Sunday, May 13, 2007

Museums in Kuala Lumpur

There are many museums in Kuala Lumpur you can visit, some of which require an admission fee and some where admission is free. In this post, there will be many photos. Click on the photo to see an enlarged version. Here are a list of museums in Kuala Lumpur:

Kuala Lumpur National Museum

Kuala Lumpur National MuseumThe National Museum is located at the fringe of Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Perdana), diagonally opposite KL Sentral. In the museum, there are many galleries including Metalwork and Musical Instruments Gallery, the National Sports Gallery, the Historical Gallery, Cultural Gallery and Natural History Gallery. Other facilities include a library with more than 6,500 titles catering to researchers, students and individuals in the field of archaeology, ethnology, a conservation laboratory, natural history and other similar disciplines, and a photographic studio containing slides and negatives on various subjects of interest to the museum.

Themed exhibitions are held now and then. On the museum grounds are static displays including vintage cars. old locomotives and a replica of an ancientmala palace.

Address:
Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2282 6255, 2282 7267

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm daily.
Admission: RM1 (USD0.29) for adult. Free for children below 12 years.

National History Museum

Kuala Lumpur National History MuseumThe Kuala National History Museum is housed in a former commercial bank dating back to 1910 which was converted to to display artifacts and materials showcasing Malaysia's historical heritage. It carries out research, collection, recording and publication on the nation's treasures. The building's Moorish features and Islamic motifs of this tri-level building blend well with its neighbouring Mogul buildings.

Items displayed include the First Federation of Malaya flag raised after the Union Jack flag was lowered on the night of August 31, 1957 to signify the independence of the Malay states from Great Britain, the table on which the 1874 Pangkor Treaty was signed, a 40,000-year-old homo sapien skulls, a 520 million-year-old metamorphic sandstone and an eight-sided gold coin dating back to the 15th century.

Address:
29, Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2694 4590/2694 4591/2694 4592

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm daily
Admission is free

Textile Museum

Kuala Lumpur Textile MuseumThe Sultan Abdul Samad Building located opposite the Kuala Lumpur railway station has been converted to the Textile Museum displaying an interesting range of Malaysian made textiles from various states. It also provides information on the usage, creativity and foreign influences in the local Malaysian textiles. There are galleries for showing the art of batik printing, songket and pua weaving. Methods of batik making shown include batik pelangi which uses the tie-resist method used by the Malays during the 18th and 19th centuries and the kain dostar, a fabric of the native Lanun and Bajau tribe of East Malaysia.

Address:
Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: 03-2691 7136

Opening hours: 9.30am - 6pm daily
Admission fee: RM1 (USD0.29)

Malaysian Armed Force Museum

Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Armed Force MuseumThe Malaysian Armed Forces Museum is situated in the vicinity of the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) complex at Jalan Padang Tembak. It was established to develop and maintain a national collection of historical material relating to Malaysian military history from 1933 to the present.

Emblem of the Malaysian Armed Force GeneralInclude in its exhibits are emblems worn by military personnel. The one on the left is for a General.

There are five galleries are dedicated to specific areas for the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. The museum houses an interesting collection of artifacts from World War II, the Communist Insurgency and Indonesian Confrontation, military technology, heraldry and achievements of military commanders, historical pictures, uniforms and decorations of the Malaysian armed forces, the Malaysian armory, naval guns, artillery, old canons, military aircraft and vehicles.

Address:
Jalan Padang Tembak, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03- 2692 1333

Open: 10am - 4pm, daily.
Closed: Friday, Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji

Royal Malaysian Air Force Museum

Kuala Lumpur Royal Malaysian Air Force MuseumThe Royal Malaysian Air Forces Museum started with a humble beginning at the Sungai Besi Air Force Base when the exhibits then only consisted of five aircrafts and for two years the Museum occupied only half a hangar belonging to No 2 Squadron. When the new base at Subang became operational in 1987 and many units moved to Subang, the Museum quickly took over the Engineering Support Unit hangar next door and the building complex next to it, which used to accommodate the Full Time Support Helicopters (Heli FTS). The Museum then started bringing back old Air Force aircraft that were phased out since the early 1960s. Unfortunately, one aircraft, the Handley Page Herald 401 could not be acquired. Efforts to acquire it from Channel Express (Air Services) Ltd was not successful as they had phased out their Herald fleet in 1999 .

As space in the hangers is limited, most of the larger aircraft are parked outside in the open while the smaller and delicate ones occupy its only hangar. Two of the oldest aircraft from the early years before the formation of the RMAF are also being exhibited. Today, 18 aircraft are on display in the hangar and the Museum compound. Among them are:

* Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer
* Scottish Aviation Single Pioneer
* Percival Hunting Piston Provost
* Scottish Aviation Bulldog
* Bell 47G-5 helicopter
* de Havilland Dove
* CAC Avon-Sabre jet
* Cessna 310F
* de Havilland Chipmunk
* de Havilland Tiger Moth
* Canadair CL41G Tebuan
* North American Harvard
* de Havilland Heron
* HU-16 Albatross
* A-4PTM Skyhawk
* Westland Wasp

Included in the display are items such as articles, aircraft models, photographs, mementos, uniforms, engines, armament and communication equipment which shows the history and development of the Air Force in Malaysia.

