Exploring Kuala Lumpur

We use the second day of our Hop-On Hop-Off ticket to do Hop-Off exploring. We start at Merdeka Square, which is Independence Square. The British flag was lowered here and the Malaysian flag raised for the first time on August 31, 1957. Running alongside the square is the 1800’s Sultan Abdul Samad building with it’s clock tower and copper domes.

​We walk around for a bit, stopping by an area known as the River of Life. It is a walk along the Klang River. The city has invested significantly in cleaning up the river and turning the area into a venue for relaxing and dining.

​After lunch we check out Central Market. The market, built in 1928, is now a tourist attraction with various stores and stalls. Although there are some original products and handicrafts it has it’s share of cheap tourist stuff. Oh well.

Central Market is just a short distance from Petaling Street and China Town, a must see!  We wander through the booths and stores of China Town - many selling knock-off products ($10 Rolex, anyone?). At one point we take a route through the back-side of the kitchens for a block of small restaurants. Let’s just say it was a bit scary.
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On the edge of China Town is Sri Mahariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in KL, founded in 1873. The impressive five-tiered gate tower with depictions of Hindu gods was built in 1972. From China Town we Hop-On the bus again and it takes us back to the Petronas Twin Towers, just a 15-20 minute walk to our condo. It has been a fun day.