Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Return to the station, next to which is the venerable
Masjid Jamek
(
Click here
). Opposite, Jln Melayu
curves around to the covered arcade of market stalls at the pedestrianised end of Jln Masjid India. Pick your way
through the tightly packed stalls to find the Indian Muslim mosque
Masjid India
(
Click here
). The area is a
riot of sari stalls, gold jewellers and DVD and CD shops playing Bollywood soundtracks at full blast. The atmo-
sphere is enhanced on Saturday afternoon when a
pasar malam
(night market) sets up along Lg TAR, the lane
sandwiched between Jln TAR and Jln Masjid India.
Next door to the
Coliseum Theatre
(
Click here
), at the south end of Jln TAR, is another colonial relic - the
Coliseum Cafe
(
Click here
)
, where Somerset Maugham once drank. Stop here for a reviving beer or meal,
then continue north along Jln TAR past scores of colourful fabric shops.
Barely recognisable beneath huge banner ads, another art deco movie house, the
Odeon
, is on the corner at
the crossroads of Jln Dang Wangi and Jln TAR. Head east along Jln Dang Wangi, taking the first road on the left:
on the next corner, opposite the car park, is the grand colonial era
Loke Mansion
(
Click here
).
The parallel street to the east is Jln Doraisamy, a strip of restored shophouses turned into bars, clubs and res-
venerable
kopitiam
(coffee shop)
Yut Kee
(
Click here
). Dang Wangi LRT is nearby.
Titiwangsa & Sentul
NATIONAL VISUAL ARTS GALLERY
ART GALLERY
(Balai Seni Lukis Negara; 4026 7000;
www.artgallery.gov.my
;
2 Jln Temerloh; 10am-6pm; monorail Titi-
wangsa)
F
Occupying a pyramid-shaped block, the NVAG showcases modern and contem-
porary Malaysian art. There are often interesting temporary shows of local and regional
artists, as well as pieces from the gallery's permanent collection of 4000 pieces, including
paintings by Zulkifi Moh'd Dohalan, Wong Hoi Cheong, Ahad Osman and the renowned
batik artist Chuah Than Teng. Overall though, the gallery lacks a wow factor.
The interior is dominated by a swirly Guggenheim Museum-style staircase that
provides access to the main galleries. The side staircases also are used to showcase art-
works. A new addition on the ground floor is the
National Portrait Gallery
.
