Why Merdeka Square was our favorite spot in Kuala Lumpur
We guess that Merdeka Square is not the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about KL. Visitors mostly flock to see the Petronas Twin Towers which, from the moment they were built, have turned Malaysia's capital into a must-visit destination for everyone travelling to SE Asia. For us KL is much more than that!
During our last trip there, we were excited to check the modern side of the city but we also felt the urge to explore the traditional treasures this South-East Asian Metropolis has to offer. After all, Malaysia is a country with a deeply held traditional respect for the past.
We were lucky enough to enjoy some beautiful sunny days during our trip, so walking around was the best option for us in order to feel the vibe of the city. We decided to head towards Merdeka Square, one of KL's iconic landmarks. Known also as Datarn Merdeka, it has a great symbolic meaning as this is where Malaysia proclaimed its independence (merdeka) on August 31th, 1957. Ever since, the Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian Flag) is flying proudly on the tallest flagpole in the world (95m).
Being the colonial core of Kuala Lumpur, Merdeka square hosts some of the city's most famous historical buildings. The Royal Selangor Club, a wooden building in Tudor style, used to be the epicenter of the British colonial society in the past and one of most prestigious VIP clubs of today. However as you approach Merdeka square, there is one building that stands out from the rest; the iconic Sultan Abdul Samad Building, a gem of Moorish architecture.
The Sultan Abdul Samad Building
Originally designed by A.C. Norman, it was Malaysia's largest building when it was built back in 1897. Constructed entirely of brick it was used in order to house the government offices of the British colonial administration. Nowadays it is home to the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture of Malaysia.
We decided to spend some time taking pictures in front of it as it would be ideal for some promo photos of our website. Its architecture was really breathtaking and left us with a great feeling about the traditional side of the city. If you want to experience the colonial history of KL, then Merdeka Square is the place to be!
Getting to Dataran Merdeka
By Train : The easiest way to get there is to take the Rapid KL Kelana Jaya Line and exit at Masjid Jamek station. The Sultan Abdul Samad building is a 5 minute walk from here. You will not miss it as there is good signage to guide you along the way.
What was your favorite spot in Kuala Lumpur? Comment below and we will be glad to exchange opinions!
*All photos are captured by Truevoyagers.
