Little India
Kuala Lumpur's own Little India is found along Masjid India Street which is near Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. A short stretch of Indian shops are the trademark of this place, retailing traditional Indian goods such as milk, breads, flower garlands and Bollywood music.
While Indian music blasts away on the street, visitors can soak in the colourful sights on the street. For those who want to wet their taste buds; there are many eateries along the street for you to choose from, which enable you to try authentic Indian food and sip some 'Teh Tarik', a local tea that is popular with all races.
A riot of colours, from the saris hanging from shops to the snacks and sweetmeats on sale from roadside stalls. Little India is a treasure house of sights, sounds and aromas, Find fresh milk, various Indian breads and delicious mouth-watering fare from the numerous eateries. What better opportunity to sample Indian cuisine at really affordable prices.
KL's Little India is to be found in the older section of the city on Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. Jalan Masjid India is the main street of Little India and the whole place is delightfully reminiscent of a Middle Eastern bazaar with the arrangement of its shops and items on sale.
Opening Hours:
Shops are generally open from 10:00 - 21:00
Location:
Along Jalan Masjid India, near Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman
How to get there:
Alight at Masjid Jamek LRT Station - Little India is just a short walk away from the train station. From the train station, walk along Jalan Melayu, turn right into Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman, before turning right into Jalan Masjid India. It is also a short walking distance from Chinatown.
Kampung Baru
The oldest Malay residential area in Kuala Lumpur, Kampung Bahru is about ten minutes away from Chow Kit Market. Founded in 1899 there are still authentic traditional Malay wooden houses there, a sharp contrast to the concrete houses and high-rise apartments of Kuala Lumpur. On Saturday evenings, one section of Kampung Bahru is a hive of activity with the Pasar Minggu, or Sunday Market. Starts from 6 p.m. on Saturday evenings and ends in the wee hours of Sunday morning at 1 a.m.
This market has a totally Malay feel to it, and this is obvious in the style of jewellery and clothes, the fabrics, the handicrafts and aromas of Malay cooking.
Location:
Kampung Baru is a Malay residential area encompassing Jalan Mahmud, Jalan Raja Uda, Jalan Hamzah, Jalan Daud, Jalan Datuk Abdul Malik and Jalan Haji Yahya Sheikh Ahmad.
How to get there:
Alight at Kampung Baru LRT Station - the train station is right within the Kampung Baru vicinity. Alternatively, it can also be reached via Chow Kit Monorail - just walk along Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz to get there.
Batu Caves
The Batu Caves is located north of Kuala Lumpur city and is actually part of Selangor state. The large limestone hill is shaped like one big mound, where the middle part holds the main cavern with 272 steps leading up to its entrance. Predominantly a religious site of worship for Hindus, the main cave has a few altars and statues. Walking past them will lead you to an opening in the roof of the hill, where sunlight filters in through into the cave.
Along the way up the steps, there is another cave, which is called the 'Dark Cave'. This is a cave with restricted access as it holds a diverse range of fauna, such as spiders, bats and snakes. However, there are tours available to enter and explore the 2-km Dark Cave. While exploring Batu Caves, do watch out for naughty monkeys that will brazenly nick your bags for food when you look away.
Opening Hours:
Daily, 06:00 - 21:00
Address:
Batu Caves, Sri Subramaniam Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel:
+603-2287-9422
How to get there:
13km north of Kuala Lumpur How to get there: Take Intrakota bus No 11D from the Central Market or the Cityliner bus No 69 at Jalan Pudu to get to Batu Caves. Taxis are also available anywhere around city.
National Museum
The National Museum or Muzium Negara is located just outside the Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens, and is Malaysia's main museum. The building itself is a mix of traditional Malay and modern architecture, built in 1963. Outside, a restored old railway train greets visitors along with other old transportation vehicles such as the very first Proton Saga car, bullock carts and a vintage automobile.
