This Is Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur

Showing posts with label Kuala Lumpur. Show all posts

National Palace - Kuala Lumpur Tours

The National Palace, or Istana Negara is the official residence of the King and Queen of Malaysia or, to give them their more formal titles, His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Her Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong.

History of the Palace

The Palace is located on an 11 hectare site in the leafy centre of Kuala Lumpur. It was built in 1928 as a private residence for a Chinese tin tycoon called Chan Wing who made his fortune by developing the Hong Fatt Tin Mine which is where The Mines development now stands.

Mr. Chan Wing's home cost RM150,000 to build and although it had 13 rooms at that time it must still have been quite crowded as he had 26 children and 8 or 9 wives.

He had to flee Malaya during the Japanese occupation as he was known to be a supporter of anti-Japanese resistance in China. His descendants still have active business interests in Malaysia and beyond.

During the War, the Japanese used the building as an officers' mess. After their surrender, it was used by the British Royal Air Force for a while and then served as a temporary Palace for the Sultan of Selangor while his new Palace at Klang was being built.

The Palace was then acquired by the Federal Government in 1957 and, after undergoing extensive renovations and extensions, it became the National Palace.

The Malaysian Monarchy System

Malaysia has a unique constitutional monarchy system whereby the King, who is also Ruler of one of the states that make up Malaysia, serves for a fixed period of 5 years before being replaced by a Sultan from another of the states. The King is elected by the Conference of Rulers and in practice the Monarchy has rotated in turn between each of the 9 states with Sultans.

These states are (in order) Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Perlis, Terengganu, Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Johor and Perak.

The current King, Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Mukhtafi Billah Shah is the Ruler of Terangganu and his 5 year term ends in December 2011. The next King will be from Kedah state.

The remaining 4 of Malaysia's 13 states (Sarawak, Sabah, Melaka and Penang do not have Sultans - they have Governors instead).

The King, as Supreme Head of State, has roles and functions in matters relating to legislation, judiciary, military, religion, diplomacy and pardoning.

Royal Etiquette and Protocol

If you are ever fortunate enough to be invited to the Palace for dinner you will need to brush up on your etiquette. I can recommend a fascinating official website on the Malaysian Monarchy which will tell you everything you need to know. For example, it tells us that at the dinner table we should "Avoid yawning or belching loudly". I should think so too!

And if you are ever hosting a function for VVIPs you will need to know the Federal Order of Precedence to avoid offending anybody. The same website informs us that naturally the King and Queen occupy the number 1 and 2 positions in the order of precedence. The Prime Minister only comes in at number 6. When planning your seating arrangements you might also need to know for example that the Governor of the Central Bank (No.40) takes precedence over the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur (No.41).

View Larger Map

review...

LOT 10 - Kuala Lumpur Tours

Lot 10 Shopping Centre is one of the oldest shopping malls in town. It has become a landmark that every city dweller is familiar with. Its location is key to its success. The big green building sits nicely at the Sultan Ismail and Bukit Bintang crossroad. Lot 10’s location is in the centre of the hottest new shopping and entertainment district with many other shopping malls, food and beverage outlets as well as entertainment outlets surrounding it.

Lot 10 is slightly more upmarket compared to its counterpart across the street, Sungei Wang Plaza. If that’s not upmarket enough for you, then Starhill Gallery is just next door. Its interior is lavishly styled for a shopping centre that was built in the 1980’s. It possesses a style that will never go out of date. Each floor is spacious and well maintained.

Lot 10 maintains a nice balance, with a handful of international brands amidst a handful of upmarket local boutiques. One of the anchor tenants of Lot 10 is the Japanese departmental store, Isetan. Other outlets include Guess, Body Shop, Calvin Klein, British India and many more. There is an even blend of glamour and groove at Lot 10 to cater to the young and trendy, the working professionals as well as the socialites.

There is also an ample supply of food outlets at Lot 10. Trendy cafés such as Dome Café, Café Societe and the ever popular Delifrance can be found. It is the perfect place to take a break in between floors. A food court is available at the lower ground floor if you’re looking for a decent meal at an affordable price.

Lot 10 is a favourite amongst the city folk as it offers a well balanced shopping and dining experience. The fact that is right smack in the middle of Bintang Walk makes it a suitable place to shop while seeing the sights. With the ultra hip Sungei Wang Plaza across the street and the big daddy of designers (Starhill Gallery) next door, Lot 10 is in the perfect position to attract tourists and up-market shoppers. Not too pricey, not too shabby.

View Larger Map

review...

KL Plaza - Kuala Lumpur Tours

KL Plaza is located near Gading, (J) near Bukit Bintang, J; 0.2 kilometre away from Sultan Ismail, J; 0.2 kilometre away from Berangan, J; 0.2 kilometre away from Walter Grenier, J; KL Plaza is geographically located at latitude (3.1475 degrees) 3° 8' 50" North of the Equator and longitude (101.7125 degrees) 101° 42' 45" East of the Prime Meridian on the Map of Kuala Lumpur.

