The Top 10 Things to Do And See in Kuala Lumpur

Merdeka Square is the Independence Square in Kuala Lumpur, an iconic landmark fo Malays as it was here that the Union Flag was lowered and the Malayan flag hoisted for the first time at midnight on 31 August 1957. And it is here also where the annual National Day Parade is held in honor of this independence, with the country’s flags flying enthusiastically and patriotic songs sung by various performers. Take a two minute walk from here and you will arrive at the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, an imposing structure housing the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture of Malaysia. The clock tower here, oftentimes referred to as the ‘Big Ben of Malaysia’, was built between 1894 and 1896 when the city was under the rule of the British. It is interesting to see how these archaic, historical buildings are integrated with the other modern skyscrapers of the area, and the cityscape is particularly arresting at night when the buildings are illuminated by thousands of lights.

Jalan Alor is an area famous for its night market in Kuala Lumpur. Sometimes known as the Jalan Alor Food Street, this is a vivid, vibrant place where you can find all types of culinary wonders, with a main focus being on Chinese noodle dishes with meat or seafood. Only open at night, the coconut ice-cream is a must-try here. Be careful of the cars crawling to get past the growing crowds on busy evenings.

Opening hours: depends on different stalls and restaurants, usually 5pm-12am

The Kuala Lumpur City Gallery tells the story of Kuala Lumpur, or KL as it’s known to locals, through pictures, objects and exhibitions. It’s an enthralling tourist information center set in an 114-year-old colonial-style building, and exhibits paintings and mock ups of famous city landmarks as well as a detailed timeline chronicling the city’s transformation, from its 19th century origins all the way through to its present-day state. This timeline includes some interesting pictures on the construction of the aforementioned Petronas Twin Towers, too. The museum also illustrates the multicultural element of the city by displaying national costumes such as baju kurungs, sarees and cheong sams.