On our way to the hotel in Chinatown after we graced the 2012 Malaysia International Tourism Blog Awards in Saloma Theater and Restaurant, I asked my family if they want to go to Dataran Merdeka or Merdeka Square early the following morning and understandably, because of fatigue from our Penang-to-KL-trip, strolling around Bukit Bintang and lack of sleep, Tina and Gabby chose to curl up longer under the sheets in the hotel and passed up the plan. However, my mom gave me a nod and was ready to go with his son’s itchy feet.
I promised Tina that we’ll be back at the hotel in time for the breakfast buffet that’s included in the package we availed, so we could eat the first meal of the day altogether.
Just before clock hits 7AM, my mom and I took a taxi cab from Chinatown to Merdeka Square and reached the park roughly after 5 minutes. My mom and I strolled around Merdeka Square or literally, Independence Square for less than an hour, took those photos and headed back to our hotel in Petaling Street before 8AM.
If the Philippines has Rizal Park, formerly known as Luneta, Malaysia’s capital city has Dataran Merdeka. It’s a vast park, even more massive than you could imagine! I just wished we had more time exploring the vicinity of the park; there’s always a next time anyway.
Surrounding the square are many buildings of historical interest including the Royal Selangor Club Complex which is situated on one side of the square, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the National History Museum (formerly the Chartered Bank Building) and the Memorial Library, a building dating back to 1909, St. Mary’s Anglican Cathedral, a Gothic style building which is more than a hundred years old, the original Kuala Lumpur Railway Station (next to the Sultan Abdul Samad Building), the 102-year old Sanitary Board fountain and the impressive modern Dayabumi Complex.
A 95-meter flagpole, one of the tallest in the world, marks that spot with a flat, round black marble plaque. It is located at the southern end of the square.
The quasi-Tudor style timber structure was built in 1890 and remains a place to watch a game of cricket on a Sunday afternoon.
The Royal Selangor Club’s Tudor-style building, originally built in 1890 is in stark contrast to the Moghul-styled Sultan Abdul Samad Building across the square. -Sourced via Wiki
I also found out from a quick glance at Wiki that this Indepence Square was the starting line of The Amazing Race ASIA 1 back in 2006…Enjoy the photos! 
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