Address:
Jalan Padang Tembak, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-241 1133 ext. 4129/4198

Opening hours:
Monday - Thursday: 8am - 4pm
Friday: closed
Saturday: 8am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 5pm

Admission fee: Free

Royal Malaysian Police Museum

Kuala Lumpur Royal Malaysian Police MuseumThe Royal Malaysian Police Museum has on display some 2,500 items relating to crime and crime prevention. They include items related to secret societies, gaming and lotteries, crime charts, lethal weapons, offences, weapons surrendered or captured from communist insurgents, communist documents and photographs of the police force.

Address:
No. 5, Jalan Perdana, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2272 5689/2272 5690

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm, daily inclusive Public Holidays
Closed: Monday.

Admission fee: Free

Kuala Lumpur Biomedical Museum

Kuala Lumpur Biomedical MuseumThe Kuala Lumpur Biomedical Museum objective is to be a central biomedical reference repository for Institute for Medical Research (IMR) and the Ministry of Health (MOH). Included in its exhibits are the IMR Layout Model Plan, posters of research highlights and historical exhibits of instruments used by past researchers, including items such as autoclaves and a centrifuge. There is also an educational model showing habitats of different species of mosquitoes appropriately labeled to inform the public about which vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue, are transmitted by the mosquitoes.

Kuala Lumpur Biomedical MuseumThe Kuala Lumpur Biomedical Museum has two exhibition galleries. In the historical section are posters displaying the history of IMR with its achievements and research write-ups plus displays of photographs of past researchers and their research activities, a collection of antique laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, scales or balances and other small equipment, preserved specimens of human organs showing various pathologies appropriately labeled and displayed in a special section, publications and annual reports from the years 1900 – 1929 and photographs of past Directors of IMR since 1900.

The second gallery has several posters showing current research findings and achievements of IMR since its beginnings in the 1900s and IMR souvenirs in celebration of the institute's 50, 75 and 100 years.

The museum specimen room has a collection of dry specimens of small mammals, such as squirrels, flying squirrels, rodents and flying foxes, preserved wet specimens of reptiles, amphibians and mammals, such as frogs, snakes and bats.

The Kuala Lumpur Biomedical Museum facilities are used by researchers from the local institutions as well as from institutes outside the country as a source of reference with emphasis on the study of zoonotic diseases and their modes of transmission plus rodent control measures.

Address:
Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-298 6033

Open hours:
Monday to Friday: 7.30pm - 4.45pm
Friday: closed from 12.15pm - 2.45pm
Saturday: 7.30am - 1.15pm

Admisson fee: Free

Petrosains Museum

Kuala Lumpur Petrosains Museum
The Kuala Lumpur Petrosains Museums is a state-of-the-art interactive petroleum discovery centre that tells the story of petroleum industry, informs visitors on the involvement of Malaysia in the petroleum industry and create greater awareness of the exciting career opportunities available in the petroleum industry.

It has over 150 exhibits to show visitors the crucial role played by science and technology in the petroleum industry and include all other aspects of general sciences. There are others interesting features such as Giant Diorama with a Singing Dinosaur and other authentic replicas of prehistoric plants and animals, Dark Rides through the rainforest and over mountains, Molecule "Nanoworld" Experience, Helicopter Simulator Ride to the "true-to-life" Oil Rig etc.

Petrosains is designed as a modern interactive museum that allows visitors to interact with the exhibits on display. A visit begins with a fascinating ride and then proceeds in a linear sequence through 7,000 square metres of exhibit area containing interactive exhibits, fun activities and displays. The front-line personnel act as presenters, demonstrators, guides as well as facilitators for the visitors' enjoyment and learning experience.

Address:
Level 4, Suria KLCC, KualaLumpur.
Tel: 03- 581 8181

Opening hours:
Saturday - Thursday: 9.30am - 5.30pm (last admission at 4.30pm)
Friday: 2.30pm - 7.30pm (last admission 6.00pm)
Monday: closed

Asian Art Museum

Kuala Asian Art MuseumThe Kuala Lumpur Asian Art Museum has on display collections of textiles originating from various Asian countries and sculptures. The museum contains some 2,000 volumes on Asian slides, pictures and art films for research purposes.

Address
University of Malaya,
Jalan Pantai,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-7957 1066/1

Opening hours:
Monday - Friday: 8.45am - 4.45pm
Friday: closed from 12pm - 2pm
Saturday: 8.45am - 12.30pm
Public Holidays: closed

Admission fee: Free

Bank Negara Money Museum

Kuala Lumpur Bank Negara Money MuseumThe Kuala Lumpur Bank Negara Money Museum is housed within the Central Bank (Bank Negara) building located diagonally opposite the Royal Selangor Club, which itself is right in front of the well known Selangor Padang (Dataran Merdeka). It serves as a repository for the country's numismatic heritage. Bank Negara Malaysia started issuing its own currency in 1967. From 1979, it began purchasing coins with the aim of setting up its own Money Museum. As the Bank receives many visitors including school children and VIPs, Bank Negara felt it would be good to display its collection and preserve the national heritage by hosting a public museum to show the evolution of money in the country from early to modern times. An important objective of the museum is to distribute knowledge relating to the evolution of Malaysian currency through its exhibitions and publications. Coins, currency notes, tokens and other artifacts displayed at the museum.

