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Photo: Chainwit., CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The oldest Chinese temple in Kuala Lumpur built in 1882. The temple is dedicated to Shen Kong, worshipped as the guardian deity for the local Chinese miners and houses several other deities, including the deified Yap Ah Loy, third Kapitan Cina of KL. The ornate interior and elaborate roof ridges are typical of religious Chinese architecture and visitors can still see patrons conducting worship to the gods and the ancestors.
Sin Sze Si Ya Temple is a Chinese temple located at 14A Lebuh Pudu, close to the Central Market of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was built by Yap Ah Loy for two deities he believed guided him in the Selangor Civil War. The temple is the oldest Taoist temple in the city.
Jamek Mosque
It's at the convergence of the Klang and Gombak rivers. The stately Masjid Jamek, constructed in 1909, is one of the oldest mosques in the city. Inspired by Mogul mosques in North India, this building's notable features are three elegant domes which used to dominate the KL skyline long before skyscrapers were built there. Its location between two rivers makes it appear as an island of tranquility in the busy city. Major construction work is ongoing due to the River of Life program, which is going to turn this area including the river into a prime recreational hotspot of the city.
During the night the river is flooded with fog and illuminated with blue light — quite a marvelous view. The show starts at 9PM and 9:45PM, and probably other times.
Dataran Merdeka
Originally grown by the British as a cricket ground, and known as the Padang during colonial times, this square has a special place in the hearts of all Malaysians as it was here that the Union Jack was lowered for last time in 1957 and Malaysia gained her independence. The proclamation of independence was not made here, but at the Merdeka Stadium (see below). Standing tall here is also one of the tallest flag poles in the world, measuring in at 100 m. Surrounding the area are host of historical structures like Sultan Abdul Samad building (see below) and the Old City Hall. The Royal Selangor Club and St. Mary's Cathedral are two famous landmarks nearby. The square itself is still used as the main cricket ground for the Royal Selangor Club.
Fronting the Merdeka Square, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building was built as the offices of the Colonial Secretariat, and later served as the first administrative centre of the Malayan government. Built in 1897 by British architects, A C Norman and A B Hubback, this historical landmark is famed for its Islamic-inspired architecture. Today, it houses the Courts of Law. The 40-m-high clock tower is a popular gathering-point for New Year and National Day countdown celebrations and parades. The building was in fact named after the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Abdul Samad (reigning 1857-98), who ruled over Selangor and Kuala Lumpur when the building was completed. Since 2026 it houses a museum which showcases the history of the building and Malaysia in general.
A Moorish-style masterpiece designed by Arthur Benison Hubback, a British Architectural Assistant to the Director of Public Works. As well as suburban trains and express trains to Ipoh, it houses a mini-museum of Malaysian railway history. It is one of three grand British-built railway stations on the Malayan railway network; the other two being Ipoh and the now-disused Tanjong Pagar Railway Station in Singapore. The station can be accessed by two pedestrian bridges from Pasar Seni metro station, thus serving as an interchange between the RapidKL metro networks and the KTM national rail network. Fun fact: The construction was delayed as its rooftop design did not meet British railway specifications. It had to be able to support snow a metre deep.
Victoria Institution first generation building, 1894-1929
It is used as a theatre and arts centre. This building is notable for being the first site of the Victoria Institution until 1929 (refer below). In 1911 it was witness to a sensational murder case - the Ethel Proudlock case. The building was once part of a larger school complex; the other buildings were torn down in the 1960s. Gutted in a fire in 1999, it was refurbished after acquisition by the government several years ago.
Art-Deco clock tower built in 1936/37 to commemorate the coronation of King George VI. The commemorative plague was removed upon Malayan independence in 1957. Refurbished in 2013. The Market Square is no longer open to vehicular traffic since then. There is a fountain on the southern side of the clock tower.