[This article was first published on 26th August 2015, has been updated by Hemala Devaraj on 16th August 2024 and Nuril Junaidi as at 9th September 2025.]
One of the best things about being Malaysian is enjoying our endless public holidays and wonderful cultural celebrations! This Malaysia Day, why not spend some of that time exploring and learning more about Malaysia, especially with the little ones?
Here are some places we recommend visiting to give the kids a little exposure on Malaysia’s history, from its formation all the way to its declaration of independence and more:
Table of Contents
Monuments
2. Tugu Negara
3. Putrajaya Millennium Monument
Galleries
4. Kuala Lumpur City Art Gallery
5. KEN Gallery
Museums
9. Bank Negara Money Museum and Art Gallery
Memorials
14. Pustaka Peringatan P. Ramlee
Monuments
1. Dataran Merdeka
Where else could be more historical than the place where the Union Jack flag was lowered and the Federation of Malaya flag was hoisted 68 years ago? Besides taking a stroll on the wide green fields overlooking KL’s city skylines, you could also head over to Sultan Abdul Samad building situated just opposite the field and appreciate its Moorish architecture.
Address: Jalan Raja, 50050 Kuala Lumpur.
2. Tugu Negara
If you are looking to expose the little ones to our fallen heroes and their sacrifices for this country, then this is the place to be. Here lies the Kuala Lumpur cenotaph which honours the soldiers from World War I and II, as well as the National Monument itself, which is dedicated especially for those who died in the 12-year Malayan Emergency. Besides that, the location is conveniently situated near the Malaysian House of Parliament, National Mosque, Lake Gardens and Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, all of which you could also visit in conjunction with Merdeka Day.
Address: Jalan Parlimen, Kuala Lumpur, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
3. Putrajaya Millennium Monument
This monument is also known as “monumen Alaf Baru“, and is the second monument to be built in Putrajaya after Mercu Tanda Putrajaya. It is situated on the waterfront in the centre of Putrajaya. As you walk around the monument, you will pass through engraved glass panels with important milestones in Malaysia’s history – definitely a fun and interesting way to let the kids learn about Malaysia.
Address: Lebuh Ehsan, Presint 2, 62100 Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan.
Galleries
4. Kuala Lumpur City Art Gallery
Feast your eyes on the work of talented Malaysian artists to explore the socio-cultural issues of our time through art. As a platform for young and emerging artists, the Gallery celebrates creativity, tolerance and openness to expression of ideas. The Gallery also actively conducts programs such as talks, forums, workshops, cross-disciplinary projects and cultural performances.
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday (11.00am to 6.30pm); Closed on Sunday and Public Holidays
Admission: Free
Address: Lot No.8, Level G4, Block C4, Publika Shopping Gallery, Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
5. KEN Gallery
KEN Gallery hopes to make arts an essential part of Malaysian life- and that goes for our children too! Bring the kids over and have them appreciating Malaysia’s heritage and culture through the varied collections and installations. Do check out the Oriental Pavillion which displays a wide collection of Malaysia brush paintings as well as the conservation centre, which is dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage for future generations. Kids above the ages of 12 years old can also visit the current exhibition, Splendours Of The Malay World Textiles, that is priced at RM35 per pax and running from the 8th August to the 31st October 2022. This exhibition will showcase the entire genre of textiles from the Malay World, such as the Songket (brocade), Limar (weft ikat), Telepuk (gold leaf applique) and Tekatan (embroidery).
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday (9.00am to 5.00pm) Weekends by appointment basis; Closed on Public Holidays
Admission: Gallery (Free), Exhibitions (Chargeable)
Address: Level M, Menara KEN TTDI, No 37 Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi, Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur.
6. Gallery Sri Perdana
Source: Arkib Negara Malaysia
Sri Perdana was used as the official residence of our 4th Prime Minister and Bapa Permodenan Malaysia Tun Dr Mahathir and his family from 1983, before they moved to Putrajaya in 1999. This gallery was created to remember the contributions of Tun Mahathir during his 22 year tenure as Prime Minister.
Operating Hours: 9:00 – 5:00pm (Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday), Closed between 12:00 – 3:00pm on Friday
Admission: Free
Address: Jalan Terengganu, Off Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.
Museums
7. Muzium Negara
Malaysia’s National Museum is surely a good place to introduce the kids to the history and diverse cultures in Malaysia, some which may have been forgotten but still very well-preserved. Besides that, the Malay World Museum, located right next to National Museum is also worth a visit. After a day of basking in the rich heritage of Malaysia, perhaps you and your family could wind down with an evening walk at the Lake Gardens which is also a nearby attraction.
Operating Hours: Daily (9.00am to 5.00pm, last entry at 4.00pm)
Admission: RM2 per person, kids below 12 can enter for free
Address: Jalan Damansara, 50566 Kuala Lumpur.
