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Kuala Lumpur |
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Malaysia
- Kuala Lumpur
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Kuala Lumpur
| Shopping in Kuala Lumpur |
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National Mosque
The National Mosque, with a capacity of 5000, is situated among
five acres (13 hectares) of beautiful gardens. Originally built
in 1965, it was recently refurbished, and now features marble
floors, reflecting pools, fountains and a 73-meter high minaret,
sleek and stylish against the Kuala Lumpur skyline. An
underground passage leads to the boldly modern National Mosque
located near the railway station, along Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin.
Its bright blue jagged rooftop, designed in the shape of an
eighteen-pointed star, has the appearance of a partly opened
multi-fold umbrella-like roof which symbolizes the aspirations
of an independent nation. Its unique modern design embodies a
contemporary expression of traditional Islamic art calligraphy
and ornamentation.
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National Museum
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The National Museum just outside the Lake Gardens, is a palatial structure built in style of old Malay Architecture. Located atop a hill at Jalan Travers, it provides an interesting introduction to the history and culture of Malaysia. Built in the style of a Malay palace, its impressive facade of two large murals depicts scenes of the country's colorful past and rich culture. Inside are interestingly laid out displays and exhibits on local history, culture and traditions, arts and crafts; economic activities; local flora and fauna; weapons and currency.
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Petaling Street
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 The heart of Kuala Lumpur's original
Chinatown and a bustling night market serving as a bargain hunter's paradise and one of the premier shopping areas in the city with its distinctly oriental atmosphere. Petaling Street maintains much of its traditional atmosphere, particularly at night when vendors spread their wares out on the street. While it is possible to purchase anything from gems and incense to toys and t-shirts here, enjoying the night market is really a matter of just wandering about and enjoying its sights, sounds, and energy. Incredible bargains amidst a melange of signs, shops, noise and roadside food stalls open until the wee hours of the morning. A must for any tourist.
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Chinatown
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While KL's mosques connote an air of calm and solace, no place
better symbolizes the opposite end of the city spectrum - the
break-neck speed of commerce - than Chinatown. Malaysia's Chinese population, some 30 percent of the country's
total, immigrated to Malaysia as early as the 15th century, but
largely in the 19th and early 20th century, capitalizing on the
spice trade of the Melakan Straits as well as running Malaysia's
tin mines - once the country's main source of income. The
Chinese immigrants were hard-working and entrepreneurial, and
today, Malaysia's Chinese are at the center of much of the
country's commercial activity.
In Chinatown, you can witness in this commerce first hand.
Indeed, along Petaling Street, the heart of Chinatown, you will
see just about anything and everything being sold. Values can be
had, as bargaining is most definitely the order of the day.
Along Petaling Street, one word may come in particularly handy:
"setengah," which means "half." Locals will
often yell out "setengah!" as soon as they hear the
first price a vendor offers. It is a practice worthy of
imitation.
Chinatown is a fun place to explore, with a myriad of narrow
alleyways and a variety of shops. One of the most interesting
shops is the Chinese herbal medicine store. Here you will find
hundreds of herbs and roots that are all meant to remedy any
ailment and/or promote general good health. Coming down with a
cold? The storekeeper may just recommend that you boil fresh
ginger or hyacinth beans in water with sugar.
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Kuala Lumpur
| Shopping in Kuala Lumpur |
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