Kuala Lumpur is a relatively young city when compared to its counterparts in Southeast Asia. For this reason, much of the city’s architecture is a myriad of old and new, with its distinction, more than often, owed to the countless cultures and religions from across the region. The city is sprinkled with design influenced by the colonial period, including more than several original buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Additional architectural themes include those inspired by Islamic stylings, as well as Chinese and other Asian influences. Modern Kuala Lumpur is seeing the development of soon-to-be-iconic structures, such as The Merdeka 118. Also known as the Warisan Merdeka Tower, it is a 118-story skyscraper that reaches just over 678 meters in height. Upon completion in 2022, it will snatch the title of the tallest building in Malaysia.
In contrast, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building is a late-nineteenth-century structure that originally housed the offices of the British colonial administration. Built in a Moorish style, it was named after the reigning sultan of Selangor in 1974. Some of its most exquisite details include its three copper domes crowned by a cream clock tower. One of the tallest flagpoles in the world stands at 95 meters on the southern end of Merdeka Square, directly in front of the building. Visitors to the site during national holidays and events, such as the National Day Parade or New Year’s Eve, will find it plays an important role and is often the backdrop to some of the city’s largest celebrations.
Public transportation boasts unforgettable structures of its own, with one of the best being Kuala Lumpur railway station. Opened in 1917, the structure is most notable for its design. Referred to as Indo-Saracenic, the station is a blend of both Eastern and Western architectural designs. Though the station has undergone a variety of redevelopment projects, the main structure notably features the ‘Raj’ style, similar to that of Moorish architecture. Additional changes to the station, such as the 1986 refurbishment, have introduced extra-modern design elements. Sharp-eyed visitors will notice the station’s design matches much of the stylings of surrounding buildings, such as the Railway Administration Building and other administrative complexes nearby Merdeka Square.
Landmarks of Interest
The Merdeka 118
Address: Jalan Hang Jebat, 50150, Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +603 – 2050 5100
Operating Hours:
– 24 hours daily
Admission Cost: N/A
Website
Sultan Abdul Samad Building
Address: Jalan Raja, Dataran Merdeka, 50050, Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +603 – 8891 8000
Operating Hours:
– 24 hours daily
Admission Cost: N/A
Website (not official)
Kuala Lumpur Railway Station
Address: Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, 50621, Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +603 – 8891 8000
Operating Hours:
– 24 hours daily
Admission Cost: N/A
Website (not official)
