Kuala Lumpur Sights

  1. 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.

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  2. Royal Selangor Club

    Along Merdeka Square's western edge is the mock-Tudor Royal Selangor Club, founded in 1884 and still an exclusive social club for the KL elite. It's also the place where world-wide running-and-drinking club the Hash House Harriers kicked off in 1938 (On, On!).

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  3. Rumah Penghulu

    One of the Heritage of Malaysia Trust's big success stories was the Rumah Penghulu, a glorious wooden stilt-house saved from dereliction and moved to the trust headquarters from Kedah.

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  4. Sam Kow Tong Temple

    The small Sam Kow Tong Temple has an impressive dragon roof but a slightly sterile interior.

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  5. Sentul Park Koi Centre

    Discover a little piece of Japan and pools of giant koi carp.

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  6. Sepang International Circuit

    Malays follow soccer and basketball enthusiastically, but the big spectator sport in Kuala Lumpur is motor racing. About 60km south of the centre, the Sepang International Circuit hosts some of the biggest events in Asian motorsports, from the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (in October) to the Petronas Malaysian Formula 1 Grand Prix (in March/April). Events take place throughout the year so check the website for listings or visit the office (2273 9335) in KL Sentral.

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  7. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

    The most striking religious monument in old KL, this Hindu shrine was founded by migrant workers from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu in 1873. Flower-garland vendors crowd the entrance and the temple is crowned by a huge gopuram (temple tower) covered in riotously colourful statues of Hindu deities.

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  8. St Mary's Cathedral

    At the far end of the Merdeka Square is St Mary's Cathedral, looking every inch the white-washed English country church. The church was built in 1894 by the colonial administration and it still maintains a small Anglican congregation. The best time to visit is during the Sunday service.

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  9. Stadium Bola Keranjang

    Basketball games run by the Malaysia Amateur Basketball Association (www.malaysia-basketball.com) take place at the Stadium Bola Keranjang in Chinatown.

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  10. Sultan Abdul Samad Building

    The east side of the Merdeka Square is dominated by the domes and clocktower of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, built as the secretariat for the colonial administration in 1897. It was designed by the India-obsessed architect AC Norman - who also created the Jamek Masjid - and it now houses the Malaysian High Court. There are several more AC Norman constructions along the east side of the square, providing a striking counterpoint to the looming Menara KL and Petronas Towers.

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  12. Sze Ya Temple

    On a narrow alleyway near the Central Market, the Taoist Sze Ya Temple is probably the most atmospheric Chinese temple in KL. The temple was constructed in 1864 on the instructions of Yap Ah Loy, the semi-official founder of Kuala Lumpur. You can see a statue of Yap Ah Loy just left of the main altar. The slightly odd position, squished between rows of shophouses, was determined by feng shui.

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  13. Tabung Haji

    One of Hijas Kasturi's creations, this striking tower houses the Haj pilgrimage funding body. The five main exterior columns represent the five pillars of Islam while the overall structure recalls the drum used to summon pilgrims to the Haj and the shape of a traditional Arabic perfume vessel.

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  14. Taman Tasik Titiwangsa

    Head to this relaxing recreational park surrounding Lake Titiwangsa for a picture postcard view of the city skyline. As well as relaxing walking paths and jolly boating on the lake (from around RM3 per hour), there are tennis courts, squash courts and a remote-controlled car racing track where enthusiasts stage miniature Formula 1s. The park is a favourite spot for courting Malaysian couples (and the religious police on the lookout for improper behaviour).

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  15. Tatt Khalsa Diwan Gurdwara

    Stroll east from the Bazaar Baru Market along Jln Raja Alang to peek at the Tatt Khalsa Diwan Gurdwara, the largest Sikh Temple in Southeast Asia and spiritual home for KL's 75,000 Sikhs.

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  16. Thean Hou Temple

    The Chinese community has created some impressive modern temples around KL, including this ornate temple, just south of Brickfields. Crowning a forested hilltop, this towering shrine is full of gaudy statuary and topped by a soaring dragon roof. The main shrine is dedicated to the Heavenly Mother, Thean Hou, flanked by Guan Yin (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) on the right and Shuiwei Shengniang (the Goddess of the Waterfront) to her left.

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  17. Tugu Drum Circle

    Bang your drum on Sunday afternoons with this drum circle at the National Monument in the Lake Gardens.

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  18. Tun Abdul Razak Memorial

    The Tun Abdul Razak Memorial contains the personal effects, speed boat and golf cart of the second prime minister of Malaysia.

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  19. Wet Market

    Running west of the main market towards Jln Tun HS Lee is Chinatown's pungent Wet Market, where locals shop for fresh fish, vegetables and gruesomely anatomical cuts of meat.

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  20. Wisma Loke

    A story of heritage under threat, Wisma Loke, the fading former home of tin and rubber mogul Loke Yew, is slowly falling into ruin. Similarly threatened are the wooden Malay houses of Kampung Baru, where permission for development is already being granted. In 2005 the government passed the National Heritage Bill which allows the authorities to protect properties of historic note by declaring them heritage buildings.

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  21. World's Longest Mural

    Painted around the perimeter wall of the Pudu Jail is the world's longest mural, a frieze of tropical trees and islands created by prisoners with 2000 litres of paint.

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