The locations related to KL Plaza are represented by the the shortest path as the crow would fly between any two points and may not be nearest by road. For example, KL Plaza is located 0 kilometre from Planet Hollywood. KL Plaza is located 0.1 kilometre from KL Plaza Suites Hotel. KL Plaza is located 0.1 kilometre from Star Hill. KL Plaza is located 0.1 kilometre from Regent. KL Plaza is located 0.1 kilometre from New Straits Times Press Kiosk.

DIGI Specialised Store

Tower Records Area

View Larger Map

review...

Starhill Gallery - Kuala Lumpur Tours

Shopping Mall Malaysia, Star Hill Gallery is easy to miss from the outside (located just across the road from the Pavilion) but it extends when you go inside and becomes bigger and bigger. Especially the massive centre court is an eye catcher with leather couches, a bar and and stage. Also the restaurants on the lower floor are beautifully designed and worth a try if you have the extra ringgit to spend.

Star Hill Gallery is less than 5min walk from Bukit Bintang Monorail station.

Restaurants

If you are interested in design, you have to check out the restaurants in here.
Enak, Fisherman's Cove, Jake's Charebroil, Koryo-Won Korean Restaurant, Luk Yu Tea House, My Thai, Pak Loh Chiu Chow, Sentidos Tapas, Shook Restaurant, Tarbush, The Village Bar, Vansh & many more...

View Larger Map

review...

BB Plaza / Bukit Bintang Plaza - Kuala Lumpur Tours

BB Plaza@Bukit Bintang Plaza, one of the most popular shopping complexes in the city. It is situated in the centre of the Golden Triangle where top hotels and other commercial complexes are just minutes away. With more than 150 specialty outlets, including, art and craft, fashion, electrical products, mens & womens accessories, shoes, timepieces, gifts souvenirs, jewellery and much more. You can even get good quality products at surprising low prices.

There are also many different types of food available in BB Plaza. You can choose to eat in an open air sidewalk food outlets or in an air-conditioning restaurants. BB Plaza is constantly crowded especially on weekends. We operate from 10am to 10 pm daily.

View Larger Map

review...

Sungei Wang Plaza - Kuala Lumpur Tours

Sungei Wang Plaza is a popular shopping centre situated in the Bukit Bintang area of Kuala Lumpur. Sungei Wang Plaza was opened in 1977. Sungei Wang Plaza is accessible via monorail at the Imbi or Bukit Bintang monorail station.

Other major shopping malls located nearby are Lot 10, Berjaya Times Square, Imbi Plaza, Low Yat Plaza, KL Plaza and Starhill Gallery. These malls are all located in the Golden Triangle area of Kuala Lumpur. Sungei Wang Plaza’s main anchor tenant is Parkson. Located adjacent to Sungei Wang Plaza is Bukit Bintang Plaza.

Sungei Wang Plaza is well known for gathering a variety of products under one roof, including clothes, soft toys, games, watches, bookstore, lifestyle items and entertainment. The sixth floor of the mall has been established as T-zone (aka. Trendy Zone on The Roof), which generally caters for teenager fashion clothes, shoes and other trinkets. A lot of local designer clothes and accessories can be found with affordable price.

The third floor (IT@Sungei Wang) is known for its selection of computers, IT hardware and software. Connecting the mall with the main road is Fiesta Street which is a new sidewalk with a selection of Italian, American, Chinese, South African and Aseana fare.

View Larger Map

review...

Pavillion - Kuala Lumpur Tours

At the heart of the trendy Bukit Bintang district lies the perfect reason to indulge in fashion, food and urban leisure. Experience the excitement of this 1.37 mil sq ft retail haven with 450 outlets offering the finest fashion and home furnishing to entertainment and culinary delights. Let the endless appeal of Malaysia's premier shopping destination awaken your senses the moment you arrive at its doorstep.

Witness the Pavilion Crystal Fountain, a new national landmark. It is the Tallest Liuli Crystal Fountain in Malaysia endorsed by The Malaysia Book of Records. Another first in Malaysia is Pavilion KL's six distinguished shopping precincts and a row of street-front duplexes housing flagship boutiques from the world over.

View Larger Map

review...

Bank Negara Money Museum - Kuala Lumpur Tours

Bank Negara Malaysia started issuing its own currency in 1967 and since 1979, it has been purchasing coins sporadically with the objective of setting up its own Money Museum.

Furthermore, as the Bank regularly receives many visitors each year, including school children and VIPs, the Bank felt it would also be desirable to display its collection and preserve the national heritage by having a public museum to show the evolution of money in the country from early to modern times.

The plan to have an authoritative depository for the Bank's growing numismatic collection became a reality with the opening of the Money Museum on 5 April 1989. It was officially opened by Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali, wife of the Malaysian Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in conjunction with the thirtieth Anniversary of Bank Negara Malaysia.Located in the Bank Negara building at Jalan Dato' Onn, the Money Museum has an interesting display of old Malaysian currency, commemorative and rare coins and also foreign currencies.

Bank Negara's Money Museum is a work of art in itself. The money museum was opened in 1989. From the ornate carvings of the 100-year-old teak palace door at the ground floor entrance to the panels, shelf designs and lighting.