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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Photo: IQRemix, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kuala Lumpur's Old City Centre is the traditional heart of Malaysia's capital city in terms of administration as well as trade and commerce. The City Centre comprises the former colonial administrative district just west of the confluence of the Klang and Gombak River, where Kuala Lumpur was founded. At the heart of the colonial district is Merdeka Square, where Malaysia's independence was celebrated. Surrounding the square are many other colonial-era buildings. To the west of the square lies the pretty Lake Gardens while to the south you'll find the National Mosque, the Moorish-style Kuala Lumpur railway station, and several museums including the Islamic Arts Museum and the National Museum.
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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.
Stately Art Deco building towering above the Masjid Jamek metro station. Completed 1933, it was reportedly Kuala Lumpur's tallest structure back then. During the post-war years it was home to Radio Malaya (now Radio Television Malaysia, RTM). In the 1990s and early 2000s it housed a bank, which has since relocated. The building is vacant, though occasionally its five-foot ways are illuminated at night.
An elaborate Hindu temple known as the starting point of the yearly Thaipusam pilgrimage to the Batu Caves, where Hindu devotees haul portable altars pierced to their skin with 108 lances. Check out the elaborate gopuram above the entrance. Note: wearing shoes into the temple grounds is prohibited. Shoe racks are available for rent at the temple entrance.
The clan house (kongsi) of the Chen (陳) family, this is the largest and oldest in KL, with the present version completed in 1906.
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.
關帝廟
Located across the road from the Sri Mahariamman Temple, this is one of two 19th-century Chinese temples in the district. Built in 1888, this temple is dedicated to the Han Dynasty/Three Kingdoms figure Guan Yu (aka Kwan Kung). Though not as well-known as the Sin Sze Si Ya Temple, it is still very popular. This temple is also the office of the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Kwong Siew Association.
Mural Alley
A back alley with beautiful murals depicting historic life in Chinatown. A few food and beverage outlets are located in the alley as well.
A 118-storey skyscraper completed in 2023. At 680 m, it is the tallest building in Southeast Asia, and the second tallest building in the world, as of Feb 2024. There are offices and a Park Hyatt hotel in the superstructure and an observation deck at the top is also being set up. A mall at the base of the tower is still under construction, scheduled to open in 2026.
(lit. Independence Stadium)
Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaimed the independence of the Federation of Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) from British rule here on 31 August 1957. In fact, the stadium was purpose-built for that occasion. It was a public park, known as Coronation Park during the 1930s. The stadium was Malaysia's main national stadium until 1998, when it was relocated to Bukit Jalil National Stadium, in time for that year's Commonwealth Games.
(lit. National Stadium)
Malaya's first sheltered stadium, it was built in the 1960s to somewhat complement the adjacent Merdeka Stadium.
SMK Victoria
Though not exactly a tourist spot, this school, easily recognisable by its clock tower on its main block, is the oldest existing operational public school in Kuala Lumpur, having been founded in 1893 and relocated to its present site in 1929. Named after the reigning British queen during its founding, the all-boys school had produced its share of celebrities that had contributed to the country in various fields.
Masjid Yayasan Al-Bukhari
Beautiful mosque well worth a visit. Located next to the Victoria Institution.
(精武體育館)
Not quite a stadium, but more of a sports hall/badminton court and community centre for the local Chinese community. Do check out its public pool. Managed by the Chin Woo Athletic Association, founded by Chinese martial arts master Huo Yuanjia (remember the 2006 Jet Li film).
Founded by the British in 1884. Its historic colonial clubhouse is located next to Dataran Merdeka, a historic field where Malaya's independence from Britain was proclaimed by the first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman on 31st August 1957, which also functions as the club's cricket ground. It has on several occasions hosted international matches for the Malaysian national team.
品泉茶室
Old-time Chinese kopitiam, operating since the 19th century, serving noodles, dim sum, as well as pastries. Do check out the dining area on the mezzanine floor - very faithful reproduction of a colonial-era Chinese living room, complete with a woodern stair, artifacts, decor and even electrical switches from that era.
金蓮記
Right in the middle of Petaling Street, at the crossroads with Jalan Hang Lekir. In business since the 1920s, this stall was regarded as the inventor of KL-styled hokkien fried mee. No English sign, no menu in any language, and a kitchen you really don't want to look into - but it packs the crowds for its famous hokkien mee (fried noodles in dark sauce, RM5). Wash it down with a RM1 mug of cooling liang teh (herbal tea) and soak in the busy market ambience.
This is a well-known KL beef noodle shop, it is said to have started operating since 1945. It serves the noodles "dry" with beef mince while the beef balls are given separately in a bowl of soup.
Also very traditional beef noodles like before, but more choices and also very popular with locals and tourists. 3 different noodles, 3 different ways of beef, dry or wet.
Located adjacent to Masjid Jamek station, the street is lined with Indian banana leaf rice shops, just make your pick. One of them is Lakshmi Villas. For purely vegetarian food, you can try Saravanaa Bhavan or Bakti Woodlands.
Food court on Central Market's mezzanine floor, one of the few air-conditioned eating places in the area.
唐城美食中心
typical Indian restaurant (as for Malaysia) but with exceptionally wide choice of Indian delicacies (both veg and non-veg). Very friendly staff and budget prices - full meal with drinks for two = around RM13.
