Click to download PDF version

If you’ve checked out Kuala Lumpur’s hippest hot spots and wondering if there’s a slower, traditional side to Malaysia’s capital city, then Kampung Bharu might be the answer. Located just mere minutes away from the Petronas Twin Towers, it offers an authentic kampung (village) experience without you venturing an inch from the city centre.

The KL City Hall organises the free 2.5-hour Jalan-Jalan@Kampung Bharu walking tour that takes you through religious landmarks, centuries-old houses and traditional shops while local villages go about their daily life, clad in their batik and kain pelikat (chequered sarong worn by men). These are some highlights of the walk:

Kelab Sultan Sulaiman

kelab-sultan-sulaiman_thestaronline
Formed in 1901, Kelab Sultan Sulaiman is a place for social meetings organised by the Kampung Bharu resident association (Pic credit: The Star)

From the Medan Tuanku monorail stop, it’s a five-minute walk to Kelab Sultan Sulaiman, the meeting point of the trail. Kampung Bharu has a special place in the history of Malay nationalism and the struggle for independence from British rule. This club – the oldest Malay social club in KL and the birthplace of Malaysia’s ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) – is where it all began.

Storied houses

Generic_photo_of_kampung_(Source_-_www
Malay houses or ‘rumah kampung’ are traditional dwellings, originating before the arrival of foreign or modern (Pic credit: KL Tourism Master Plan)

Established in the late 1890s to accommodate Kuala Lumpur’s rising number of Malay farmers, Kampung Bharu has some well-preserved traditional Malay houses. Some are over a century old, with their original zinc-slab roofs, beautiful woodcarvings and coloured glass windows still intact, making this a photographer’s paradise.

But what transforms this from a boring history lesson to an intrepid exploration are the tour’s guides, all handpicked and specially trained local experts. Throughout the trail, we heard all kinds of fascinating anecdotes, e.g. regarding how unique village characteristics were shaped by customs and environment. Did you know Malay houses were built on stilts to ward off predator animals (and not to keep out floodwater, as we thought)? Or that wooden planks were preferred as building materials because they were easy to dismantle – in the old days, families would transport the entire house if they wanted to move!

Masjid Jamek

masjidjamekkgbharu
The present restored structure of Masjid Jamek incorporates Mughal and Malay elements, with exquisite mosaics adorning the gateway of the mosque

Instantly recognisable by its blue-and-white mosaic gateway, this principal mosque in Kampung Bharu is an exquisite example of Mughal and Islamic architecture, and can accommodate up to 7000 people. During Ramadhan, the mosque organises the breaking of fast, al-Quran recitations and the distribution of charity. Throughout the holy month, everyone is welcome to partake in a mass meal of bubur lambuk (rice porridge cooked with meat and aromatic herbs).

Gurdwara Tatt Khalsa

800-gurdwara-tatt
The Gurdwara or Sikh temple was built in 1922 and sits on two acres of land given by the former British administration

Sitting on the fringe of Kampung Bharu and next to the street bazaar, this is the largest Sikh temple in South East Asia. Built in 1922, it doubles as a religious school for the Sikh community and runs Punjabi language classes. Come on Sunday for the complimentary vegetarian lunch.

Restoran Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa

nasilemak
Restoran Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa is one of the most recognised nasi lemak establishments in Kuala Lumpur

Rated “the foodie village in the middle of Kuala Lumpur” by CNN Travel in 2011, Kampung Bharu is probably best known for being the birthplace of Malaysia’s national dish nasi lemak, a savoury of coconut milk-infused rice with spicy condiments. Of the various outlets offering this, Restoran Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa is the most famous. It was founded in 1973 by one enterprising housewife, Puan Normi Tandoh, who named it as a mark of appreciation to a Malaysia Airlines pilot who would buy her nasi lemak to bring overseas (“antarabangsa” means international).

Where: 4 Jalan Raja Muda Musa | Opens: 6PM – 5AM daily | Tel: +6019 881 8080

Traditional souvenirs

Market_Pharmacy_Tana_MS5179
Kampung Bharu is noted for its sundry shops selling products made from various herbs grown in Malaysia

Kampung Bharu is one of the few places in the Klang Valley where you can find practitioners of sunset trades within walking distance of each other. Beside the Gerak 21 foodcourt on Jalan Raja Muda Musa, you’ll find a local trader who sells traditional products made from the various herbs grown in Malaysia. Just before the Sikh temple, you’ll also come across a songkok (traditional head gear) shop, chapal (traditional slippers) makers on Jalan Raja Muda Musa, and shops selling khat (Islamic calligraphy) on Jalan Raja Abdullah.

Bundle bounty

bundle
Kampung Bharu is also a popular place for thrift shopping and you’ll see many bundle shops selling used clothes at very low prices

Way before Macklemore made vintage popular, the intrepid folks of Kampung Bharu were already into bundles, or outlets selling second-hand clothes. Sellers buy them by the container load from Japan, Korea and America without knowing its contents, so some of the clothes have seen better days. But if you look hard enough, you’ll find one-of-a-kind gems and notable designer brands.

Open-air market, Jalan Raja Alang

Malaysia-Fruits-06052014e_2x
In the evenings, the narrow street of Jalan Raja Alang is transformed into a bustling fruits and vegetables street market (Pic credit: New Straits Times)

The walk finishes at 7PM, the perfect time to dive into this bustling bazaar and sample fresh local produce like mangosteen, nangka, water apples and delicacies like tempoyak (fermented durian). From the abundance of local wares and products, you get the sense that the market caters to locals rather than tourists.

Zafigo_Article-Highlight_Alex

Jalan-Jalan@Kampung Bharu takes place between 4.15PM – 7.00PM every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday | Bookings: Call Kelab Sultan Sulaiman at +603 2698 0332 or email pelancongan@dbkl.gov.my

 

PageEnd2

Read Next:

TuguNegara_266x166 YutKee_266x166 KLBicycle_266x166
Tugu Negara: A Quiet Afternoon With Unnamed Heroes Hip & Heritage Hotspots Around Medan Tuanku What You Need To Know About Exploring Kuala Lumpur On A Bicycle
 
Get all the latest travel updates from Zafigo. Follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.
 
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0