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Kuala Lumpur
Shopping and Sightseeing
Around Malaysia’s ‘Muddy River Mouth’
When Chinese Kapitan Yap Ah Loy took over the administration of a sleepy mining town surrounding a muddy confluence three centuries ago, little did he know that 150 years later it would become a bustling capital city and one of the most popular shopping hubs in South East Asia.
Kuala Lumpur (or KL) literally means ‘muddy river mouth’, in this case where the rather muddy Gombak and Klang Rivers merge. Its exact original spot is still a busy area as one of the city’s main mosques, the Masjid Jamek is located right beside it. The mosque is also the central point of two Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations which connect most of KL’s attractions.
When in KL, go shopping! You can choose from any of the high-end shopping centres around the Golden Triangle like the Suria KLCC, Pavillion or Starhill. Huge malls such as the Mid Valley Megamall or One Utama shopping mall (both outside the main city centre) are also popular among locals.
A Cultural Pot-Pourri
To explore KL, start at Masjid Jamek. The nearby Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Masjid India (Little India) are popular among the Malays and the latter, as its name suggests, offers a mix of Indian and Malay stuff. It is especially busy during the Muslim Eid and Deepavali, the Hindu festival of lights. A short walk to the other side of Masjid Jamek takes you to Chinatown, popular among locals and tourists alike for its food, imitation goods and colourful setting.
From there, you can walk to Central Market. Almost as old as KL itself, this former wet market is now the commercial hot-spot for Malaysian heritage items with shops and traders selling everything Malaysian from cakes and cookies to costumes while artists paint in its more secluded corners. There are free cultural performances on weekends, such as Wayang Kulit (Shadow Plays), Malay and Indian traditional theatres, and Chinese operas.
Bits of History...
Next to Central Market is the Dayabumi Complex – one of KL’s first skyscrapers- which houses the main Post Office, banks and offices. Not far from Dayabumi are the beautiful Moor-styled Sultan Abdul Samad building with its clock tower and Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square). The former was previously the location of the courthouses for several decades until recently when the lower courts were moved to the KL Court Complexes in another part of the city while the higher courts are now in the new administration centre of Putrajaya.
 Dataran Merdeka, directly opposite the Sultan Abdul Samad building, is where the independence of Malaya was first proclaimed on 31st August 1957. One of the world’s tallest flagpoles stands at its southern end where there is also a stage that is used for public performances. To this day, National Day celebrations and other parades are held there. This area is beautiful at night, with lights lighting up the trees and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building itself.
The National History Museum and Tudor-styled Royal Selangor Club as well as the St Mary’s Cathedral, are on each side of the square. The club was originally a meeting place for high-ranking members of the British society. Behind the cathedral you once again arrive at the Gombak River as it flows towards Masjid Jamek.
... Blending With The Modern
 Slightly outside KL’s main area is The National Museum. From there, as you travel towards the town centre you will see the old Train Station and National Mosque- both beautiful buildings, the former also of Moorish design. In the surrounding areas are the National Planetarium and the Museum of Islamic Art, all tucked within a beautiful, tranquil green belt of parks and gardens.
Head for the KL Tower on Bukit Nanas for a breathtaking view of the city and beyond. Bukit Nanas itself is within a forest reserve and there are several schools including an old convent as well as the St John’s Cathedral, all of them pre-war and beautifully designed, located here. There are plenty of Hindu and Chinese temples within the city too, with their own distinctive design and architecture. You’ll never be short of material to photograph!
Do not restrict yourself to the city centre as there is plenty of fun to be had in the outskirts too- including in the City of Entertainment, Genting Highlands. KL is a good starting point also for visiting the rest of the country. Remember too that Malaysian food is an entity that blends the cuisine of different races in the country. There is food everywhere, of all types, at all times. So don’t forget to sample the different delicacies KL has to offer.
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