Notes from the Southern Seas

Author: Li Ye Ming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: When I first went to Kuala Lumpur, I had a sense of déjà vu. Like Shanghai at that time, the city of Kuala Lumpur was dotted with construction sites of all sizes, and traffic congestion was also very severe. More interestingly, Kuala Lumpur's night view was far more beautiful than its daytime view. The streets of Kuala Lumpur were not as clean as those of Singapore, and the vehicles and roadside buildings always gave a sense of being dusty and disheveled. However, as soon as night falls, these shortcomings instantly "disappear." Under the glow of streetlights, skyscrapers shine brilliantly under the night sky, and the streets adorned with colorful lights are dazzling, truly an undeniably romantic night scene of a metropolis! Although the proportion of ethnic Chinese in the country is not high, in Kuala Lumpur, ethnic Chinese are relatively concentrated, and English is widely spoken here. Therefore, visitors from Singapore often feel very at home in Kuala Lumpur. Even if they don't drive themselves, visitors from Singapore usually don't come to Kuala Lumpur in groups. They typically choose to take a long-distance bus directly northward. Once in Kuala Lumpur, everything is very convenient to explore.
When visiting Kuala Lumpur, you cannot miss the mosques. As the capital of a Muslim country, mosques are in Kuala Lumpur. In addition to the ancient and elegant ones, there are also some newly built after independence, with very modern designs. For example, the National Mosque, its spire design is very distinctive, and the roof is designed to resemble a half-open umbrella. This National Mosque can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers at once, making it the finest in Southeast Asia. For first-time visitors to Kuala Lumpur, this is a must-visit attraction! Most mosques in Kuala Lumpur are open to the public, and visitors can enter for free. However, photography is not allowed inside the main prayer hall, and shoes must be removed before entering. Female visitors and those wearing casual clothing (such as shorts) must wear long robes. In my opinion, a significant part of Kuala Lumpur's charm comes from its strong Islamic atmosphere, which makes the city more exotic.
In addition to the numerous mosques scattered throughout the city, in fact, many public buildings in Kuala Lumpur also reflect some Islamic architectural styles. For example, the roof of Kuala Lumpur's train station is composed of many white domes and spires, and the design of its windows and doors makes it seem more like a mosque. Also, across from Merdeka Square stands an ancient building considered a landmark of Kuala Lumpur—the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. This grand building features several round bronze roofs that shimmer in the sunlight, making it both majestic and elegant. Currently, it is the headquarters of Malaysia's Supreme Court. The square and road in front of it are where Malaysia holds its annual National Day celebrations.
Of course, Kuala Lumpur's charm also lies in its modernity! The city has two towering landmarks—the Kuala Lumpur Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers. The 421-meter-tall Kuala Lumpur Tower, located on a small hill in the city, is said to be the fourth tallest tower in the world. The Petronas Twin Towers, completed in 1996, stand at 452 meters and once held the title of "World's Tallest Building" for many years, even taller than the Kuala Lumpur Tower in the distance. On the 41st and 42nd floors of the Petronas Twin Towers, there is an aerial skybridge that spans between the two main towers. This rare skybridge has two levels—one for the building's staff to travel between floors, and the other is open to visitors for free. P82-83