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3.5
A visit to the Museum is essential in order to have a better appreciation of Malay culture -- its richness, its role in the history of the Southeast Asian region. The museum is not so huge, mainly occupying 2 stories, but it has very interesting collections, and have a wealth of information though not too much that it overwhelms. One wing is devoted to prehistory, with artifacts dating from the Neolithic age, and bones and skulls of early man (remember, Java man was discovered in this part of Asia). Also displayed are menhirs which i found to be much more interesting than the ones found in Europe (see my photo). Another wing is devoted to the glory days of the Malay sultanate -- the elegance of their attire, their jewelry, the weaponry. What is striking is how the major religions and cultures have converged in the archipelago all through the centuries, where each have found its unique place -- a testament to the high degree of tolerance with which they were allowed to practice, and even, flourish.
The museum has an ongoing exhibit (until early 2012, i believe) which is very much worth visiting -- Treasures from the Shipwrecks, housed in a small building annexed to the main. As the archipelago was a major trading port, all ships which traded valuable goods in Asia passed through the straits. Some were not so lucky -- either from the storms or from pirate attacks. The sea around the straits, thus, is rich in these finds, and what are exhibited in the museum come from about 2 decades of salvage and research. They are very impressive, most are exquisite decorative objects of high value -- impressive not only in their beauty, but also in their preservation.
The exhibit charges a separate ticket (about 2 euros), while the permanent collection also charges separately (about 1 euro). Three hours or half a morning is enough for a good visit.
There is a cafeteria near the entrance which serves meals and snacks. The meals can be either from the buffet or ordered separately. The buffet has a lot of choices, and quite good (rather home-like cooking), and very cheap (about 2 euros, including drinks). Toilets, (as public toilets elsewhere in the country) which are adjacent to the cafeteria charge .30 ringgit.
The only thing I didn't like about the museum is the lack of seats, or places to rest. There are none inside the rooms, and only very few (which can seat only 3) in the main lobby. Not friendly at all, especially to the elderly, and to the weary tourists. Also that the toilets are located outside the building, quite far for, again especially the elderly.
Written Nov 12, 2011
Address: Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur 50566
Phone: +60 3 2282 6255
National Museum of Malaysia is away from the KL city center. It has traditional Malay house architecture. I personally does not impress with it, and the museum has poor maintenance of the facade. This two-story building has four major galleries to illustrated the history, cultures, customs, and religions of Malaysia.
Gallery A: Early History including Sundaland, Perak Man, Dongson Drum, and Buddha Gupta Stone.
Gallery B: The Malay Kingdoms including trade routes, Malacca, Islam, and Keris.
Gallery C: The Colonial Era including The Portuguese, The Dutch, The British, and The Japanese.
Gallery D: Malaysia Today including Post-War Era, 1948-1960 Emergency, 1957 Independence, and Modern Malaysia.
If you want to learn the history and culture of Malaysia, this would be a great place to start.
Admission: RM5 per Adult.
Opening Hours: 9am-6pm.
Guide Tours with different languages available.
Updated Sep 13, 2011
Address: Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur 50566
Phone: +60 3 2282 6255
Website: www.muziumnegara.gov.my
Helpfulness
Malaysia's premier museum located on the fringe of the KL Lake Gardens serves as a repository for the nation's rich history & heritage. Its facade features a styled roof & 2 impressive front murals. It has 4 main galleries: Cullture, Face of Malaysia, Natural History & Weaponry, Traditional Musical Instruments & Ceramics. Highlights are Malay dagger, ceramics from Ming Dynasty & musical instruments from parts of Asia. Outdoor displays include vintage cars, old steam locomotive & a replica of old Malay palace.
Entrance RM2 Adults, RM1 Kids
Opens 9am-6pm daily
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur 50566
Phone: +60 3 2282 6255
Helpfulness
I always believe to make a point to visit the National Museum of the country I'm visiting. One would of course unable to store in all the historical details but would inevitably have a general knowledge of how the particular country was formed or what she has been through.
The Malaysian National Museum is located at Jalan Damansara. There are a few routes where one can take. The site itself used to be the Selangor Museum, which is one of the fourteen states in the Federation of Malaysia. Construction of the Museum started in 1961 after a few terrible incidents during World War I and World War II and completed in 1965 - the same year it was opened to public.
