National Museum of Malaysia, National museum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The National Museum of Malaysia is a three-storey building 109.7 metres long and 15.1 metres wide, rising 37.6 metres at its central point. Its design by architect Ho Kok Hoe draws on Malay royal palace and vernacular architecture. Mosaic murals span the entrance, and the central hall floor is laid with special tiles given by the government of Pakistan.
Construction began in 1959 as a replacement for the Selangor Museum destroyed in World War II and ended with the inauguration in 1963. The building was meant to reflect the newly won independence and preserve the cultural heritage.
Visitors see traditional Malay musical instruments and weapons in the large halls, while ceramic collections and objects from different regions show the diversity of the country. The exhibitions follow a clear sequence through rooms, each dedicated to a different aspect of life.
The museum opens daily and sits in a park with open space around the building. Visitors can walk through the rooms at their own pace and find enough room for strollers or wheelchairs.
Outside stands a steam locomotive from 1921 next to a wooden palace showing the building style from Terengganu. Both exhibits sit in the open air and offer a direct view of the construction.
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