World War 2. In 1952, a small new building was erected at the same site to display national treasures. Upon independence, the small building was demolished in 1959 to make way for the present museum which was officially opened in August 1963.

 Main Entrance

The Museum Negara was built in the style of a Malay palace. It consists of a large central main entrance hall that is flanked by two exhibition wings. The two large murals on the exterior of the exhibition wings depict scenes of the country - the mural on the rights depicts the culture and customs of Malaysian while the one on the left chronicles the historical episodes of the nations. The museum was later extended in the 1990s to include a library, an auditorium and an additional exhibition hall for thematic exhibitions. 

Exhibition Gallery

Muzium Negara is a three storied structure of 109.7 meters long and 15.1 meters wide and 37.6 meters at the central point. The museum houses four main galleries specialising in ethnology and natural history. The displays range from free-standing tableau showing traditional cultural events like weddings, festivals and beautiful costumes; to the rich variety of weapons, musical instruments, arts and crafts, precious ceramics, and flora & fauna. 

Museum Hall

Opening Hours & Entrance Fees

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM daily
  
• Admission: RM 2, Children below 12 years: Free

Kuala Lumpur Old Railway Station

The KL Railway Building and the Malayan Railway Administration Building face each other across a busy road. Both buildings are in Moorish style and look like exotic multi-roofed palaces. The Railway Station was built in1911 by AB Hubbock. 

The building has recently been restored and has a lovely atmospheric cafe inside. There is an underpass to cross to the Malayan Railway Administration Building. 

It is a blend of various architectural and cultural styles, and is dominated by five domes. The style is similar to the Railway Station, some features are even identical, but as the colours are much darker and duller, and the domes sit directly on the building and not held by thinness columns, it looks much more massive, not as airy and lightweight as its fancy counterpart.

The railway station includes a train museum, several restaurants and a hotel (Station Hotel). Service started in August 1910. Renovations in 1986 took the building back to its former glory. But the station is used less as KL Sentral has overtaken all major operations.




 

Tugu Negara - National Monument

Tugu Negara is a sculpture that commemorates those who died in Malaysia’s struggle for freedom against the Japanese occupation during World War II and Malayan Emergency period between 1942-1960. The National Monument is located in Kuala Lumpur and is just a walking distance to the Malaysian Houses of Parliament. It is also the largest monument in Malaysia.

The National Monument consists of a group of seven bronze soldiers, each of them 4 times bigger than a normal human. Each of the bronze figures symbolizes leadership, suffering, unity, vigilance, strength, courage and sacrifice. The sculpture, holding the Malaysian national flag, the Jalur Gemilang, is located in a square island surrounded by water and fountains.

Opening Hours & Entrance Fees

• The National Monument is open daily to public from 7:00am to 6:00pm.
• Admission: Free

Masjid Negara - National Mosque

 Masjid Negara

Masjid Negara, The National Mosque is a uniquely designed building that embodies a contemporary expression of traditional Islamic art. It’s design is based upon the Grand Mosque in Mecca with 48 small domes and the main dome has the character of a multi fold “semi-opened blue umbrella” that is the roof which symbolises the 5 pillars of Islam and the 13 states of Malaysia. The 73 meter tall minaret has the shape of a “closed blue umbrella”. 

The mosque with its very ultra-modern design is situated among 12 hectares of  beautiful gardens and is one of the largest in Asia. The location, just opposite the old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station was chosen by the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman . The National Mosque was completed in 1965 at a cost of more than RM 10 million. 

As with all mosques you are required to take off your shoes (and cover your head if you’re a woman). Make sure you are suitably dressed if you want to go inside. Special robes are provided if you are not appropriately attired.

Masjid Negara Prayer Hall

Opening Hours & Entrance Fees

• Masjid Negara is open daily to public from 7:00am to 7:00pm.
• Admission: Free

Merdeka Square - Dataran Merdeka

Merdeka Square (or Dataran Merdeka) is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is situated in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It was here the Union Flag was lowered and the Malayan flag hoisted for the first time at midnight on August 31, 1957. Since then, Merdeka Square has been the usual venue for the annual Merdeka Parade (National Day Parade).

