Menara Kuala Lumpur

Menara KL sebagai mercu tanda Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur.

Menara Kuala Lumpur merupakan antara tarikan terpenting di Kuala Lumpur yang mula dibuka kepada orang ramai sejak 23 Julai 1996. Ia dirasmikan oleh Perdana Menteri Malaysia ke-4 Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad pada 1, Oktober 1996. Semenjak dari itu, Menara Kuala Lumpur terus menjadi kunjungan ramai, selain menjalankan fungsi asalnya sebagai sebuah menara telekomunikasi.

Menara Kuala Lumpur merupakan menara telekomunikasi ke-4 tertinggi di dunia dengan ketinggian mencapai 421 meter. Pembinaannya bermula pada 6 Julai 1992 dan siap sepenuhnya pada tahun 1996. Pembinaannya melalui beberapa fasa penting kerana ia tidak menggunakan sistem pilling sebaliknya sebanyak 50,000 meter padu konkrit digunakan sebagai tapak asasnya.

Bahagian atas Menara KL.

Deck terbuka di Menara KL.

Menara KL dan KLCC pada waktu malam.

Selain sebagai menara telekomunikasi, menara ini juga turut menyediakan dek tinjau yang membolehkan pengunjung melihat pemandangan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur dari atas. Selain itu juga terdapat restauran berputar yang membolehkan para tetamu menjamu selera dan dalam masa yang sama berputar 360 darjah mengelilingi menara tersebut. Ia bukan sahaja merupakan menara yang cantik, malah memberikan pemandangan yang menarik bagi Kuala Lumpur pada waktu malam.

Menara KL juga turut menyediakan beberapa servis yang lain antaranya termasuk ruang mengadakan upacara korperat seperti mesyuarat dan seminar, pakej majlis perkahwinan, F1 simulator dan beberapa pameran lagi mengikut musim. Selain itu juga terdapat pelbagai acara tahunan yang diraikan di Menara Kuala Lumpur seperti ‘base jump’, lumba menaiki tangga, pameran-pameran, sambutan hari istimewa dan sebagainya. Jadi anda perlu mengikuti jadual acara di Menara Kuala Lumpur sekiranya anda ingin menyertainya.

Acara tahunan di Menara KL, 'base jump'.

Antara tarikan terbaru 'Sky Box'.

Menara KL pada waktu malam.

Untuk mendapatkan maklumat lebih lanjut mengenai Menara Kuala Lumpur anda boleh melawati lawan web Menara Kuala Lumpur. Pastikan juga anda tidak terlepas beberapa lokasi menarik berhampiran dengan menara ini.

Swiftlet With Edible Nest

Aerodramus fuciphagus one of the species that produce the edible nest.

Swallow is absolutely unique, where some species from this family known of swiftlets has an edible nest (as a medicine). The higher price of swiftlets nest make it important source of income. Hence people build buildings for their nest instead of traditionally hunt them in caves.

The swiftlets nests are popular among the Chinese and gain popularity every year for its health benefits (especially for the skin). This kind of nest had been used in China since 400 years ago an prepared as bird’s nest soup.

Swiftlets nests are classified into two major classes derived from the place where the nest had been obtained (in the building) and also the nest from the caves. Nests derived from building are more easily processed and have a first-class grade. While nests collected from caves contain foreign materials such as feathers and other mainly grass. So, this bird's nest should undergo a cleaning process before being marketed.

Swallows nest in the cave wall.

Ready to use bird's nest.

Nests in boxes for sale.

Type swiftlet that produce edible bird's nest is from the type (Cistothorus platensis) which is mostly found in Southeast Asia. These swiftlets are smaller in size with the size around 11 to 12 cm and weighing 15 to 18 grams. These birds have dark brown color and color is paler on the underside. The tail is slightly forked, with long wings and small. Muzzle and legs are black.

