subject: Pique Your Inner History Buff With These 4 Unique Museums In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [print this page] There is no scarcity of activities and sights to see with the number of tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. But if you're not in the mood to go exploring the sights of Kuala Lumpur, it's time to hit the local museums and join a guided tour that will take you to the different landmarks, practices, and history of this Southeast Asian country.
1. National Museum of Malaysia
Also known as Muzium Negara, the National Museum of Malaysia is a 3-story building that houses Malaysia's rich cultural and natural heritage. While housing priceless artifacts and exhibits, the building itself is a reflection of the country's rich heritage and progress, as its architecture mixes traditional Malay and modern features. Four exhibit galleries dedicated to Malaysia's natural history and ethnology can be found within its walls. The exhibits range from free-standing tableaux depicting cultural events to displays of arts and crafts, currencies, musical instruments, samples of the rich flora and fauna, and weapons. The National Museum of Malaysia is open from 9 am to 6 pm and offers free tours in English every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 10 AM.
2. National Textile Museum
As its name suggests, this museum in Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin in Kuala Lumpur traces the development of textile from the prehistoric times to how it has shaped the lives of people today. The museum building, which was completed in 1896, originally housed various government departments and institutions before it was refurbished as a museum in 2007. It has four galleries, each named after traditional elements of textile: Pohon (tree) Gallery for prehistoric times, Pelangi (rainbow) Gallery for heritage collections from Malaysia's ethnic groups, Teluk Berantai (interlocking bays) Gallery for Malay heritage collections, and Ratna (jewel) Sari Gallery for jewelry collections. The museum is open from 9 AM to 6 PM daily.
3. Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM)
Inaugurated in 1998, IAMM aims to increase public awareness on Islamic arts, architecture, artifacts, and books. The museum has 2 floors of permanent galleries and 2 special galleries for temporary exhibitions. Among the 7,000 priceless artifacts the museum houses are a vast collection of Islamic art books, jewelries, arms and armors, and coins and seals, each a reflection of the richness of Islamic art. The museum is located at the heart of the city. It is within walking distance to the National Mosque, Birds Park, National Planetarium, and Kuala Lumpur hotels. The IAMM is open Mondays to Sundays, from 10 AM to 6 PM.
4. National Automobile Museum
The ground floor of the National Automobile Museum traces the history of Malaysia's transportation system with an exhibit of the country's early cars. One of its floors highlights yearly motor sport events such as F1 racing, the Super GT International Series race and MotoGP race. The Sepang International Circuit (SIC), the venue of the Formula 1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix, is the site of this Kuala Lumpur attraction. The national Automobile Museum is open from 9 AM to 6 PM daily, and admission is free of charge.
