Attractions in Central KL (Kuala Lumpur)

Sze Ya Temple

The Sze Ya Temple or Sin Sze Si Ya Temple is one of the oldest and most revered Buddhist temples in Malaysia. At times, it is referred to as the Yap Ah Loy's temple. Originally housed in a small hut, the temple was rebuilt in 1882 in brick and tiles comprising a main hall and two side halls. It was built by Kapitan Cina Yap Ah Loy in memory of Kong Seng, a tin mine tycoon who was murdered in one of the many confrontations between tycoons from Kuala Lumpur and Seremban. Sze Ya is tucked behind shops and houses, creating the unusual angles of the walls, arches and stairways.

Masjid India

It began as a wood hut in 1863, now it is an imposing three-storey building with a capacity of 3,500 people. The mosque, built in the southern Indian style, is a three-storey structure with domed chatris (open-sided umbrella-shaped cupolas) and arched windows with Islamic motifs. The single minaret is topped by a chatri. It has vertically-striped ventilators intersected by balconies. The first floor is a prayer hall reserved for the men and the second floor is for women. General assemblies are held on the ground floor. Services are conducted in Arabic and Tamil languages.

Tun Abdul Razak Memorial

This memorial was once the official residence of the late Tun Abdul Razak, the second prime minister of Malaysia who was hailed as the "father of development." Built in October 1961, the property was converted into a memorial to honor his vast contributions to the development of the nation and its people. This impressive building holds a wide collection of his personal artifacts, documents and reading materials. The interior displays his rooms set with original furniture and his private collection of walking sticks. Outside are his speed boat and golf cart. Guided tours are available by appointment.

National Monument

Close to Parliament House stands the National Monument--a great bronze sculpture erected to commemorate the soldiers who gave up their lives in the triumph over the Communists. Constructed in 1966, it is reputed to be one of the world's largest free-standing bronze sculptures. Standing 15.54 meters tall, the sculpture was designed by the American sculptor Felix de Weldon and portrays seven men from the Malaysian Armed Forces holding the national flag, each symbolizing one of seven qualities: leadership, unity, strength, vigilance, suffering, courage and sacrifice.

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

Located in the serene and scenic Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Perdana), the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is a bird sanctuary and tropical paradise for nature lovers and over 160 species of birds. Spanning three hectares of verdant valley terrain, it is one of the largest parks in Southeast Asia. Featuring thousands of birds representing nearly every major species of this region, the park is also a haven for varied plants with lush foliage. Stroll through the maze of walkways and break for a scenic picnic amidst the greenery at rest stops scattered throughout the park. Check the website for full details including admission prices.

Taman Tasik Perdana Lake Gardens

The brainchild of Alfred Venning, the British State Treasurer in the 1880s, this botanical garden in the heart of Kuala Lumpur is the city dweller's favorite rendezvous retreat. Nestled deep in the city center near Jalan Parlimenare are these sprawling green lawns, rolling hills and blooming gardens. Lake Gardens offers locals and visitors a wide range of facilities such as playgrounds, jogging tracks, exercise stations and rowing boats while other attractions within the park include a bird park, a butterfly park, and flower gardens.

Sultan Abdul Samad Building

Visitors will love this distinctive landmark in KL, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Moorish in design, this building, completed in 1897, was formerly the seat of the British colonial government. Perhaps the most photographed building in the city, it features a 40-meter clock tower affectionately dubbed "Big Ben", topped with a golden dome and flanked on both sides by two domed towers. During state occasions, colored lights twinkle in the arches, making it look like a scene from an Arabian Nights' tale.

Orchid Garden

Feast your eyes on exotic species of orchid hybrids at this beautiful garden. Situated at one corner of the Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Perdana), the Kuala Lumpur Orchid Garden has more than 800 species of Malaysian orchids and attracts flower-lovers from all over the world. Orchids are a Malaysian favorite with both commercial gardeners and hobbyists, and come weekends, this garden becomes a gleeful orchid bazaar.

Parliament House

Set atop the hill in the scenic Lake Garden (Taman Tasik Perdana), Parliament House is a symbol of democracy in Malaysia. Officially opened in 1963, the complex accommodates two houses of the Malaysian Parliament, the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) and the Dewan Negara (the Senate). One of the prominent features of the 20-level tower is an open-sided terrace commanding a magnificent view of Kuala Lumpur. The public may not enter without an authorization letter; contact officials by mail prior to your visit.

Kuala Lumpur Tower (Menara Kuala Lumpur)

Built in 1995, this statuesque tower that reaches an imposing height of 421 meters is currently the fifth tallest in the world. One of the distinctive architectural features of Menara Kuala Lumpur is a dome-shaped arch at every doorway on the upper ground floor, decorated with glass pieces that illuminate like giant diamonds. Visitors can enjoy a bird's eye view of the city from either the height of the observation deck or from the revolving restaurant. Check website for full details.

Masjid Jamek

Officially opened on the 23rd of December 1909 by the then-Sultan of Selangor, this is the city's oldest surviving mosque. Located at the tip of Sungai Kelang and Sungai Gombak, Masjid Jamek was built by the notable British architect, A.B. Hubback and designed after the Moghul mosque in North India. Cupolas and minarets top the brick walls and arched colonnades. Three domes surmount the prayer hall; the central dome is 21.3 meters high and is flanked by two lower domes. Until the opening of the Masjid Negara (the national mosque)in 1965, Masjid Jamek served as Kuala Lumpur's principal mosque.

National Mosque (Masjid Negara)

Built in 1965, the national mosque is Malaysia's principal mosque and one of the most prominent buildings in the city. The MYR10 million structure stands diagonally opposite the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station in a five-hectare landscaped garden. Reputed as one of the more beautiful mosques in Southeast Asia, its modern design embodies a contemporary expression of traditional Islamic art, calligraphy and ornamentation. The minaret stands 73 meters tall and the bright blue, umbrella-like rooftop is an 18-pointed star. Visitors are welcome but must be respectably dressed.