There are six (6) sub-species of swiftlets whose nests of this kind, namely;

• A. f. platensis - sub species found in Java, Bali and western parts of the Lesser Sunda Islands.
• A. f. inexpectatus - found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, sometimes in Burma.
• A. f. dammermani - Flores Islands, known by only one specimen.
• A. f. micans - in the Lesser Sunda Islands (Sumba, Savu and Timor).
• A. f. vestitus - Sumatra and Borneo, and sometimes treated as different species Aerodramus vestitus.
• A. f. perplexus - Maratua Archipelago in the East of Borneo.

Although formerly the swiftlets nest were collected primarily from caves, now people start to build a nest’s house to facilitate the process of collecting the nest (besides it is more clean - because the bird’s nest containing less foreign material). Sometimes these buildings built in the center of small town that can be somehow disturbing for public.

What makes the price nest swiftlets expensive are the needs to be put everything in right conditions because the building used as home nest should meet the needs of swifts such as; lighting, humidity and temperature are equal as conditions in the cave. So the conditions in the building need to be a little bit dark, with humidity between 89% to 90% and a temperature between 28 ° C to 30 ° C.

Swiftlet's nest soup.

Bird's nests has been cleared.

Nest's building at Baan Laem, Phetchaburi, Thailand.

Since these swiftlets are species native to Southeast Asia, the countries producing the famous bird's nest is Indonesia, known as higher quality producer. Thailand produced a relatively thick nest and requires longer soaking or cooking time. Malaysia also produce nests containing more feathers (Feather Prime swiflet) and has a slightly lower price, but it is used for food industries. Vietnam produces the best bird's nest but have a very limited supply.

So it is a little bit about the swiftlets that produce edible nest. As this article merely provides basic information only, you’re encouraged to visit the swiftlets farms or attending any courses on the swiftlets farming techniques.

Kirikane, Japanese Fine Art Made of Gold

Kehalusan seni "Kirikane" diterapkan pada pinggan kaca ini.

Kirikane (截金), the Japanese art using thin sheet of gold pieces that are rarely heard. This art brought from outside of Alexandria is said to come as part of ancient Egypt around the 3rd century BC. But this art in Japan was brought from China as part of Buddhist art decorations for statues and paintings.

Maybe you have not heard about it because in Japan this art is re-introduced since Kirikane got less attention previously. Kirikane art is not easy to master by everyone because it is not only uses materials such as gold, silver and platinum, but the pieces of precious metals that are used are very thin and difficult to handle without skill and patience.

This art was brought to Japan from China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and examples can still be seen to this day such as Tamamushino Zushi at Horyuji Temple. This art is very popular around the 11th century up to 14. It was then almost disappeared due to the lack of decoration of Buddhist art in Japan.

Best applied Kirikane techniques.

Ball container with Kirikane.

Akane Yamamoto expressing Kirikane through art glass.

Today this art is given a new style, although some still retained its original art on a small scale. Through the efforts of activists of the new generation of Japanese art, Kirikane been used for larger media covers wider range of decorations. Among the famous Kirikane artists is Akane Yamamoto, one of successful artist who bring back Kirikane globally with "Kirikane Glass" she'd produced.

Although Akane using new media in the production of "Kirikane Glass" design, she still displays the characteristics of original Kirikane through traditional pieces of sheet metal that is used, it is the fine shapes of lines, diamonds, triangles, squares and geometric as on the classic Kirikane. Anyway, with the use of glass, Akane highlights this art through deeper dimension.

Beside her, the other artists are also using Kirikane according to their inclination for this art can be used with various media. Just Kirikane art has a distinctive shape that can be observed easily through the piece of sheet metal that it’s used.

The classical usage of Kirikane in Buddhist Art.

It can also be used on many other items.

Wooden box decorated with Kirikane.

This art needs to be done with high accuracy as the precious metal pieces used very thin. It requires very careful handling to ensure that the work done to produce a final result as desired.

• Usually two types of metal sheets used in the decoration consist of gold, silver and platinum. These plates have to undergo a heating process (with its own technique) to attach to one another to increase thickness.
• These pieces will be cut using a bamboo knife (metal blade cannot be used) over cutting board that covered with buckskin - to produce a good cutting.
• It subsequently attached using adhesive (from seaweed, funori and ' hide glue ', Mikawa) on items to be decorated with Kirikane.

