Masjid Jamek KL - Where KL Started and other Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Things to Do Tips

Built in 1907 and officially opened by the Sultan of Selangor on Dec 23, 1909, Masjid Jamek Kuala Lumpur is the oldest mosque in KL. It is not surprising then that the mosque is situated at the very place where KL started - where the two rivers (Sg Gombak and Sg Kelang) meet.

This striking red-brick and marble building is inspired by the mogul/north Indian Islamic architecture as it was designed by British engineer A.B. Hubback, who had previously served in India. It has three domes - the bigest dome at the centre was collapsed in the 1990s and later rebuilt. At the corners are two red and white striped minarets.

As it is located in the city centre, muslims flock the mosque daily for their prayers. On Friday the crowd will be over flooded up to the street and the LRT Station nearby (no wonder they name it Masjid Jamek station :)

A must visit for all who come to KL as it is located at the site where the history of KL started.

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Directions: At that place where the rivers meet.

Prior to the building of the Petronas Twin Towers, the Sultan Abdul Samad building has long been a famous landmark for Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur.

Designed by British architect A.C Norman, it was built in 1897 with a unique Moorish-style design. The Moorish inspired design of the building is based on some of the features of buildings in Islamic countries that suitably reflects the cultural background of Malaysia. It used to be the Colonial Secretariat offices, but now houses the Supreme and High Courts.

The centre of attraction is it's clock tower in the midle - KL's answer to London's 'Big Ben'. The clock tower is significant to many major events; from the lowering of the Union Jack at the strock of midnite when Malaysia (then Malaya) gained independance to the numorous new year eve celebrations.

Another must visit in KL.

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Directions: Not that far from the place where the rivers meet.
Website: http://www.cuti.com.my/Sub/Kl/guide_sasbuild.htm

Just opposite the Sultan Abdul Samad building, Dataran Merdeka (Independance Square) was formerly known as the Selangor Club field before being upgraded and renamed to its present status.

The new name better reflects its status as it was at this place on midnight of August 31, 1957 that the Malayan flag was hoisted for the first time in the country's history upon gaining independence from the British rule.

As a rememberance to this event, a 100 metre high flagpole - the world tallest - was erected at the very place where the Malayan flag was hoisted on the independance day. On August 31 every year the Merdeka Day Parade will normally be held here. Apart from the parade, Dataran Merdeka is also the popular venue for various other events - open air concerts, carnivals, starting/finishing point for marathons etc. Occasionally it will be turned into batle ground for kriket match, just like it used to be during the colonial days.

Underneath the flagpole area used to house Plaza Putra - an underground food, leisure, entertainment complex and an underground parking bay. Unfortunately it was flooded after a very heavy downpour recently and still close to the public.

At the other end of the field is a nice fountain area for relaxation. Exactly facing the Sultan Abdul Samad building is the Selangor Club building - an inheritance of the colonial days that is still in operation till these days.

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Website: http://www.cuti.com.my/Sub/Kl/guide_merdeka.htm

A rememberance of Malaysia's former colonial days, Queen Victoria fountain was erected as a tribute to the Queen. Apart frm KL, another similar fountain was also erected for the same reason in Melaka within the Stadhuys' compound.

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Address: Dataran Merdeka
Directions: Opposite Sultan Abdul Samad Building within Dataran Merdeka's compound.

The National History Museum is housed in this historical building which was formerly occupied by the Standard Chartered Bank during the colonial days. The museum exhibits important collections of Malaysian history under one roof.

Among the important items exhibited here are a table used for the signing of the 1874 Pangkor Treaty that leads to the British interference in the administration of the Malay states and also the First Federation of Malaya flag which was raised after the Union Jack flag was lowered in signaling the independence of the Malay states on the night of August 31, 1957.

Besides having impressive collections, the architecture of this museum also displays unique features based on its Moorish architecture circa 1800s. Located right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and surrounded by many monuments and historical buildings make it all the more accessible and nostalgic to visit.

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Phone: +603 2694 4590
Address: Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur
Directions: In the vicinity of the Dataran Merdeka area.
Website: http://www.jma.gov.my/muzeum.cfm?cat=2&sub=1

One of the earliest club for KL's elite, the Selangor Club has been around since the British colonial days as the social gathering place for the Britons stationed in KL. It is located just opposite the Sultan Abdul Samad building and Dataran Merdeka (which used to be called Selangor Club's field). Its unique feature is its Tudor inspired design which is a striking contrast to building with domes and minarets in its surrounding.

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Address: Dataran Merdeka
Directions: Opposite Dataran Merdeka & Sultan Abdul Samad building.

Officially known as Kuala Lumpur Station, this Moorish-style railway terminal was designed by the same architect for Masjid Jamek KL, A.B. Hubbock; in 1886.

