Central Market and Merdeka Square

After having so much of fun at the National Planetarium ( do not forget to read the previous blogs) , we were anxious for our next place of visit. The bus agreed to stop us at the National Mosque so that we can have our lunch which was sponsored by the UMNO bahagian Cheras (we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the food) and also stop to pray. This National Mosque which is located in Kuala Lumpur has a capacity of 15,000 people and is situated among 13acres of beautiful garden. Designed by a three-person team from the Public work Department - UK architect Howard Ashley, and Malaysians Hisham Albakri and Baharuddin Kassim, the mosque was built in 1965.

The bus left us there and promised to fetch us again at Merdeka. Square Therefoer we decided to have a good long walk from National Mosque to Merdeka Square. However, we decided to stop at Central Market to do some shopping ( which of course turn out to be a window shopping as the things sold there were beyond the budgets of the pupil). We walked trough a tunnel from the National Mosque that links to the Dayabumi Complex. We walked inside Dayabumi till we came out and reached the entrance to the Central Market.

Dayabumi Complex is a major landmark in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It houses several commercial facilities and is one of the earliest skyscrapers in the city. It was designed in a modern Islamic style. The facade of the tower is adorned with patterns of eight-pointed stars, and Islamic arches at the top and bottom of the tower.

Central Market was founded in 1888 and originally used as a wet market, while the current building was completed in 1937. It is now a landmark for Malaysia culture and heritage. This unique building has created a corner to display multi-ethnicity and the stalls are zoned based on the features of each race. There are three main lanes which are the 'Lorong Melayu' , Chinese Street, and the Indian Street.

After having a good time in the Central Market, all of us walked to Merdeka Square. We manage to grab a few pictures and listen about the history of the Merdeka Square. It is situated in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It was here the Union Flag was lowered and the Malaysian hoisted for the first time at midnight on August 31, 1957. Since then, Merdeka Square has been the usual venue for the annual Merdeka Parade (National Day Parade) .

The bus fetched us here and we headed to our next place of visit!