Get to Know Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

April 02, 2013

Get to Know Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Merdeka Square area from Kuala Lumpur City Gallery's window

First of all, I would like to dedicate this article for my fellas expatriate and Vietnamese friends in Vietnam. When I attending many networking events in town, most of them ever heard about Malaysia but still didn't have chance, or never think of visiting my beautiful country.

The question here, do you know that travelling by air from Ho Chi Minh City to Kuala Lumpur is almost the same distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi? Do you know that most of the time, the flight ticket by Malaysia Airlines or AirAsia to Kuala Lumpur is always much more cheaper then the Vietnam Airlines fare from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi?

Just close your eyes about the political issues and LGBT's banned issues here. This wide-English speaking country will always welcome you with distinguish Asian cuisine, excellent hospitality, and of course South East Asia's shopping parade.

Merdeka Square

Wandering around Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square) is a very interesting experience. This area had witnessed the British's Union Jack flag was lowered down and replaced by Malaysian's Jalur Gemilang in the midnight of 31st August 1957. Besides, there are many other important national events was held at this Dataran Merdeka as well.

Merdeka Square with Selangor Royal Club on the left side

This Dataran Merdeka or known as Padang Kelab Selangor is located at former administration centre of Kuala Lumpur. At first, it was a cricket field for Royal Selangor Club. Around this field are the historical Royal Selangor Club building, Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, National Historical Museum, National Textile Museum, Memorial Library and the St. Mary Aglican Cathedral, a church with Gothic style which was built over 100 years ago.

Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad

This building is one of the most important landmark which was build by British and its facing to the Merdeka Square. The building was beautifully built in Moorish style in 1897 and used to be office for some important departments during British administration in Tanah Melayu.

Sultan Abdul Samad Building with Kuala Lumpur Tower and KL skylines as background

Part of Sultan Abdul Samad Building

The Moorish Islamic architecture style of Sultan Abdul Samad Building

Sultan Abdul Samad Building and the right side building is Dayabumi, which used to be the earliest skycrapper in Malaysia

Royal Selangor Club

This half Tudor style building was build in year 1890 and used to be a place to watch cricket on Sunday evening. This building is totally different with the Moorish style of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building which located opposite to this Royal Selangor Club.

The Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur City Gallery

Kuala Lumpur City Gallery is situated at the historical site of Merdeka Square. This is one of the good place for you to learn about Kuala Lumpur through printed material, pictures and KL's miniature models initiated by ARCH. This gallery also act as a Tourism Information Centre and visiting this place should be the first place to visit when arriving to Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur City Gallery

At the other part of this gallery, you can see a vast selections of miniature models out for grab as souvenier. Keychain, KL's house and building miniature and photo frames are among the best choice to grab. Anyway, it is not cheap though.