As Mr.Hubback had previously served the British administration in India before being transferred to KL, his passion for Morish/Northern Indian designs are clearly reflected here. Not suprising then KL's Railway Station and Masjid Jamek have close resemblance. Its domes and minarets' unique features make it one of the most phothograph railway station in the world. The station housed a linear set of halls with the platforms were out behind.

It was extended in 1967 to accomodate the need for additional office space. The new extension also housed the Heritage Station Hotel at the station's northern wing. In the 1980s extensive renovation was carried out to modernise the station but not at the expense of its original design which is still being preserved and not unnecessarily destroyed.

With the opening of KL's integrated trains station and transport hub - KL Sentral - in 2001, all of the inter-city trains now use KL Sentral as their embarkation point, leaving only KTM Komuter trains and PLUS Liner coaches that still operate from this old railway station. However, plan is underway to turn the railway station into a tourist attraction heritage building.

Some interesting facts:
*There is a story that the design was originally intended as a pavilion for a trade fair in Moscow but later it was built in KL - with snow gutter and a roof to withstand about 2 metres of snow!

*The place is said to be spooky as there are few cases of peoples jumping onto the railway track when train approching to commit suicide.

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Phone: +603-22671200
Address: Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Kuala Lumpur
Directions: Located at Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, clsoe to the Masjid Negara.
Other Contact: callcentre@ktmb.com.my

Directly opposite the old KL Railway station is the Malayan Railway ("Keretapi Tanah Melayu" or KTMB) Administration building. The building's Moorish design readily complements the old KL Railway station and both buildings are linked by an underground thoroughfare.

This "Old Monument and Historical Site" gazetted building was also designed by British architect A.B. Hubbock in 1913. However, its construction was delayed by the World War 1and was only completed in 1917.

The building is a unique blend of various architectures, and has elements from the 13th and 14th century Ottoman and Mogul empires as well as Gothic and ancient Greek designs. Its high and wide verandahs is well adapted to the tropical climate. The rhythmic arched colonades wrapping the verandahs give the building on its facade an interesting shadow interplay. There are five domes sit majestically atop the building, each surrounded by four spiral columns of orthodox Greek design.

This historical building was partly damaged during World War 2 due to bombing and by a fire in 1968 but has then been restored to its original conditions.

Plan is underway to turn the building into an exclusive heritage hotel upon the completion of the new KTMB headquarters building in the future.

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Phone: +603-22631111
Address: Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Kuala Lumpur
Directions: Directly opposite the old KL Railway station.
Website: http://www.ktmb.com.my/article.cfm?id=42
Other Contact: corpcomm@ktmb.com.my

The National Mosque is located just across the street from the old KL Railway Station. The location was chosen by the country first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj; as he want it to be easily accesible by those people from outstation who come to KL by train. (It is common for Muslims travellers to drop by at the nearest mosque to cleanse up and perform their prayers before continuing their journey. If it is late in the evening, mosque is also often use a place for them to stay overnite).

Completed in 1965 at a cost of RM10million, the building consist of a prayer hall, multi purpose hall, the warrior mausoleum, a library, offices, open courtyard and the minaret.

The prayer hall is sheltered by a folded-plate roof in the shape of "semi-opened umbrella" with 18 pleats radiating from the centre. Its minaret is in the shape of "closed umbrella" stands at 72 metres from the ground. This umbrella design gives the mosque a unique contrast to other onion shape domes and minaret in the buildings within its vicinity.

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Address: Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Kuala Lumpur
Directions: Diagonally opposite the old KL Railway station.
Website: http://www.cuti.com.my/Sub/Kl/guide_nmosque.htm

The Planetarium Negara (National Planetarium) is located within KL's Lake Garden district and was offially opened on 7th February 1994. In line with Malaysia's aims of sending its first astronaut to the space in the new millenium, the Planetarium Negara plays an important role of promoting space science to the society at large and leading Malaysia towards the development of space science. From a distance, this blue domed and minaret structure could easily be mistaken for a mosque.

Its attractions include the space theater, planetarium shows, space science exhibition, ancient observatory park and viewing galery. It also has an observatory tower that houses a 35 cm telescope.

Leading towards its main entrance at the cascading fountain area is the 'Merdeka Sun Clock'. It is a sundail in a bowl-like and crescent shaped that served the function of telling time quite accurately. The 'Merdeka Sun Clock' was previously located between the Merdeka Stadium and Stadium Negara, prior to its relocation here. It was named to commemorate the country's independence in 1957.

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Phone: +603-22735484
Address: Jalan Perdana, Kuala Lumpur
Directions: Within the Lake Garden district, close to the National Mosque and National Museum.
Website: www.baksa.gov.my