The river confluence
The spot where the city began and got its name.
Ariyanto — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0
This is where Kuala Lumpur was born. At exactly this spot the Klang and Gombak rivers meet, and here in the nineteenth century grew the tin-miners' settlement called Kuala Lumpur, the muddy confluence. On the spit of land between the two rivers stands the city's oldest mosque, built in 1909, with white domes and red-brick arches in the Mughal-Indian style. It is small next to the National Mosque, but many think it the more beautiful, because its setting on the water among the city's glass towers makes it look like a survivor from another age. Its galleries are ringed with palms, and the best view is from the bridge or from the riverside walk opposite. The River of Life project has turned the banks in front of it into a clean promenade, and in the evening blue lights and a fine mist play over the water in what locals call the Blue Pool, a sight worth staying on after sunset for. Muslims may pray here at prayer times. Non-Muslims are welcome at set hours, mornings until half past twelve and afternoons until four, with no tourist visits on Fridays, in modest dress, with headscarves lent at the door. Masjid Jamek light-rail station is two minutes' walk away.
The spot where the city began and got its name.
Blue lights and mist over the water in front of the mosque at night.
White domes and red-brick Mughal-Indian arches.
Jalan Tun Perak, at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers, Kuala Lumpur
Merdeka SquareAt midnight on 31 August 1957 the Union Jack came down here and the flag of an i3 minutes walk4.6
Central Market (Pasar Seni)A pale-blue Art Deco building from 1937 that was once the city's fish and vegeta5 minutes walk4.5
National Mosque of MalaysiaInstead of the usual dome, this mosque is crowned by a roof shaped like a folded11 minutes walk4.7
KL TowerThis telecoms tower is shorter than the Petronas Towers, but it stands on a hill12 minutes walk4.5
Islamic Arts Museum MalaysiaThe largest museum of Islamic art in Southeast Asia, and arguably the finest thi13 minutes walk4.6For Muslims, praying Maghrib here and staying for the Blue Pool lit up afterwards is the finest visit. For non-Muslims, come in the morning, then return in the evening for the view from the riverside walk.