Learning in the City: Malaysia’s Museums

Kuala Lumpur is the ideal first stop for many of Malaysia’s visitors. It’s the hub where modern meets the past, and offers plenty of activities and sights for every traveler. But if most countries have mostly shopping malls to offer in their busy metropolis, Kuala Lumpur has several museums within the city that showcase the rich and vibrant history of the country. A visit to each one is a great way to give its guests an understanding into the Malaysian culture.

Here are three museums in Kuala Lumpur that you shouldn’t miss while you are in the city.

1) National Museum of Malaysia

Locally known as Muzium Negara, the museum is on the frontlines of helping preserve Malaysia’s cultural heritage. Exhibits in the four different galleries show its visitors the historical changes that Malaysia has gone through: from its prehistoric exhibits, to the rise of the Malay Kingdoms and the Colonial Era and finally, a look into Malaysia as it is today.

The current structure replaced the original Selangor Museum which was found on the same location. The old building was destroyed during World War II, and it wasn’t until the country gained it independence did the idea of rebuilding a museum came about. In 1963, the current museum officially opened its doors.

The museum is open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM and located at Jalan Damansara.

2) Petronas Gallery (Galeri Petronas)

Right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, just below its most iconic landmark is the Galeri Petronas, a contemporary art gallery that was established by the company whose name it bears. It aims to promote the talents and art of Malaysian artists, as well as to help them find avenues to continue their artistic growth. The gallery also encourages exhibits from foreign artists to promote a mutually beneficial exchange of ideas.

The gallery is built to meet international art gallery standards, and offers many spaces for exhibits and other activities. Visitors can easily  go to Galeri Petronas via Suria KLCC. Getting your shopping done and getting some cultural education done in one go has never been so easy.

3) Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

Since 1998, Malaysia has the biggest museum in Southeast Asia dedicated to Islamic art. Awareness and interest in this field has grown exponentially in the past few years, and the museum aims to have an art gallery that represents Islam to the world.

The IAMM has around 7,000 artefacts which range from jewelry, sculpture and paintings. A large scale model of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca can also be found here and is the biggest of its kind in the world. IAMM also has a strong focus on artworks from around Asia, including a significant amount of work from its neighboring Southeast Asian countries, China and India..

The IAMM is located in Kuala Lumpur’s Lake Gardens in Jalan Lembah Perdana. The galleries are open everyday from 10AM to 6PM, similarly for public holidays.

Whether you have time to kill or want to learn some interesting things while in Kuala Lumpur, you will never go wrong with visiting a museum. It widens your knowledge and perspective, and it gives you a better understanding of the country you are visiting.

Photos by palbion, phalinn and mr_fairuz

Article by Chris

Chris had a passion to contribute to society especially to fellow travelers like himself. He also had a passion for Southeast Asia and frequently visited. While brainstorming ideas, he decided that a travel blog dedicated to his favorite countries, Thailand and Singapore, could be more beneficial than any guidebook. Only one year later did the blog’s success bring in more writers, more countries, and more readers.

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