SEA-15-Book 1.indb

MALAYSIA

lonelyplanet.com KUALA LUMPUR •• Sights

SIGHTS

Six-lane highways and flyovers may slice up
the city but the best way to get a feel for KL’s
atmosphere is to walk.

Chinatown & Merdeka Square

Circuitous streets and cramped chaos cre-
ate a pressure-cooker of sights and sounds
in Chinatown. Jln Petaling is a bustling street
market selling souvenirs, such as ‘authentic’
Levis and cheap Crocs; it opens around 10am
and shuts late at night.
Chinese coffee shops are along Jln
Panggong and Jln Balai Polis (Map p442 ).
You’ll spot temples and shophouses in the
side streets –check out KL’s principal Hindu
temple, Sri Mahamariamman Temple (Map p442 ;
Jln Tun HS Lee).

Heading north you’ll find the one-time

cricket field formerly known as the Padang,

Merdeka Square (Map p442 ; Jln Raja Laut), where

Malaysia’s independence (Merdeka) was pro-

claimed in 1957. Today it’s a choice spot to see

some fetching colonial architecture. South is

the old railway station (Map p442 ; Jln Hishamuddin), a

fanciful castle of Islamic arches and spires.

Masjid Negara (National Mosque; Map p442 ; Jln Perdana;

h9am-12.30pm, 2-3.30pm & 5-6.30pm) is one of

Southeast Asia’s largest mosques. The main

dome is an 18-point star, that symbolises the 13

states of Malaysia and the five pillars of Islam.

Chinatown is reached on the Putra LRT to

Pasar Seni station or on the KL Monorail to

Maharajalela station.

Little India & Around

Little India has all the feel of a bazaar. The

sari shops and the women shopping along

Jln Masjid India, the district’s main street, are

swathed in vibrant sherbets, turquoise and

vermilions. Meanwhile Indian pop blasts

through tinny speakers, and musky incense

and delicious spices flavour the air. The dis-

trict swings into a full spectacle during the

Saturday pasar malam (night market). On

the 1st and 3rd weekends of every month

CapSquare (Map p442 ; http://www.capsquare.com.my) also

hosts a bazaar that features food and fashion

as well as some interesting knick-knacks.

Masjid Jamek (Friday Mosque; Map p442 ; off Jln Tun

Perak; h8.30am-12.30pm & 2.30-4pm, closed Fri 11am-

2.30pm), set in a grove of palm trees, is KL’s

most delightful mosque. Built in 1907, the

mosque is a creation of onion domes and

minarets of layered pink and cream bricks.

Yet to open at the time of research is the

Bank Negara Malaysia Museum & Art Gallery (Map

p442 ; http://museum.bnm.gov.my) in a futuristic,

metal-clad complex west of Jln Kuching.

Little India is best reached on the Star or

Putra LRT to Masjid Jamek station.

Golden Triangle

A forest of high-rises, the Golden Triangle is

central KL’s business, shopping and entertain-

ment district.

Sitting on a forested hill, Menara Kuala Lumpur

(KL Tower; Map p444 ; %2020 5448; http://www.menarakl.com

.my; 2 Jln Punchak; adult/child RM38/28; h9am-10pm;

last tickets up 9.30pm) easily trumps the Petronas

Towers when it comes to the view. The tower’s

bulbous pinnacle is inspired by a Malaysian

spinning top and the 276m-high viewing

INFORMATION

Main Post Office...................................................................... 1 B

Telekom Malaysia................................................................... 2 C

SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES

Bank Negara Malaysia Museum & Art Gallery............... 3 A

CapSquare ................................................................................ 4 C

Masjid Jamek ........................................................................... 5 B

Masjid Negara.......................................................................... 6 A

Merdeka Square...................................................................... 7 B

Old Railway Station ............................................................... 8 B

Sri Mahamariamman Temple............................................. 9 B

SLEEPINGi

Coliseum Hotel..................................................................... 10 B

Grocer's Inn ........................................................................... 11 C

Lee Mun Guest House........................................................ 12 C

Original Backpackers Travellers Inn .............................. 13 C

Wheelers Guest House ...................................................... 14 B

EATING@

Food Court ............................................................................ 15 C

Ikan panggang stall ............................................................ 16 C

Sagar........................................................................................ 17 C

Sangeetha.............................................................................. 18 C

Sing Seng Nam..................................................................... 19 B

ENTERTAINMENTÀ

Central Market...................................................................... 20 B

SHOPPINGf

Pasar Malam.......................................................................... 21 C

TRANSPORT

Buses for Batu Caves .......................................................... 22 C

BusestoKualaTembeling(HotelMandarin

Pacific) ................................................................................. 23 C

Buses to Kuala Tembeling (Swiss Inn) .......................... 24 C

Jl Sultan Mohammed Bus Stop....................................... 25 B

Klang Bus Station ................................................................ 26 B

Lebuh Ampang Bus Stop.................................................. 27 C

Long-distance taxis .......................................................... (see 29)

Medan Pasar Bus Stop ....................................................... 28 B

Puduraya Bus Station......................................................... 29 D

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