Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka)

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Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50050+60 3 2693 6661 (Kua

Description: Literally translated as “Independence Square”, Merdeka Square commemorates the site on which the Union flag was lowered and the first raising of the Malayan flag took place in 1957. The square features a 311 foot tall fl...Read More

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Merdaka Square Photo - Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Colonial Kuala Lumpur

by dkm1981

Blackburn, England, United Kingdom

June 21, 2011

Best of IgoUgo Merdaka Square is a huge grassy area in the Colonial Core of Kuala Lumpur that is surrounded by buildings and other features that will make you feel like you have been transported back to olde worlde England. It is absolutely a must visit are and ...Read more Merdaka Square is a huge grassy area in the Colonial Core of Kuala Lumpur that is surrounded by buildings and other features that will make you feel like you have been transported back to olde worlde England. It is absolutely a must visit are and offered us a welcome break from the sore feet that we had from three days of walking around the city.

The square is located on the western side of the city and is easily accessible from the monorail station just around the corner behind the huge and ornate national mosque. Approaching the square on a bright sunny day is fabulous and the splendour of the area is laid out in front of you beyond fountains and sculptures.

The square is enclosed by the old Selangor Cricket club buildings which were built by AC Norman in the 1890s. The style is very British mock tudor, with black and white fronted buildings with red roofs. We spent a very pleasurable afternoon wandering around the grassy area imagining Tarquins and Sebastians playing a good game of cricket before retiring for drinks in the club bar.

The main focal point of the square is the giant flag pole at the end which, standing at 100m tall, is the tallest flag pole in the world and is adorned with an appropriately massive Malaysian flag which makes for a good photograph opportunity. Standing under the flag, you get a good view back over the city with both the Petronas Towers and the KL Telecommunications Tower in the background.

The square is a popular stop on organised tours, but it is only a brief stop for photographs, so it is definitely worth making your own way there to enjoy a relaxed afternoon in the sun. There are plenty of places to sit - we found the benches behind the water fountains particularly refreshing in the baking heat. It is also a popular place for picnicking.

The square is also the location for the Independence Day celebrations, when it becomes awash with people partying. With it being one of the few large open areas in the city, it also plays host to many large gatherings including impromptu concerts so it is worth visiting to find out what is going on.

In a city full of tall buildings and busy roads, Merdaka Square is a welcome retreat that offers a much more peaceful experience and I would absolutely recommend a visit. Close

From journal Places to Visit in KL

Masjid Jamek & Merdeka Square

by Koentje3000

Hamme, Belgium

May 3, 2006

Best of IgoUgo Right at the confluent of the Klang and Gombak rivers lies one of its most interesting places, the Masjid Jamek or Friday Mosque, named after the Muslim holy day. It was built on the location where Kuala Lumpur was founded and on the place of an old ...Read more Right at the confluent of the Klang and Gombak rivers lies one of its most interesting places, the Masjid Jamek or Friday Mosque, named after the Muslim holy day. It was built on the location where Kuala Lumpur was founded and on the place of an old Malay cemetery. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century in a Moorish style. It used to be the town's main mosque before the huge Masjid Negara (National Mosque) was built at the south side of the Lake Gardens. The building consists of a central prayer hall, topped with three white domes. The central dome was rebuilt after it collapsed in 1990. On a regular day, there will only be a few people around to say their prayers, but on Friday the whole prayer hall and the nearby streets fill with people. This is a sight not to be missed when you are in KL that day.Masjid Jamek is within walking distance from that other major Moorish-style building, the Sultan Abdul Samad building on the huge Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square). This beautiful building was designed by the same architect as Masjid Jamek, namely Arthur Benison Hubback, and built in 1897. It was named after the then sultan of Selangor, the Malaysian state surrounding Kuala Lumpur. The building, topped by a copper dome, used to house the Supreme Court, later named the Federal Court, and the Court of Appeal. After the move of these courts to Malaysia's administrative capital Putrajaya, it currently houses the Commercial Division of the High Court of Malaya.The Dataran Merdeka Square in front of the building used to be the cricket field of the Selangor Club. It was here that Malaysian independence was declared in 1957. An eye-catcher on the square is the huge flag post, one of the largest in the world. Apart from the Sultan Abdul Samad building there are a few other interesting buildings on the square, the National History Museum, the neo-Gothic St. Mary's cathedral and of course the Tudor-style Royal Selangor Club Complex.The easiest way to reach Masjid Jamek is by LRT train. The Masjid Jamek station is a major junction in the LRT system. Masjid Jamek is also on walking distance from the Bangkok Bank bus stand, one of KL's main bus stands. Close

From journal The Modern Capital of Malaysia

Dataran Merdeka

by ashford

Subang Jaya, Malaysia

April 16, 2001

Dataran Merdeka or Independence Square is located in Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin in Kuala Lumpur. The place hosts celebrated events like rock concerts,pop shows, the annual Independence Day parade, the Floral Show and also got into the record books for ...Read more

From journal The Attractions of Kuala Lumpur

Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka)

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