6 Key Attractions that You Must Visit (and Revisit in Kuala Lumpur

Text by SHAHIDA SAKERI Images by MUHAMMAD HASIF MOHD JELANI

Kuala Lumpur is best known as the beating heart of Malaysia, with endless offerings that lure every type of individual. Hop onto the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system towards the revamped Chinatown, and foodies will find more hip eateries than they could count. Moreover, KL Sentral, Mid Valley City and Bangsar South these days have become popular hubs for techies; while cool creative crowds, on the other hand, flock to the likes of Bangsar, Dutamas and Chow Kit (The Row KL) because these are some of the places where contemporaneity and the avant-garde thrive.

While there are many new points of interest mushrooming around the city as of late, various key attractions that have been around for some years continue to appeal and evolve as years go by. Together with the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau (KLTB) in conjunction with the #LepakKLLah promotional campaign, Gaya Travel rounds up six of these key attractions in Kuala Lumpur that worth visiting again, even if you have done so in the past.

1. Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia www.iamm.org.my Topping the list is one of the most prestigious museums in Malaysia dedicated in safeguarding and preserving some of the finest Islamic works of art. Opened since December 1998, it currently houses over 12,000 valuable artefacts of the Islamic civilisation as far back as the 7th century, including delicate ceramics, jewelleries, original manuscripts to colourful textiles. Architecture aficionados should not miss the gallery featuring replicas of famous mosques around the world because each of them is represented in great detail, leaving visitors in awe. Be sure to also look out for the original 1964 Kiswa (the door curtain for the Ka’aba), an undoubtedly rare exhibit not easily witnessed anywhere else. For a full experience, wrap up your visit at the onsite restaurant, MOZA, which specialises in delicacies from West Asia.

Entrance fees: MYR14 per adult / MYR7 per child

2. The River of Life www.klriver.org Enjoy the cool night air with a stroll along the River of Life, where the Klang and the Gombak rivers converge. It is located behind the Masjid Jamek and Sultan Abdul Samad building, which are also icons in their own right. This converging point lights up at night with striking blue colour, and even features a ‘Dancing Symphony Fountain’ that incorporates water jets that play rhythmically according to music. The fountain show begins at 9.15pm.

3. Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex www.kraftangan.gov.my/en Taking pride as the one-stop centre to champion traditional Malaysian traditional artisanship, this complex is housed in a Malay Terengganu-inspired building. It not only makes handmade handicrafts from all parts of Malaysia more accessible, but also educates the community on the importance of preserving their heritage. Its Craft Village allows visitors to get up close with local artisans who skilfully do their work, while the onsite museum exhibits the evolving manufacturing technologies related to producing the handicrafts. Of course, the complex has several shops where visitors could get their hands on well-made products at competitive prices, including our personal pick: exquisite hand-painted stainless steel tiffin brand, Jeiwa.

4. MinNature Malaysia minnature.com This is an ideal edutainment centre for both children and adults. Located within the Summit USJ Shopping Complex, Subang Jaya, MinNature Malaysia is the world’s largest three-dimensional printed miniature wonderland with over 1,600 kilograms of ABS plastic used to create every model within the exhibition. The gallery boasts eight sections of varying themes representing the unique cultural heritage of Malaysia such as people, food and landmarks found in the nation. To make the exhibition more interactive, there are over 120 push buttons around the gallery that bring the exhibits alive through sounds, lights and movements. The gallery could also host a scavenger hunt for group visitors, especially young children, here in the gallery should they want to take the fun up a notch.

Entrance fees: MYR25 per adult / MYR20 per child

5. Umbrella Walk, Brickfields Street Art After giving what used to be a filthy alley along Jalan Thambipillay a much-needed makeover, the area is now becoming a landscape for local creativity. Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) along with a group of street artists have spruced up the area with explosions of vibrant colours, including an installation of umbrella canopies that somewhat shield pedestrians from heat and rain. And while you’re here, be sure to explore the area since it is filled with well-preserved historical gems such as the Moghul-style Vivekananda Ashram, The Hundred Quarters that have been around since 1915, and a pre-World War II traditional Malay house in front of the Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple.

6. National Museum of Malaysia www.muziumnegara.gov.my Malaysia’s National Museum sits on top of the site of the former Selangor Museum, which was partially destroyed in a blast at the end of World War II. Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, revived the site by building a completely new structure inspired by the traditional Minangkabau architecture and added specimens of flora and fauna apart from national historical and cultural treasures for the benefit of future generations. Serving as the guardian of the nation’s collective memory, the museum today displays its extensive acquisitions through its four galleries: Prehistory; Early Malay Kingdom; The Colonial Era; and the Malaysia Today.

Entrance fees: MYR2 per visitor / MYR1 for elderly and disabled (OKU)

Sultan Abdul Samad Building when dusk falls (Photo by Deva Darshan on Unsplash)

Where to Stay?

Indie Hotel Kuala Lumpur indiehotels.com.my Nestled within the neighbourhood of Jalan Ceylon close to Bukit Bintang, Indie Hotel is meant for urban dwellers who are hungry for excitement that the city offers. A quick five-minute walk brings guests to Changkat, a notable street dining district. Another 15-minute walk gets them to the busiest commercial triangle in the capital comprising major shopping malls and more top-notch dining options. Back at the hotel, Indie dazzles with its minimalist yet neverboring design, boasting a towering, white-washed façade that is unmistakably contemporary. The rooms are spacious and equipped with wireless internet access, minibar, coffee- & tea-making facilities, iron with board, hair dryer, 40-inch LED flat screen TV with premium channels, glass enclosed standing shower, inroom safe, large word desk with ergonomic chair, and luxurious pillow top beds.

Gaya Travel Magazine team members extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau for its tremendous support for us to consistently promote the city’s unique attractions.