SULTAN
ABDUL SAMAN
BUILDING
A stately,
historic building rich in character, it was built in 1897 to house
several important government departments during the British
administration. This Moorish-inspired building, topped by a shiny copper
dome and a 40m high clock tower, is a major landmark in the city.
It serves as the backdrop for important events such as the National Day
Parade on August 31 and the ushering in of the New Year. This heritage
buildings now occupied by the Supreme Court and the Textile Museum.
RUMAH
PENGHULU
ABU
SEMAN
The
heritage centre of the Badan Warisan Malaysia (Heritage of Malaysia
Trust) is located in a mock Tudor building dating from 1925. In the
garden is a bamboo hut built by Orang Asli of the Temiar community and a
restored Malay timber house known as the Rumah Penghulu. This was
formerly the residence of a local headman in Kedah. It is beautifully
decorated throughout with intricate carvings and has been furnished to
reflect a house in the early thirties with some wedding accoutrements. A
guided tour and viewing of a video documentary on the restoration is
available.
The centre hosts regular exhibitions with a heritage theme and has a
gift shop and reference library.
NATION
SPORTS
COMPLEX
The
National Sports Complex situated on a 200 acre site in Bukit Jalil is
the venue for sports and other functions. It houses the National
Stadium, Putra Stadium, National Aquatic Centre, National Hockey Stadium
and National Squash Centre. Traditional carvings adorn the main entrance
of the National Stadium which was the venue for the opening, closing
ceremonies and the track and field events during the Kuala Lumpur '98
XVI Commonwealth Games.
THE
FAMILY
PARK
The family park consists of two rugby
fields, two soccer fields, a sepak takraw court, beach volley ball,
basket ball courts plus a children's playground.
Changing rooms, food stalls, surau (prayer room) and bathrooms are
provided. Camping area for scouts with basic facilities plus training
equipment for obstacle and endurance activities.
KUALA
LUMPUR
RAILWAY
STATION
Built in 1910, the station is yet
another heritage building that reflects the influence of Moorish
architecture.
It was extensively renovated in 1986 to provide air-conditioned comfort
and modern facilities for rail passengers. From this station, passengers
can travel to most cities and towns on Peninsular Malaysia's west coast
and to Tumpaton the east coast. There are also train services to
Singapore and Thailand.
THE
NATIONAL
THEATER
Permanent home of the National
Theatre Company and the National Symphony Orchestra, the National
Theatre is responsible for the development of all forms of theatrical
art in Malaysia.
Designed as a functional building which not only reflects the beauty of
form, the National Theatre is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment
while still retaining the national heritage and traditional Malay
design.
Drama, dance and musical performances are held regularly. |
DATARAN
MERDEKA
Facing the Sultan Abdul Samad Building is Dataran Merdeka or Merdeka
Square, an immaculately-tufted 8.2 hectare area of historical interest.
A 100 meter-high flagpole marks the spot where the Malayan Flag was
hoisted on August 31, 1957 signifying the independence of the country
from British rule. At the opposite end of the square is an inviting spot
where visitors can relax amid soothing rushing waters of fountains,
elegant colonnades and colorful beds of zinnias and marigolds. Beneath
the square is Plaza Putra, an underground food, leisure and
entertainment complex.NATIONAL
MOSQUE
This uniquely designed mosque
embodies a contemporary expression of traditional Islamic art,
calligraphy and ornamentation. Its most striking feature is the
multi-fold umbrella-like roof which symbolizes the aspirations of an
independent nation. Standing prominently against the skyline is the
sleek and stylish 73m high minaret.
The national mosque serves serves as the principal mosque for the city
dwellers.
CAMMONWEALTH
HILL
AND FAMILY
PARK
Located at the north of the National
Sports Complex is a memorial park for the Kuala Lumpur '98 Commonwealth
Games Commonwealth Hill. Major plazas located here are Plaza Bendera,
Plaza Komanwel, Plaza Central which highlight the history and
information on all the nations which took part in the Kuala Lumpur '98
Games.
Plaza Pandangan (Scenic Plaza) is the highest point from where you can
get a breathtaking view of the National Sports Complex and Kuala Lumpur
skyline.
Trees surrounding a man made lake reflect the abundance of Malaysia's
natural tropical resources.
SUNGAI
KUYOH
This landscaped garden is a
recreational area for a leisure stroll along the river. Lush and shady
trees line the river bank.
Exercise stations are provided at certain places along the rive bank for
light work-outs making it a pleasant experience.
NATIONAL
ART
GALLERY
Located
on a 5.67 acres site at Jalan Temerloh, the National Art Gallery is
flanked by the National Theatre and the National Library.
Built with aesthetics and functionality in mind, the art gallery creates
a space for the preservation, development, exploration and
experimentation of the various facets of art in Malaysia. There are a
number of galleries housing various permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Amenities available include a creative centre, a sculpture garden, a
photography and graphics studio, and auditorium, a library, a
restoration space, a book shop and a cafe.
NATIONALPLANETARIUM
This
blue-domed structure is situated atop a hill in KL Lake Gardens. Its
attractions include the space theatre whit screens space shows and
movies. In the main hall are permanent exhibits related to space
science. Among them is Arianne IV space engine - one of the engines used
to launch MEASAT I, Malaysia's first satellite into space. Head towards
the Observatory where on a full moon you can see the heavenly bodies
through the 14-inch telescope. The planetarium extends to a space theme
park where replicas of ancients observatories are sited. The planetarium
is connected by an overhead pedestrian bridge to the National Museum. |
ORCHID
GARDEN
Walk under pergolas, delighting in the exotic blooms of orchids or
stroll through orchid-lined walkways! Buy a plant specimen as a memento
of your visit to KL! Over 800
varieties
of orchids, including the exotic species, thrive abundantly on this 1
hectare floral paradise. Cut flowers and plants are sold on weekend.
Orchid growers at the garden provide practical tips and advice on the
art of orchid growing.
BUTTERFLY
PARK
More than 15,000 plants have been used to create this tropical
rainforest setting of this park. It houses over 6,000 butterflies. There
is a nursery and breeding area for butterflies.
KUALA
LUMPUR
BIRD
PARK
One of the largest bird parks in the region the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park
houses over 5,000 birds, with 90% local and 10% imported from overseas.
The park spans 2-8 hectares of enclosure, 3.2 hectares of free flight
aviary and 0.5 hectare devoted to the hornbill. |
HIBISCUS
GARDEN
Hibiscus, the 'Queen of Tropical
Flowers' thrives in glorious shades in this garden where over 500
varieties are grown. Among them is the rosa sinensis, Malaysia's
national flower.
DEER
PARK
Roaming in idyllic bliss amid ponds, trees and dense hectares enclosure,
are spotted deer from Holland. Look Out, too, for the elusive Kancil,
the mousedeer from Malaysia's rainforest.
NATIONAL
MONUMENT
Designed
by the famous sculptor, Felix de Weldon, this 15.54m high bronze
monument was constructed in 1966 to honor the country's fallen heroes
during the Communist in urgency. It is one of the largest freestanding
sculptures in the world.
ASEAN
SCULPTURE
GARDEN
Waterscape and landscape is combined harmoniously in this garden located
just below the National Monument. It has a collection of prize-winning
sculptures by some of the finest artists in the ASEAN region. |