The mounted guard
Royal guards in traditional uniform on horseback at the gate.
CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · CEphoto, Uwe Aranas — CC BY-SA 3.0 · EmpAhmadK — CC BY-SA 4.0
The seat of Malaysia's king, in a country with a unique system in which the state sultans take turns on the throne every five years. The present palace was completed in 2011 across a wide stretch of hilly ground, its gold domes visible from afar, replacing the old palace in the centre, which is now a royal museum. Know this before you go: the palace itself is closed to visitors, and the visit is limited to the huge main gate. What you see is the royal guard on horseback in traditional uniform before the gate, and the changing of the guard, which takes place daily and is best seen in the morning around ten. From the forecourt you can photograph the domes behind the walls. It is a very short stop, twenty minutes at most, so not worth a separate trip unless you love ceremonial photographs. It works best as a drive-by on a city tour, and it is included in most organised tours. The forecourt is exposed to the sun, so early morning is kinder, and photography from the forecourt is fine as long as you respect the guards and do not touch them or block their way.
Royal guards in traditional uniform on horseback at the gate.
A daily ceremony, best seen in the morning.
Visible from the forecourt behind the palace walls.
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim (formerly Jalan Duta), Kuala Lumpur
No, the current palace is entirely closed to visitors. To see a royal interior, visit the old palace in the city centre, now the Royal Museum.