The museum consists of two wings that house a variety of exhibits, dioramas and galleries which include historical relics and artifacts, cultural items, arts and handicrafts, flora and fauna, weapons and currencies. From time to time, there are special theme exhibitions to educate and enthrall visitors.
Opening Hours:
Daily, 09:00 - 18:00, closed on Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji
Address:
Jalan Damansara 50566, Kuala Lumpur. , Malaysia.
Tel:
+603-2267-1048
How to get there:
Near Sentral Station, however, you have to figure out the best way to walk across the highway to get there from that stop.
National Library
The National Library in Jalan Tun Razak is a repository for locally-written and international books of an academic nature. The library is most often used by avid readers, students and researchers as a resource centre. The library, which has several floors, divides its collection of more than 6,500 books into Malaysiana, Rare Collection, Manuscripts, Serials, General, Media Resources, United Nations and National Collections. Other facilities include a photographic studio and web browsing stations.
Opening Hours:
Tueday to Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00, Sunday: 10:00-18:00, closed on Monday & Public Hoilday.
Address:
232, Jalan Tun Razak, 50572 Kuala Lumpur
Tel:
+603-2687-1700
National Art Gallery
The National Art Gallery located along Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin was established in the former Majestic hotel, which itself is a historical building built in 1932. It houses a number of galleries that range from permanent exhibits to temporary ones. The permanent collection amounts to over 2,500 art pieces, featuring the work of local and international artists. From time to time, educational programmes, workshops, competitions and seminars are organised.
Opening Hours:
Daily: 10:00 - 18:00, closed on Hari Raya
Address:
2, Jalan Temerloh, Off Jalan Tun Razak, 53200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel:
+603-4025 4990
Royal Selangor Club
The Royal Selangor Visitor Centre is located in Setapak where visitors can see how pewter is manufactured and turned into intricate handicrafts. Established more than a century ago, Selangor Pewter is world-renowned for its beautifully-crafted pewter items that have won several international awards. At the centre, you can also glimpse how fine jewelry is made in the factory besides pewter products.
Opening Hours:
Daily: 09:00 - 17:00
Address:
No. 4, Jalan Usahawan Enam, Setapak Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 53200
Tel:
+603-4145-6000
National Mosque
The National Mosque is located near the Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens. Opened in 1965, the mosque is elegantly designed with contemporary interpretations of traditional Islamic art and calligraphy. Its unique feature is the umbrella-like roof which is cast in a blue hue. Visitors are required to remove their shoes as well as dress appropriately before entering.
Addition Note: Only Muslims are allowed in the main prayer hall. Shoes must be removed before entering the mosque. Modest dressing is a must for all visitor - no shorts, short skirts and sleeveless tops allowed. Women are advised to cover their heads with a veil when entering the mosque. The mosque is busy at prayers times, particularly during Friday prayers when the mosque is packed to the the brim, so visitors are advised to plan their visits around these prayer times.
Address:
Jalan Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel:
+603-2693-7784
Thean Hou Temple
The Thean Hou Temple is one of the oldest temples in Southeast Asia, sitting on top of a hill next to the Taman Seputeh. It is also an ornately decorated temple which has spectacular designs across its roofs, complete with murals on its walls. The temple is also popular as a wedding venue, especially for the Chinese who frequent the place in the thousands during certain festivals.
Opening Hours:
Daily: 09:00 - 18:00
Address:
65 Persiaran Endah, Off Jalan Syed Putra, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 50460
Tel:
+603-2274-7088
Jalan Ampang
Take a walk along Jalan Ampang and you'll be taking a walk back in time, all the way to the 1900-s. The old mansions belonging to the tin tycoons at the turn of the century, these old ancestral homes line the streets in their silent splendour bearing witness to the passage of time and the growth of the Malaysian nation.
Just so, the architecture of the buildings from Islamic architecture to Art-Deco, reflects the diversity and harmony in differences, just as Malaysia reflects the diversity and harmony of its people.
Sadly enough, some of these buildings have been demolished to make way for modern developments, while some others have been refurbished and now take on new roles.
