Wednesday, 28 September 2011

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.




 

Monday, 26 September 2011

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

Friday, 23 September 2011

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.