Merdeka Squareformerly known as Padang, is the heart of downtown KL. This is the site of the Proclamation of Independence in 1957. It’s still used as a venue for national events, and the National Day Parades start here. Spend some time here, and you’ll soon be taken back to the colonial days of cricket and tea, as this was once the center for the British community. Look around and you’ll see many buildings of historical interest, including the Royal Selangor Club where KL’s elite meet, the Sultan Abdul Samad building which once was the core of colonial KL and now houses the Supreme Court.

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Masjid Negara(National Mosque) - This is an impressive building, completed in 1965, with a jagged 18-point star roof and 70 meter tall minaret. The points represent the 13 states of Malaysia and the 5 pillars of Islam. It’s one of the largest mosques in the region, with 48 smaller domes, cool marbled halls, long galleries and reflecting pools in the courtyard…all set in 13 acres of gardens.

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In the heart of the old city, the best way to see Chinatown is on foot. A crowded, noisy, vibrant area of KL, Chinatown is a paradise for those interested in curios and exotic oddities. You’ll find old shophouses selling everything from traditional Chinese herbs and medicines to jewelry and baskets. Fortune tellers, flower sellers, sign painters, haberdashers all display their wares on the pavements. A good place to start would be the central section of Jalan Petaling, which is especially active at night when the pasar malam (night market) begins.

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