Surrounding the square are many buildings of historical interest including the Royal Selangor Club Complex which is situated on one side of the square, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the National History Museum (formerly the Chartered Bank Building) and the Memorial Library, a building dating back to 1909, St. Mary's Anglican Cathedral, a Gothic style building which is more than a hundred years old, the original Kuala Lumpur Railway Station (next to the Sultan Abdul Samad Building), the 102-year old Sanitary Board fountain and the impressive modern Dayabumi Complex.

A 95-meter flagpole, one of the tallest in the world, marks that spot with a flat, round black marble plaque. It is located at the southern end of the square.

Kuala Lumpur the Capital of Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur Highrise at Dusk

Kuala Lumpur or better known as KL is the capital of Malaysia , population (2005 est) 1,497,500. The city lies in a central position on the Malay Peninsula at the confluence of the Kelang and Gombak rivers, 40 km/25 mi from the west coast. Malaysia's leading commercial and industrial centre, Kuala Lumpur developed after 1873 with the expansion of tin and rubber trading and processing, which remain important.

Other industries include iron, cement, food processing, and the manufacture of electrical, electronic, and railway equipment.International trade is conducted through the port at Klang, on the Strait of Malacca, and through the international airport (1998).

Raja Abdullah

Kuala Lumpur founded by Raja Abdullah of Klang. It became the capital of Selangor state in 1880, of the Federated Malay States in 1896, of the newly-independent state of Malaya in 1957, and of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963. Since 1974 the city has been a federal territory.

Kuala Lumpur is home to the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, which have become an iconic symbol of Malaysia's futuristic developments. In 1998 it hosted the Commonwealth Games, the first Asian city to do so.

Kuala Lumpur is defined within the borders of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and is one of three Malaysian Federal Territories (others is Putrajaya and Labuan). It is an enclave within the state of Selangor, on the central west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Residents of the city are colloquially known as KLites.

 A Mix of Old and New Buildings

KL has a lively nightlife scene and a fascinating art and performance culture, which blends contemporary and traditional styles from many backgrounds. There is the widest range of sporting activities available with state-of -the-art facilities to impress any sporting enthusiast. The architecture is somewhat eccentric and is certainly unique, from hundred year old mansions to awe-inspiring sky scrapers, and all within metres of each other. 

KL Shopping Mall

Treat your tastebuds to Kuala Lumpur's extremely varied cuisine, which is certainly a tasty adventure in itself! Above all else KL is a shopping haven, offering everything from street side trinkets to haute couture.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport -KLIA

 KLIA the Main Gateway to Malaysia

The Kuala Lumpur International Airport is the main gateway into the Malaysia, and the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. It is located in Sepang, south of Selangor state, and is slightly over 50 km away from Kuala Lumpur. 

 Airport in The Forest

The airport spots a futuristic and green design.A unique feature of the airport is the “forest within the airport” concept. The Forest Research Institute of Malaysia was instrumental in “transferring” wild plants and trees from the jungle to the Satellite Terminal. 

 KLIA Main Terminal

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang opened in 1998. Close to 50 international airlines have regular direct services to and from Malaysia. The main national airline is Malaysian Airlines System (MAS) that together with two national airlines which is Firefly and Maswing covers short distance international and domestic routes.

 

Pan Pacific KLIA

For a live-in environment an 80 room Airside Transit Hotel is located within the Satellite Building for the travel-weary transit passengers to rest and refresh themselves. In addition, a 441-room Five Star Hotel, The Pan Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur International Airport, is available within walking distance from the airport terminal building for other airport users to stay and enjoy all the facilities, close to KLIA.

You can choose taxi, bus or KLIA Express
The international airport, KLIA, is located some 43 km (27 mi) south of the city. The trip to town takes about 70 minutes with taxi. 

Express buses run from KLIA to the bus terminal Hentian Duta Airport Bus Terminal.
The fastest way to go to Kuala Lumpur is with the high-speed train KLIA express. In just 28 minutes you are in the city centre of KL. Departure is every 15 minutes from 5 am to 1am in the late night. Tickets can be bought from counters or vending machines at KLIA, or downtown KL in the City Air Terminal (CAT) at the KL Central.

Airport Information
The Airport Information Counter is on Level 5 of the Main Terminal Building.

Malaysia General Information

Departure Hall KLIA

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS::
Visitors to Malaysia must be in possession of a valid passport or travel document with a minimum validity of six months beyond the intended visiting period. Most nationalities do not require visas for social or business visits.