  

Looking at the results of the Kirikane, then you will definitely agree that it should be preserved as a legacy for the next generation. Although it is less known compared to other Japanese cultural arts, but it has a very high value in describing the cultural wealth of Japan and this telling us that every art in every culture too are just as precious as Kirikane and need to be preserved.

Important Locations for Tour in Kuala Lumpur - Dataran Merdeka

Dataran Merdeka filled with tours and historical objects.

Kuala Lumpur is a major tourist site in Malaysia. Whether for locals or foreign tourists, a visit to Kuala Lumpur would not be complete without visiting this key location in the city. To facilitate the process of visiting Kuala Lumpur this prime location will allows you to visit several attractions at the same time. The prime location that we mean is Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka).

Merdeka  Square (Dataran Merdeka) is not only historical location but at the same time located most of other important attractions in Kuala Lumpur. For those who have limited time, a visit here can save your time to get a glance of Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia altogether. Among the attractions are as follows:

Sultan Abdul Samad Building

Front view of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building.

View the afternoon.

Clock tower.

Is a historical building built in 1894 which is one of the important attractions in this area, this building has witnessed many historical events that occurred at the site of which including the lowered of the Union Jack flag on August 31, 1957 and replaced with a flag for Malayan flag for independence ceremony.

The building was designed by the British architect AC Norman and assisted by engineers CE Spooner. Its unique design has become an icon of the city to this day. It is based on the architecture of Moorish and Moghul architecture. It comes with 3 domes were originally built of wood and brick, painted black. The dome was replaced with copper-clad dome as viewed today.

Sultan Abdul Samad building becomes main object for visitors to Merdeka Square in recalling the long history of Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia. This makes it the essence of your visit to the city.

National Textile Museum (National Textiles Museum)

Textile Museum building.

Diorama traditional cloth weaving process.

Among the exhibition space at the Textile Museum.

National Textile Museum is open from 9 January 2010 the building was originally the headquarters of the Federal Malay States Railways (FMSR). It was later used for a variety of uses until converted into a museum in 2010. The building's attractive design gives the museums some extra unique features.

As the name implies, this museum displays interesting collections of exhibits, namely textile materials used by the Malaysian as a clothing material beforehand until now. The approaches used by the museum are also very effective with varieties of media including video, multimedia materials, printed materials, other than dioramas only. Guided tours are also available at certain times.

A visit to this museum by us found that the museum meet the criteria’s for the exhibition and educational center. It was also recognized with the award from the TripAdvisor with "Certificate of Excellence". Therefore it is another important attraction in Independence Square that we recommend.

Textile Museum opened for free every day from 9am - 6pm. For more information you may visit the museum's web site at http://www.muziumtekstilnegara.gov.my or contact no. Tel: 603 - 2694 3457

KL City Gallery

KL City Gallery building.

Replication of Kuala Lumpur city in the future.

The building model is intricately done their work.

KL City gallery is another interesting place to know more about the development of Kuala Lumpur history. It is also the location that houses the office of the Visit KL information counter. You can see a replica of the Kuala Lumpur City model built by Arch Kuala Lumpur.

Arch Kuala Lumpur is a company which produces merchandise for souvenir in the form of very attractive building replicas. In this gallery you will also have the opportunity to see the sculptors at work. At the end of the tour you have the chance to buy souvenirs that are sold in their gifts shop.

The entrance fee to the KL City Gallery is free and it's open daily from 8am - 6pm. For more information you may visit their website at www.klcitygallery.com or contact no. Tel: 603 - 2691 1382

St. Mary's Anglican Cathedral

Building St. Mary's Anglican Cathedral.

The room in the building.

The building was also built by the same architect for the construction of the Sultan Abdul Samad AC Norman. What is obviously different is the concept used for the construction of a traditional English church and it was built in 1894.

The old building is fitted with attractive stained glass windows (stained-glass) together with its pipe-organ addressed to Sir Henry Gurney who was the British High Commissioner in Malaysia at that time.

