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Last October, I had only one day in Kuala Lumpur to go around, so I asked my friends to take me to interesting sites that can represent this beautiful city. We went to see the Petronas Towers, shopped at Petaling Jaya, observed a Hindu ceremony, ate lunch at Central Market, and at dusk, went to Merdeka Square to see the Sultan Abdul Samad Building light up.
The lighted up Sultan Abdul Samad Building across Merdeka Square.
Walking in the streets of Kuala Lumpur from Central Market was a treat in itself. The old structures looked gorgeous, and when we arrived in Merdeka Square, I was awed by the beauty of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Designed by British architect A.C. (Arthur Charles) Norman and built in 1894, it was inspired by the Moorish architecture that Norman saw in India.
The building—which used to be the administrative building of the British—was named after the sultan of Selangor at that time. When Malaysia finally became independent from British colonial rule in 1957, it housed different offices, from the Selangor State Secretariat, the Supreme Court, and to its present occupants, the offices of the Ministry of Information, Communications, and Culture of Malaysia.
From late afternoon onwards, the whole building lights up in different colors, from pink, to red, blue, and purple, changing so gradually before your eyes. While it’s beautiful, some think it’s tacky, and not befitting a building of its age and beauty. I’m not so sold out on it either, but I admit that seeing the lights at dusk does give it a certain kind of charm.
How to go to Merdeka Square: Take the LRT and get off at the Masjid Jamek Station. It’s less than 10 minutes walk, just ask around how to get here.
How about you? What do you think of the lighted up Sultan Abdul Samad Building?
Aleah Taboclaon is a location independent writer, editor, and the travel blogger behind Solitary Wanderer. She's partial to slow travel, and prefers extreme adventures like hiking and caving over sightseeing. She likes running (completed one marathon, training for the next!), diving (PADI open water diver), and traveling with her Kindle. Follow her on Instagram and Pinterest!
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10 Comments. Leave new
hi Aleah,
Thanks for this blog, I am definitely visiting Merdeka Square. I will be going to KL soon, just a quick question, since I think I can get better forex rates here in Manila. Are transactions at tourists spots & restaurants in Ringgit or USD. I was in Cambodia last year and I was surprised that most transactions were done in USD and unfortunately, USD was sold very high in Cambodia. If you can recall, I will really appreciate your reply.
Thanks!
Iza
@ Mary: Thanks for dropping by my blog. Yes, KL has so much more to offer visitors!
Beautiful photo! I think the lights totally add some interest to it at night and not tacky at all. Glad to see another KL shot other than Petronas. I learn something new everyday.
@ Ian: Nope. I’ve seen a number of people taking photos as it was getting dark. You’d enjoy it here hehe
parang maganda mag nightshots jan….. di naman bawal mag picturepicture katulad dito sa manila?
@ Gladys: Yup, it looks nice. It kinda reminded me of Nagtahan Bridge at dusk 🙂
great photo… wish i’ve seen it as well with all the lights on…
@ Doc Wends: Yeah, we stayed till early evening so we saw the building change colors. Re ordering, it happens a lot to the best of us. I always think, hindi naman nila ako kilala. Keber. hehe
@ Ding: Sometimes when I travel I don’t check what sights to see kaya minsan I only go to one place–like you did–and enjoy it. Next time, you’ll have a longer stay and will be able to see more sights in KL.
Sayang hindi pa ako member ng PTB when I went sa KL. In transit lang ako from Kuching. I had the whole afternoon to spare. Went to KLCC lang. I should have gotten more tips…di bale, sana makapunta ulit! Hehe.
Aleah, I was here sa Merdeka pero hapon un eh tapos kasama ko pa mga ibang guests sa conference. I just had a few snapshots then off we went back to the hotel. Did not even saw this one light up. Buti ka pa at nakita mo to in all its glory sa gabi.
I went to KLCC and had a funny experience there while eating lunch haha. Nakikigaya kasi akong na order eh and then when it came up to me, people were like, staring kasi un pala in-order ko, maanhang na soup na good for 4 pax eh ako lang mag-isa. Ung feeling na super lakas ng aircon ng Petronas Towers pero pinagpapawisan ako hahaha.
I wanna go back to KL soonest, i just missed the place.