The Museum consists of local history, culture, traditions, arts & crafts, local flora and fauna as well as defence systems. It's a good place to start off to learn about the country.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur 50566
Phone: +60 3 2282 6255
Helpfulness
The site of the Muzium Negara - on a hill facing Jalan Travers - was originally the site for the old Selangor Museum which was opened in 1906 and later accidentally destroyed by the Allied forces during the World War 2. In 1952, a small new building was erected at the same site to display national treasures and was officially opened by the British Resident then, Sir Gerald Templer. Upon independence, the small building was demolished in 1959 to make way for the present museum which was officially opened in August 1963.
The Museum Negara was built in the style of a Malay palace. It consist of a large central main entrance hall that is flanked by two exhibition wings. The two large murals on the exterior of the exhibition wings depicts scenes of the country - the mural on the rights depicts the culture and customs of Malaysian while the one on the left chronicals the historical episodes of the nations. The museum was later extended in the 1990s to include a library, an auditorium and an additional exhibition hall for thematic exhibitions.
The museum houses various galleries with different themes - Historical Gallery, Cultural Gallery, Metalworks and Musical Instrument Gallery, National Sports Gallery and the National History Gallery. Apart from the permanent exhibits, the musueum also holds regular thematic exhibitions, most noteably its Treasures from the Graves, Enduring Beauty and World of Ghosts exhibits that drawn large crowd of curious visitors.
Visiting hours are from 9am to 6pm daily with RM1.00 entrance fee.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +603 2282 6255
Helpfulness
The National Museum is housed in a building which resembles a traditional Malaysian house, but is still a modern one. Here, you will learn about the history of the country for a ridiculously low entry fee. The Museum is divided into four parts: Pre-historics, tribes and ancient kingdoms, colonial times and modern Malaysia. As Dutch history is one of my main fields of interests, the Dutch colonial time was my favourite part. But the others were as well too. Exhibits were presented in a modern atmosphere and easily accessible to the visitors. Only the part showing modern Malaysia reminded me of state propaganda at some points and it was also difficult to remember most of the names of the people who led Malaysia into independence.
The open air exhibition has little structure, but will show some larger items of Malaysian history. This contains a steam engine train as well as the first example of the first Malaysian-made car, the Proton Saga (based on the Mitsubishi Lancer) from 1985.
Written Jan 26, 2011
Address: Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur 50566
Phone: +60 3 2282 6255
Helpfulness
In the vicinity of the museum building, there are a number of outdoor displays of transportation in Malaysia, past and present. An interesting exhibit is the Melaka Bullock Cart which closely resembles the early American horse-drawn wagon. Of unparalleled interest are the Steam Locomotive made by Kitson & Co, England, which was put into service in 1921 until it ceased operation in 1969. It covered 1.5 million rail miles; a Tin Dredge which resembles a floating factory, on a natural or artificial lake. A major achievement of Malaysia is the manufacture of the first national car – the Proton Saga 1.3 litre, on April 18, 1985.
Open: 9am-6pm every day. Admission: RM2.
Written Aug 21, 2010
Address: Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur 50566
Phone: +60 3 2282 6255
Website: http://www.muziumnegara.gov.my/
This gallery exhibits items from Malaysia's colonial period from when the Portuguese first arrived in 1511, through the Dutch period until the end of the British period in the 1950's. There's also an area devoted to the Japanese occupation during World War II.
Open: 9am-6pm every day. Admission: RM2.
Written Aug 21, 2010
Address: Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur 50566
Phone: +60 3 2282 6255
Website: http://www.muziumnegara.gov.my/
Helpfulness
The proto-Malay states of Gangga Negara and Majapahit are referenced, as well as the later Muslim Sultanate of Malacca and the various states of Malaysia. Exhibits on display here include various weapons, pots, pans and utensils, musical instruments, arts and crafts, ceramics and costumes.
Open: 9am-6pm every day. Admission: RM2.
Updated Aug 21, 2010
Address: Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur 50566
Phone: +60 3 2282 6255
Website: http://www.muziumnegara.gov.my/
The ground floor showcases the geographic and natural history of the Malay peninsula starting with the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. Exhibits on display include flint and stone tools, axes, and pre-historic remains.
Open: 9am-6pm every day. Admission: RM2.
Written Aug 21, 2010
Address: Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur 50566
Phone: +60 3 2282 6255
Website: http://www.muziumnegara.gov.my/
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Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur 50566
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Write a ReviewThe ground floor showcases the geographic and natural history of the Malay peninsula starting with the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. Exhibits on...
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