星江茶餐室
Chinese kopitiam, at the ground floor of Starlight Hotel.
何九海南茶店
Hainanese kopitiam in business since 1956 serving typical koptiam fare (nasi lemak, chicken hor fun, kaya toast etc). Watch out for the long queues; advisable to come early. Stocks do run out quick, usually by 2 pm.
One of only 2 remaining Western fast-food joints in this area (and the only one to operate 24/7), after a McDonald's at the entrance of Petaling Street ceased operations a few years ago, followed by a former Subway opposite Kotaraya complex. It is on the same side of the road as the Lai Foong kopitiam.
The other Western fast-food joint in this area (coincidentally, fried chicken as well).
萬佛緣齋菜館
Chinese Buddhist vegetarian restaurant.
Hot and cold coffee beverages and delicious cakes of all kinds.
It is a hostel bar so it is popular with backpackers. They also serve Asian and Western food. Also a hostel!
Run by a friendly Sri Lankan family. Full A/C and breakfast included with free Wi-Fi and no curfews. Clean, very safe and basic.
Clean and cheap hostel along Petaling Street run by Malaysian-Chinese owners. Good online ratings.
No-frills, budget accommodation close to Bukit Bintang and Chinatown. 5 min walk from the Pasar Seni train station. 8 bed Dorms. A/C is on 9PM-9AM only. Private rooms are small. Rooftop restaurant/bar for breakfast. Has fast free Wi-Fi. Has cable TV in the rooftop restaurant/bar. Average online ratings.
Unassuming with its small, easy-to-miss entrance. Large rooms, attached bathrooms with hot water shower, clean. Wifi is available in all the rooms. Average online ratings.
This place might have shut down! Please check and update. Housed in KL's beautiful old railway station, one stop from KL Sentral. With breakfast. Varying standard of condition and cleanliness throughout, Wi-Fi in the lobby. Bad online ratings.
Some rooms are smaller than others and some have bigger windows, so you may want to check first. Windows are all quite thick and sound proof so noise from Jalan Sultan is not a problem. 24-hr CCTV, and (slow) Wi-Fi in the rooms. No breakfast is included. Average to good online ratings.
Hostel in the middle of Petaling Street street market. Good online ratings.
Clean hostel/guesthouse, with private A/C single, double rooms and mixed dormitory with shared showers. 24/7 reception with security system. Single and double rooms are windowless but quiet. Helpful staff, TV lounge, free breakfast (toast, PB&J, tea & coffee) and internet (Wi-Fi & desktops @ TV lounge). Good online ratings.
5-min walk from the Pasar Seni train station, and a short train ride from the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC).
Cheap, simple, central, no bed bugs, no hot water. Ideal for budget travellers.
Boutique hotel inspired by traditional Wu Xing (五行) philosophy. Here, water, wood, fire, earth and metal set the theme.
Popular with foreigners. At night it may be noisy like all hotels on this street (centre of the Chinatown night market). Comfortable, generic rooms. Service is not friendly, but highly professional and efficient.
Quiet and comfortable.
Hotel Geo
Decent hotel adjacent to Pasar Seni metro station and near Central Market.
Occupying the top floors of Bangunan Mariamman (next to Vinny Jeyaa restaurant).
www.hotelolympicmalaysia.com
Hotel with two conference halls, attached to the offices of Malaysia's Olympic Committee.
3-star hotel with average online ratings. 10-min walk to China Town.
The newest and largest hotel in the area, having been completed in 2019. 4-star, with outdoor pool and gym.
Hotel with rooftop pool and gym. This building was a bank in the 1960s. MyNews convenience store at ground floor.
Chee Cheong Kai
The bustling centre of this district. Chinese-styled arches mark the entrances of this street. A relatively tame area during the day that comes alive in the evenings with stalls selling fake handbags, shoes, watches, sunglasses, DVDs and other various items. Be sure to haggle furiously as many stalls will inflate the price significantly. Along with sellers hawking their goods are restaurants and food stalls lining the street who will attempt to entice you in, sometimes a little aggressively. It can get particularly busy in the evenings so be sure to keep hold of your valuables. A green-coloured canopy was constructed over Petaling Street in the 2000s, thus providing shelter.
Near this GPS marker you will find two Muslim-run cloths shops which sell dirt-cheap second-hand and out-of-season cloths, both to the west and east inside the buildings on the ground floor. Fancy a decent white shirt for RM6.50 or some pants for RM15, you will find them here.
Pasar Seni
Kuala Lumpur's grand old market was opened in 1888 as a normal wet market, but the current building was actually built in 1937. Slated for demolition in the 1980s, it was luckily preserved after public outcry, and refurbished as a cultural market. Nonetheless, for some, it has arguably lost some of its old charm, complete with air-con. The market is now aimed squarely at tourists and selling crafts, fabrics, jewellery and other trinkets, both local and foreign. A market street that runs parallel to the markets, called Kasturi Walk, also operates as part of the market.
Has a supermarket on the 3rd floor. It is also a bus hub.
Mini market chain. There are many 99 Speed Marts around KL.
24 hour convenience store. There is another store at Jalan Sultan.
Discount store selling household items.
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