All the megacities in the world have history wrapped around them in layers. The center of the town is usually the core around which the city grows. And one day this core becomes the core tourist attraction. To visit the earliest days of a city you have to visit this center wherein lies the beginning of these great cities. So on my last day in Malaysia, I went to the beginnings of Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur Heritage Walks will take you through the details.
Took a heritage walk that starts from the central market here and takes you around the beautiful heritage buildings of the city.
Allow me to take you on a heritage walk around Kuala Lumpur with me.
Kuala Lumpur Heritage Walks
The confluence of two muddy rivers Gombak and Klang gives Kuala Lumpur its name which literally means “Confluence of muddy rivers”. So when you see the pale brown rivers through the city, understand they are not dirty, they are muddy. Around these rivers and their meeting point were the Tin mines that brought the first inhabitants to the city. The whole economy developed around the tin mines.
It first became a settlement and then a town. Houses here used to be made from wood and thatch. But they were all gutted in a fire that broke out in 1881. And after that, the brick and tile houses were built, as Kuala Lumpur was rebuilt almost from scratch.
Different communities lived in different directions from the central point of the town. Chinese lived in what is now China Town. Indians around what is now Jalan Tun Perak and British around what is now Merdeka Square.
Central Market
The central market is the area where there used to be an open market, a market for everyday things like vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, and groceries. The new modern Central Market that you see today was built later. As the earlier market square had to be shifted to make way for the British area. As you walk out of the air-conditioned market, you will see a row of small carts used by hawkers to sell food. And other small items and an open ceiling designed to resemble a kite.
There are a few old shops that sell so many varieties of fish. For a no-fish-knowledge person like me, it was a revelation that dried fish is such a big market. As an Indian, the shops seem very similar to the ones that we find in our old markets.
Heritage Buildings
Go to the market and you would see a cobbled square with colonial buildings. With their typical arches, colored facades slanted roofs, and pillared corridors. In an attempt to preserve the heritage structures and also make space for the new ones, we saw a building whose façade is being maintained while the rest of the building has been brought down. A star-shaped, light grey tall building with latticework is the original Petronas tower, called DayaBhoomi.
Our guide explained the star shape of the building and the fact that Jaali has been carved with Islamic symbols of the moon and stars. Crossing over the confluence of rivers, you reach the Masjid Jamek, which may be better known as an LRT station.
Masjid Jamek
This 1909 CE built mosque combines Moorish and Mughal architecture with the style of arches following the former and that of domes following the latter. Masjid Jamek is built in unusual rustic brick and white color that makes it look very pleasing on a hot summer day. Symmetry is followed like all the Islamic buildings. As non-Muslims, we could go around the Mosque but not inside, but we could see the prayer halls for men and women. And we could admire the architecture as we took a round around the building.
Big and small domes along with big and small minarets create different scenes from different angles. Along with some coconut trees and birds. Apparently, this is the only place in KL where you can find coconut trees.
Merdeka Square or Independence Square
We walked over to Merdeka or Independence Square which has a lot of stories to tell. Here you see a huge double-storeyed Pink Sultan Abdul Samad building with copper domes that were apparently gifted by Australia and a clock tower. This building was used to house the courts of Malaysia. But after they were moved to the new capital Putrajaya, this building now houses the office of the Ministry of Information Technology and Culture.
Opposite this building is a ground lined with palm trees and Malaysian flags. This is the parade ground for the national parade and I assume many other events.
Kuala Lumpur City Gallery on Kuala Lumpur Heritage Walks
Across the ground, our last stop was at the City Gallery. That has a huge I love KL sign to click pictures with. The entrance of the gallery has a huge map of KL. A huge board gives interesting tidbits about the city along with explaining the various architectures through sketch diagrams. Inside the gallery, there are models of all the heritage buildings of the city and old photographs of the city.
Followed by an Arch gallery that makes the unique heritage depicting wooden mementos and souvenirs from thin wood. I am lucky to receive one such memento from the Tourism Minister of Malaysia.
Recommend you to read the following posts on Things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia’s favorite Petronas twin towers
Malaysia’s tallest structure – KL Tower
Nice to learn about the origins of KL. Nice pictures, Anuradha.
Thank you D.
I loved the infographic/poster on the architecture, it’s beautiful.
Just the kind of travel articles I love reading.