Tuesday...Historic Kuala Lumpur walking tour

This morning we felt like it was time to venture through the historic districts of Kuala Lumpur on a scenic city walking tour, courtesy of the lonely planet guide book.

We started out at the far end of Chinatown, just stumbling distance from our hotel; taking in the Koon Yam temple, Chan See Shu Yuen temple and Guandi temple (pictured rigt) - all highly decorated and elaborate temples/clan houses that were wreathed in incense and religious prayer calls.  We decided to take shelter in one whilst we enjoyed our Dim Sum breakfast (3rd morning in a row and still delicious!).

As we walked up past the old central market we were beginning to realise that 'old' Kuala Lumpur was not old at all, we felt lucky when we stumbled across a building that was more than 100 years old!  The brightly painted shophouses which stood on the site of the city's first market dated from 1906!!

As we ended our Chinatown tour we turned the page and started the Colonial KL and little India walking tour, which started at Merdeka Square.  The Square which was formerly called the Padang, and in it's hayday used as a cricket pitch had been renamed after 31st August 1957 when Malaysia declared it's independance from the British Empire in that very place (Merdeka meaning Independance in Malay). 

The square was littered with old Colonial era buildings; from the national history museum building, the Royal Selangor club (mock tudor buildings which were the social centre for KL's elite in the 1890s), and the Sultan Abdul Samad building, built in 1894 for the British administration (pictured right).  Across the green was also the small St Mary's cathedral, also built in 1894.

The walk then took us passed the Masjid Jamek mosque (pictured left), and on into the heart of little India; with the bollywood soundtracks blaring, the smell of curry and spices hanging in the air and the hustle and bustle of the small market that lined the pedestrian street.

At the end of our walk we jumped on the monorail to make the short journey out to Titiwangsa station (for or feet to have a chance to rest) and then the about turn back to our station close to the hotel.

Tonight, weather permitting we are going to visit the local 'movie theatre' and see a film!!