8. Museum of Asian Art
If you are keen on learning beyond Malaysian culture, make sure to head to the Museum of Asian Art that holds 7,000 treasures from about 4,000 years of Asian history. There are also occasional exhibitions and workshops held outside at the museum.
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday (8:00am to 5:00pm, Closes for a break from 1:00pm to 2:00pm); Friday (Closes for a break from 12:15pm to 2:45pm); Closed on Public Holidays
Admission: Free
Address: Museum of Asian Art, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur
9. Bank Negara Money Museum and Art Gallery
The Bank Negara Money Museum and Art Gallery is definitely for those who want a little more than the conventional museum and art gallery. It holds six galleries to enjoy and learn from: Art Gallery, Numismatics Gallery, Islamic Finance Gallery, Bank Negara Malaysia Gallery, Economics Gallery and Children’s Gallery.
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday (10:00 am to 1:00pm, 2:00am to 5:00pm, last entry is one hour before closing)
Admission: Free
Address: Sasana Kijang, 2 Jalan Dato’ Onn, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
10. Orang Asli Crafts Museum
Conveniently located right next to the National Museum, the Orang Asli Craft Museum showcases the art and crafts of the Orang Asli, the indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia. Explore the handicraft and wood carvings which relate to the Orang Asli’s ancient belief systems, whose ancestors first arrived in Malaysia tens of thousands of years ago.
Operating Hours: Everyday (9:00am to 5:00pm); Closed on the first Monday of each month
Admission: Adult (RM2); Free for children below 12 years old
Address: Orang Asli Crafts Museum, Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Jalan Damansara, 50566 Kuala Lumpur.
11. Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman
Right at the garden of the Badan Warisan Heritage Centre is one of the oldest surviving traditional Malay houses, a rescued, restored and relocated Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman. Prebook a 30 to 40 minute guided tour and get a general overview and introduction of the house and lifestyle within, with a special video on how history can be preserved through restoration and relocation.
Operating Hours: Mondays to Saturdays: 10.00am to 5.00pm. Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Guided tours: 11.00am and 3.00pm.
Admission: RM 10.00 for Guided Tours.
Address: No.2, Jalan Stonor, 50450 Kuala Lumpur.
Memorials
12. Prime Minister Memorials
For a chance to expose the kids to the contributions of past Malaysian prime ministers, be sure to visit their memorials. These memorials house all archival, museum and reading materials relating to the first three prime ministers of Malaysia. It also has exhibits such as the granite display of the Proclamation of Independence as well as their personal collection of books, photographs and even cars.
- Memorial Tunku Abdul Rahman (Address: 43-45, Jalan Dato Onn, Kuala Lumpur)
- Memorial Tun Abdul Razak (Address: Sri Taman, Jalan Perdana 50480 Kuala Lumpur)
- Memorial Tun Hussein Onn (Address: Jalan Dato Onn, 50480 Kuala Lumpur)
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday (9:00am to 5:00pm, Closes on Friday from 12.15 noon to 2.45pm); Closed on Monday
Admission: Free
13. Memorial Negarawan
Source: Arkib Negara Malaysia
Memorial Negarawan is a memorial for seven of our prominent figures who come from all over Malaysia – Tun Dr. Ismail Abdul Rahman, Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Tun V.T. Sambanthan, Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu, Tun Datu Mustapha, Tun Fuad Stephens dan Tun Temenggung Jugah.
The memorial commemorates the lives, achievements and contributions of these statesmen, especially in our nation’s struggle for independence in 1957 and the formation of Malaysia in 1963. These celebrated figures also reflect different historical backgrounds in terms of involvement in politics, social life and economics.
Operating Hours: 9:00 – 5:00pm (Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday), Closed between 12:00 – 3:00pm on Friday. Closed on Monday.
Admission: Free
Address: Jalan Dato Onn, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
14. Pustaka Peringatan P. Ramlee
Source: Arkib Negara Malaysia
The P. Ramlee Memorial Library Building was originally the former home of Malaysian icon and artist Tan Sri P. Ramlee. A key figure in the development of music and film in Malaysia in the 1950s, Tan Sri P. Ramlee’s home was turned into a library, with material and information about his life and achievements in honour of his contribution and services. The library also helps encourage the study and research of our nation’s art and cultural scene.
Operating Hours: 9:00 – 5:00pm (Tuesday to Thursday, Saturday and Sunday), Closed between 12:00 – 3:00pm on Friday. Closed on Monday
Admission: Free
Address: No. 22, Jalan Dedap, Taman P.Ramlee, Setapak, 53100 Kuala Lumpur.
Image Credits: Ahmad Safri Yusop, Phalinn Oii, Naz Amir, Bentley Smith – Creative Commons Licence; knowingkl.com; tours-malaysia.com; Arkib Negara; commons.wikimedia.org.