To find out more about this old building you may visit the website www.stmaryschatedral.org.my or contact no. Tel: 603 - 2692 8672.

Museum of Music

Music Museum's building.

The interior of the Museum of Music.

Street music performances on Saturday & Sundays.

Museum of Music is one of the latest attractions at Merdeka Square and opened on 1 August 2015. It houses a variety of traditional instruments from various races in Malaysia. As well as the National Textile Museum, it aims to educate the public about the diversity of the art equipment used for entertainment in our country.

As well as other buildings in its surrounding this museum building is also part of the complex of old buildings that are hundreds of years old and designed by engineers with AC Norman with the concept Moorish and Mogul.

There are musical performances (busking) was held in front of the museum on Saturdays and Sundays and it is one of the interesting activity to watch because of its cheering atmosphere. In addition, there are also Malay gamelan performances. It is open daily from 9: 00 - 6: 00 with the entrance fee is free. For more information you can visit the website http://www.jmm.gov.my/ms/muzium-muzik or contact no. Tel: 603 - 2604 0176.

Apart from the places mentioned above, there are several other places that are not covered in detail in this article include:

• DBKL City Theatre Culture
• Library Kuala Lumpur (DBKL)
• Royal Selangor Club

While the near attractions to Merdeka Square are:

• Masjid Jamek
• Masjid India
• Central Market (Pasar Seni)

It can be visited on the same day of your visit to Merdeka Square as the location is very close. That’s why this location selected as the main attraction on our list as all important attractions located at the same place. The whole area on Merdeka Square is an area full of historical buildings and structures, and each has its own stories.

Orang Asli Craft Museum, Kuala Lumpur

The main entrance to the Orang Asli Craft Museum.

Orang Asli Craft Museum (Muzium Seni Kraf Orang Asli) is located at Jalan Damansara, next to the building of the National Museum, Kuala Lumpur. It is different with Aboriginal Museum, in Gombak, Selangor. As the name implies, it's intended to introduce the art of aboriginal craft in addition to other matters related to the culture of within these communities.

Apart from the craft items it also shows the connection between the items and the life of the people through their stories of myths and legends, culture and beliefs. The exhibits are on permanent display and some exhibited seasonally.

The galleries which have been enlarge, are divided into eight segments which show the life of the aboriginal, which includes background of tribal natives, geographical distribution and demographics, sculptures, carved masks, traditional residence, hunting equipment and fishing, mortality, musical instruments, accessories and woven garments. All the materials are delivered using a variety of methods including the use of multimedia to further ease the process of learning about the lives of the indigenous people of this.

Collection of masks on display.

Wood carvings by indigenous communities.

Fishing equipment.

Ticket prices Orang Asli Craft Museum

Visitor Type

• Citizen: RM 2.00
• Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs): RM 1.00
• Children aged 12 and under (citizen): free of charge
• Secondary School students dress uniforms (citizen): free of charge
• High School Students not dressed in uniform (citizen): RM 2.00
• Member of International Council of Museums (ICOM): free of charge
• Not a citizen: RM 5.00
• Children (6 to 12 years) (non-citizens): RM 2.00
• Children younger than 6 years (non-citizens): free of charge

Opening Hours

• 9.00 am - 6.00 pm (daily)
• Closed on the first day of Aidilfitri and Aidil Adha

Transport

Visitors can take a taxi or bus KL HOP-ON HOP-OFF, free bus (Go KL) or other alternative transportation based in KL Sentral Station, the commuter, LRT, monorail or walk for 20 minutes. You also will have opportunity to use the MRT service when it opens later.

Contact Person

Asmawi Bin Mohamed Yunus - Chairman MSKOA Museum (asmawi@jmm.gov.my)

Address:

Orang Asli Craft Museum, Department of Museums Malaysia, Jalan Damansara, 50566 Kuala Lumpur

Tel:   603-22671000 samb.154 / 171/153

Fax: 603-2282 7294/2287 1275

Email: pr.mskoa@jmm.gov.my