CURRENCY::

The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit indicated as RM. Foreign currencies can be converted at banks and money changers.

All travellers, both residents and non-residents, are required to complete the Traveller's Declaration Form (TDF). The revised TDF has two separate sections and columns for residents and non-residents to declare their currencies;  the blue section for residents and the white section for non-residents;Residents are only required to declare in detail the exact amount of ringgit carried when they enter or leave the country only if the amount is in excess of RM1.000.

They are also required to declare in detail the exact amount in foreign currency, including traveller's cheques carried, when they leave the country only if the amount exceeds the equivalent of RM10.000.

Residents do not have to declare any amount of foreign currency, including traveller's cheques, carried with them when they re-enter the country. Non-residents are required to declare the exact amount of foreign currency carried when they enter or leave the country only if the amount exceeds the equivalent of USD 2,500.00.

Residents are required to keep the TDF in their passport when they leave the country and surrender the TDF on their return journey instead of the current practice of filling two separate TDFs when they leave and re-enter the country. Likewise, non-residents will continue with the current practice which requires them to keep the TDF with their passport and surrender the TDF on leaving their country.

BANKING HOURS::
Most states: Mon-Fri: 9.30am-4.00pm • Sat: 9.30am-11.30am • Sun: closed • Kedah, Kelantan &Terengganu: Sat-Wed: 9.30am-4.00pm • Thur: 9.30am 11.30am • Fri: closed.

POST OFFICES::
Open from 8.00am to 5.00pm daily except Sundays and public holidays. In Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu post offices are closed on Fridays and public holidays.
TIME Eight hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of U.S. Pacific Standard Time.

Malaysia Climate & Geography

 

 Terengganu's Beaches in Sunny Day

Malaysia's climate is hot and humid with relative humidity ranging from 80 - 90 percent, except in the highlands.  The temperature averages from 70-90 degrees F (20-30 degrees C) throughout the year.  The tropical climate is experienced year-round with the rainy season varying on the coasts of Peninsular Malaysia.  The west coast has it's rainy season from September through December with the east coast (and  Sarawak and Sabah) experiencing it's from October through February.  East Malaysia (the northern slopes) get up to 5080 mm of rain a year versus West Malaysia's 2500 mm.  

 

Map of Malaysia 

Malaysia is situated in central South-East Asia, bordering Thailand in the north, with Singapore to the south and Indonesia to the south and west. It is composed of Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the north coast of the island of Borneo, 650 to 950km (404 to 600 miles) across the South China Sea. Peninsular Malaysia is an area of forested mountain ranges running north-south, on either side of which are low-lying coastal plains. The coastline extends some 1,900km (1,200 miles). 

 Mount Kinabalu the Highest Mountain in Malaysia

The west coast consists of mangrove swamps and mudflats which separate into bays and inlets. In the west, the plains have been cleared and cultivated, while the unsheltered east coast consists of tranquil beaches backed by dense jungle. The major islands are Langkawi (a group of 99 islands), Penang and Pangkor off the west coast; and Tioman, Redang, Kapas, Perhentian and Rawa off the east coast. In Malaysian Borneo, Sarawak has alluvial and, in places, swampy coastal plains with rivers penetrating the jungle-covered hills and mountains of the interior. Sabah has a narrow coastal plain which gives way to mountains and jungle. Mount Kinabalu, at 4,094m (13,432ft), is the highest peak in Malaysia.

Selamat Datang.....Welcome to Malaysia

TRULY ASIA !

Kuala Lumpur Skyline

Malaysia is one of the most diverse, most prosperous and safest countries in Asia. It is divided in two regions: Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo These regions are separated by the South China Sea. Much of the beauty of Malaysia is in its diversity. Not only is Malaysia is a colorful fusion of races and cultures, but within and across East and West Malaysia are an impressive variety of microcosms ranging from the high tech of Kuala Lumpur to the rural villages of Sarawak, the granite peaks and jungles of Sabah, and the calm, powdery beaches of the Perhentian Islands.

Perhentian Island

Cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Georgetown (Penang) and Malacca, are modern and thriving. However, they each manage to remain authentic and unique, thanks to the importance of local culture and traditions.

Malaysia's Melting Pot

Malaysia is on the verge of something special, moving steadily towards developed nation status yet retaining its own unique identity, she is becoming more attractive to visitors each year. As you are about to discover, Malaysia is a country full of wonderful surprises.