Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
227
its spectacular Independence Day celebrations on the field, which is home to the world's
tallest flagpole, standing at 100m (328 ft.).
Jalan Sultan. Free admission.
National Art Gallery
In a tranquil complex that combines traditional M alay archi-
tectural elements with modern lines, the nation 's most pr ominent ar t galler y claims a
permanent collection of o ver 2,500 works, most by Malaysia's most celebrated contem-
porary artists. The museum has six galleries, plus outdoor exhibitions and a cafe.
2 Jalan Temerloh off Jalan Tun Razak.
&
03/4025-4990.
www.artgallery.com.my. Free admission. Daily
10am-6pm.
National Mosque (Masjid Negar a)
Built in a modern design, the most distin-
guishing features of the mosque ar e its 73m (239-ft.) minar et and the umbr ella-shaped
roof, which is said to symbolize a newly independent Malaysia's aspirations for the future.
Could be tr ue, as the place was built in 1965, the y ear Singapore split fr om Malaysia.
Visitors need to dress respectfully.
Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin (near the KL Railway Station). Free admission. Daily 9am-6pm.
National Museum (Muzim Negara)
Located at Lake Gardens, the museum
has many items of historical, cultural, and traditional significance, including ar t, weap-
ons, musical instruments, and costumes. Most are a little tired.
Jalan Damansara.
&
03/2282-6255.
www.museum.gov.my. Adults RM2 (60¢/35p), childr en under 11
and under free. Daily 9am-6pm.
National Planetarium
Kids
In 2007, Malaysia's first astronaut went into space. The
National P lanetarium has a S pace H all with touch-scr een interactiv e computers and
hands-on experiments, a Viewing Gallery with binoculars for city views, and an Observa-
tory Park with models of Chinese and I ndian astronomy systems. Sadly, the displays are
not all functioning properly.
Lake G ardens.
&
03/2273-5484.
A dmission t o exhibition hall adults RM3 (85¢/55p), childr
13
en RM2
(60¢/35p). Tues-Sun 10am-4pm.
Petaling Street
This is the center of KL 's Chinatown district. By day, stroll past
hawker stalls, dim sum shops, w et markets, and all sor ts of shops, fr om pawnshops to
coffin makers. A t night, a crazy bazaar (which is terribly cr owded) pops up—look for
designer knockoffs, fake watches, and pirated CDs and D VDs here.
Petronas Twin Towers
Standing at an aw esome 452m (1,483 ft.) abo ve street
level, with 88 stories, the to wers were the tallest buildings in the world fr om 1998 to
2004 (when Taipei 101 snatched the title). From the outside, the structures are designed
with the kind of geometric patterns common to I slamic architecture, and on lev els 41
and 42 the two towers are linked by a bridge. Visitors are permitted on the viewing deck
on the bridge fr om 9am to 7pm ev ery day except Mondays and public holidays; other-
wise, the building is accessible only if y ou are conducting business inside. Limited fr ee
tickets go fast, so line up early.
Kuala Lumpur City Centre.
&
03/2051-7770.
www.petronastwintowers.com.my. Free admission, but
tickets are limited.
Sri Mahamariaman Temple
This bright temple livens the gray street scene around
it. It's a beautiful temple tucked away in a narr ow street in KL's Chinatown area, which
was built by Thambusamy Pillai, a pillar of old KL's Indian community.
Jalan Bandar. Free admission.
