Showing 1-15 of 15 results
-
Badan Warisan Malaysia
The Malay version of the UK National Trust, Badan Warisan Malaysia is itself housed in a restored colonial mansion. Trustees are campaigning to save similar historic buildings around Malaysia. One of the trust's big success stories was the Rumah Penghulu, moved to the trust headquarters from Kedah. The Trust also holds exhibitions in the mansion, which has a good shop selling antiques, crafts and books on Malay architecture and history.
Guided tours of the Rumah Penghulu (Malay House) are offered twice daily (11am and 3pm) from Monday to Saturday (with the exception of public holidays); a minimum donation of RM 10 per person is requested. Group tours and tours at times other than the regular times can be arranged.
-
Chan She Shu Yuen Temple Library
Boasts 4000 Chinese books.
-
Galeri Petronas
You can swap consumerism for culture at the interesting Galeri Petronas, an art gallery which showcases contemporary photography and paintings. It's a bright, modern space and the work on display often delves deep into Malaysian history and culture. Check the website for details of upcoming shows.
-
Galeri Tangsi
Interesting art space in a heritage building west of Merdeka Square.
-
Islamic Arts Museum
Malaysia's fascinating Islamic history is showcased at the Islamic Arts Museum, which houses one of the best collections of Islamic art in the world. The building itself is full of striking Islamic architectural details and the galleries contain carpets, costumes, textiles, tiles, ceramics, jewellery, weapons and religious manuscripts.
-
Kuala Lumpur Memorial Library Gallery
The Kuala Lumpur Memorial Library is a modern building that uses traditional features to blend into its surroundings. The small gallery on the ground floor has artworks by local student artists and displays on the history of KL.
-
Lake Gardens Park
Just a few hundred metres from busy Chinatown, the urban landscape gives way to sculpted parks and dense tropical jungle. Covering 92 hectares, the Lake Gardens were created during the colonial era as an urban retreat where the British administrators could escape the hurly burly of downtown (as well as people of other races).
-
Muzium Telekom
A few blocks north of the Numismatic Museum, in a striking colonial building housing the Telekom Malaysia office, the reasonably diverting Muzium Telekom has exhibits on the history of telecommunications in Malaysia, with an English or Bahasa commentary on old-fashioned phone handsets.
-
National Art Gallery
Housed in a striking pyramid-shaped block between Jln Tun Razak and the park is KL's main art gallery, showcasing the best of contemporary Malaysian art. The gallery was closed for renovation at the time of writing, but it's set to reopen in 2008 - check locally for the latest information on opening times and entry fees. Next door to the gallery is the Istana Budaya, built according to traditional principles of Malay architecture but almost certainly influenced by the Sydney Opera House.
-
National History Museum
At the south end of the Merdeka Square is the National History Museum, which covers Malaysian history from prehistoric times to the present day. The building was constructed in 1888 and originally housed the first bank in Kuala Lumpur. Inside you can see relics and treasures from the various cultures that preceded the British colonial administration, including the Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms that existed here before the rise of Islam.
-
Advertisement
-
National Museum
Housed in a striking 1960s building styled after a Sarawak longhouse, the National Museum has an extensive but musty collection of exhibits on the history, economy, arts, crafts and culture of Malaysia. The galleries are slowly being renovated but most of the new displays seem to concentrate on the achievements of modern Malay royals and politicians.
-
National Planetarium
Looking more like a mosque than a centre for scientific research, the National Planetarium is a short walk uphill from the Islamic Arts Museum. The planetarium is part of the National Space Agency, and parts of the rocket that launched Malaysia's first satellite are displayed in the main gallery. Planetarium shows (around RM2 to around RM6 depending on the program) take place throughout the day in English and Bahasa.
-
Numismatic Museum
On the ground floor of the Menara Maybank, the Numismatic Museum has a small display of Malaysian coins and banknotes, including early Chinese 'coin trees'. While Europeans preferred to strike coins, the Chinese cast their coins in ceramic moulds, leaving a tree of washer-shaped coins attached to metal 'branches'. The coins were then snapped off and carried around looped on strings.
-
Petrosains
Kids and kidults can fill an educational few hours at Petrosains, an interactive science discovery centre in Suria KLCC. Many of the science-oriented displays and activities focus on the wonderful things that petrol has bought to Malaysia - no prizes for guessing who sponsors the museum. There are all sorts of buttons to press and levers to pull; you don't have to be a boy to enjoy it, but it probably helps.
-
Royal Malaysia Police Museum
Between the Islamic Arts Museum and the Planetarium is the surprisingly interesting Royal Malaysia Police Museum. Inside you can see police uniforms and vehicles, a collection of old swords, cannons and kris, plus some sinister-looking handmade guns and knives seized from members of Malaysia's shady 'secret societies', responsible for most of the organised crime in Malaysia.
Showing 1-15 of 15 results