Address:
Central Bank of Malaysia
Jalan Dato' Onn, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2907461/2907575

Open hours:
Monday - Friday: 9am - 4.30pm
Saturday: 9am - 12pm
Sunday and Public Holidays: closed

Admission fee: Free

Maybank Numismatic Museum

Kuala Lumpur Maybank Numismatic MuseumThe Maybank Numismatic Museum is situated on the first floor of Menara Maybank at Jalan Tun Perak, diagonally opposite the Pudu Raya Bus Terminal in KL. It was set up to preserve the country's currency heritage. There is an impressive collection of local and regional coins and notes from the time of early Malaya until the present day, some dating back to the Melaka Sultanate period. It is also a centre for research into Malaysia's numismatic history.

You are not allowed to take photographs, but there are postcards and brochures depicting the collection.

Address:
100, Jalan Tun Perak,
1st Floor, Menara Maybank,
Kuala Lumpur
(Diagonally opposite the Pudu Raya Bus Terminal).
Tel: 03-230 8833 ext 3099

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm, daily.
Closed: Public Holidays

Admission fee: Free

Telekom Museum

Kuala Lumpur Telekom MuseumKuala Lumpur Telekom Museum is located at the junction of Jalan Raja Chulan and Jalan Gereja. It is housed in a unique two story building of Neo Classical Greek architecture. The building was constructed in 1928 to house the Central Battery Manual Telephone Exchange. The building features eight imposing pillars as its dominant feature and was gazette for conservation in 1985 after the then Prime Minister stepped in to stop it from being demolished to be replaced by a new office complex. The restoration of the building cost more than 10 million ringgit.

In the beginning, the building was used as a telephone exchange. Today, this Neo Classical Greek 70-year-old two-storey building features eight imposing columns and contains a sprawling 900 square metres of exhibition space. It is the first interactive museum in the country. It is also known as the Museum Telekomunikasi Negara or National Telecommunications Museum. The display encompasses 120 years of telecommunications development, from the early days of the Morse Code Telegraph with its "ketuk-ketuk" (click-click) to the cellular phones and digital networks of today.

Address:
Jalan Gereja, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-201 9966

Opening hours:
Tuesday - Sunday: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Monday: closed:

Admission fee: Free

MISC Museum

Kuala Lumpur MISC MuseumThe Kuala Lumpur Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC) Museum is the first of its kind Malaysia. It is situated at the ground floor of Wisma MISC in Jalan Conlay. The Museum provides an insight into MISC's development as the national shipping line since its incorporation in 1968. The museum has 12 sections, each dealing with a particular range of related subjects such as history of ships in Malaysia, shipbuilding, ships of the world, maritime laws, communications at sea and career at sea.

Address
Wisma MISC,
2, Jalan Conlay,
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-242 8088

Open hours:
Monday - Friday: 8.30am - 4.30pm
Saturday: 8.30am - 12.30pm

Admission fee: Free

Forestry Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) Museum

Kuala Lumpur Forestry Research Institute (FRIM) MuseumThe Forestry Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) Museum is situated on the sprawling grounds of the Forestry Research Institute Malaysia at Kepong, 15km from Kuala Lumpur. It has an arboretum set up with the objective of collecting and displaying the different varieties of tree species found in the country. The museum also serves to inform the public on Malaysia's rich forest heritage and exhibits the different species of wood, their use and products. Guided tours are available by prior appointment.

Address:
Forest Research Institute of Malaysia,
Kepong,
Selangor.
Tel: 03-6274 2633

Opening hours:
8am - 4.15pm (daily)
8am - 12.45prn (Saturday)
Closed: Sundays and Public Holidays

Admission fee: RM3 per car

Islamic Arts Museum

Kuala Lumpur Islamic Arts MuseumThe Kuala Lumpur Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia is situated at Jalan Lembah Perdana. It has various themed galleries among which are the Islamic Architecture Gallery which showcases miniature replicas of renowned buildings such as the lmam lsmail Albukhary Mosque and Museum, Taj Mahal, the Amir Timur Mausoleum, the Standard Chartered Ottoman Room which displays objects from the reign of the Ottoman Empire of Turkey and Syria and the AI-Quran and Manuscript Gallery which houses a collection of more than 200 Islamic manuscripts including a 30-judz' AI-Quran from the Ming Dynasty.

Address:
Jalan Lembah Perdana,
50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2074 2020

Opening hours:
Tuesday-Sunday: 10am - 6pm
Closed: Monday

Admission fee: RM8

1 comment: