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Neighbourhood in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Photo: Ahmad Rithauddin from Ampang, malaysia, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Damansara and Hartamas are two middle- to upper-middle-class suburbs which lie to the west of Kuala Lumpur. Although largely residential, both have pockets of good restaurants, watering holes and even some clubs. Desa Hartamas is particularly popular with the expatriate community.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Istana Negara
The official residence of the King (Yang Di-Pertuan Agong) of Malaysia. You can get a glance at this gigantic building by going to the main entrance (see geo marker). If the flag is raised up on top of the largest dome of the palace, then the king is inside. Else the king has left the complex. At 11AM each day there is a changing of the guard. Open to the public once a year on Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid al-Fitr), during which you can exchange greetings with the king, and lunch is served to visitors for free.
Kompleks Mahkamah
It is said that this Court Complex is the second largest in the world behind the one in India. Although not overly touristy, the arial view of the court resembles a Y-Wing Plane from Star Wars. To get there, Head on to Jalan Khidmat Usaha from Jalan Duta and the court can be seen at your right.
Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan
This large mosque, which was opened in 2000, was partly inspired by the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. The mosque's website is in Malay only. Statistics on the number of tourist visits are given, so it is clearly possible to visit the mosque outside of prayer times, but the website doesn't seem to make clear what arrangements would be needed, so it might be a good idea to call, especially if you're a non-Muslim interested in seeing the interior outside of prayer times. If you are a Muslim and would like to pray at the mosque, prayer times are prominently displayed on the website.
Pusat Sains Negara
Well done science museum, which is especially great, if you come with children.
The most popular spot in the whole city to go mountainbiking or hiking. Unfortunately the forest is constantly reduced in size by greedy building developers.
Desa Sri Hartamas probably has the largest number of reflexology centres per unit area in KL.
Just for meat lovers. The name of this game is meat! Lots of it! Amazing Brazilian meat serviced until you are too full to walk.
B&B
Large semi-opened air bar and restaurant with good happy hour promotions. Mix of local office workers along with expat who stay in the area. Be prepared to make reservations during large sporting events. Food specialties include wood fire pizzas and plenty of pork dishes.
One of the original large restaurants/bars in Sri Hartamas. Always a good time here, drinks and food are of pretty high standards. Note that they do not serve pork here. Large TV and projectors constantly show live sporting events. Be prepared to make reservations for evenings.
Beautiful high-end hotel 30 min from the airport, with 6 restaurants and a spa.
Hotel in a good area but in need of refurbishment. Studio and peninsula suites, all equipped with A/C, internet, cable TV, mini-bar. fitness room/gym, sauna and spa, outdoor swimming pool, and car rental.
A bazaar every Thursday, selling food, clothing, toys, household appliances, etc.
JUSCO
Great place with plenty of hip stores. Plenty of food choices and a great supermarket in the basement.
TESCO
By train
For Sri Hartamas/Mont Kiara (Kuala Lumpur side), the nearest rapid rail station is the Segambut KTM Komuter station.
By bus
Alternatively, one can take the RapidKL Route 190 (formerly U7) bus straightaway from Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in downtown Kuala Lumpur and reach Mont Kiara/Sri Hartamas.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Subang · International · SZB
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