Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the largest city of Malaysia. Being a young city (founded only in 1857) it developed fast into a bustling metropolis of 1.5 million people (6 million including the satellite cities in the Klang Valley). Kuala Lumpur, or simply KL (as it is it called by Malaysians), literally means “muddy estuary” in Bahasa Malaysia. With good and cheap accommodation, great shopping and even better food in this multi-cultural melting pot, increasing numbers of travellers are discovering this little gem of a city.
Having been in the shadow of other big cities in the region like Bangkok and Singapore, KL was put back on the map for good with the opening the Petronas Twin Towers in 1997, until 2004 the highest and still one of the most impressive buildings in the world. Though, the sights are not what makes this city unique, it’s KL itself and it’s mixture of people and visitors. 

Kota Bharu

Kota Bharu is the state capital of Kelantan.The name means ‘new city’ or ‘new castle/fort’ in Bahasa Malaysia. Kota Bharu is situated in the northeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia. In 2005, it had an estimated population of 425,294, making it the largest town on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.It’s known for its colourful markets and the muslim culture.

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Georgetown and Melaka just became Unesco world heritage sites

On Monday, July 7, 2008, the historic city centre of Melaka and Georgetown, Penang with their mostly Chinese shophouses and colonial buildings were just been added into the list of Unesco World Heritage sites. Therefore, Malaysia now has four sites on the list, the other two being Gunung Mulu National Park (Sarawak, tropical karst area) and Kinabalu Park (Sabah, highest peak in South-east Asia).

With such announcement, Peninsula Malaysia now has 2 World Hertiage sites. Hopefully this title, it will bring even more efforts to preserve the historical architecture, restore and refurbish old houses and prevent them from being demolished and replaced with new buildings. The atmosphere in the streets with its 2-storey shophouses, walkways and colonial buildings is truly unique, especially during the night with the lighting effect, the peaceful atmosphere when the traffic has slowed down. Much effort has been done for the past few years to upgrade the area, proper side-walks has been constructed, the river (Melaka) has been cleaned, etc. However, some of the measures taken by locals are a little over-doing and unconsciously spoilt the original feel of what the quarters used to have. With the title as Unesco World Heritage site, every measures to renovate or build within the awarded area will be monitored closely. If the historical buildings are being threaten by the act of demolishing, the title will be removed by Unesco itself as the objective is to maintain its origins and Unesco will keep monitoring the devolopment of the Heritage Sites.

The core areas encompass the historical sites of George Town, including the Lebuh Acheh historical enclave and sites such as the Lebuh Acheh Malay Mosque, Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Kling Mosque, the Goddess of Mercy Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, Khoo Kongsi, St George's Church, Assumption Church, St Xavier's Institution, Convent Light Street, Little India, the museum and court building, the commercial area of Beach Street, Fort Cornwallis, Esplanade, City Hall, the clan jetties and the port areas.

In Malacca, the historical sites near the St Paulā??s Hill, the 17th century Dutch Stadhuys buildings, Jonker Street with its Dutch-era buildings, Jalan Tukang Besi, Kampung Morten and Malacca River have been recognised as part of the world heritage sites.

Quote from the UNESCO Wolrd Heritage Centre:

Melaka and George Town, historic cities of the Straits of Malacca (Malaysia) have developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West in the Straits of Malacca. The influences of Asia and Europe have endowed the towns with a specific multicultural heritage that is both tangible and intangible. With its government buildings, churches, squares and fortifications, Melaka demonstrates the early stages of this history originating in the 15th-century Malay sultanate and the Portuguese and Dutch periods beginning in the early 16th century. Featuring residential and commercial buildings, George Town represents the British era from the end of the 18th century. The two towns constitute a unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/450


Melaka

The Red Square with Clock Tower (built in 1886, not by the Dutch), Christ Church (built between 1741 and 1753 by the Dutch), Stadthuys (completed 1610 by the Dutch):


St.Pauls Church (built in 1521 by the Portuguese)


Chinese shophouses

part of Melaka River that has been cleaned up and renovated in 2007


>> more about Melaka



Georgetown

Old City Hall, Colonial District (built by the British in late 18th century)


Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (built in late 19th century), UNESCO Most Excellent Heritage Conservation Award in 2000


Chinatown


>> more about Georgetown
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Comments:

i have written on a few expected changes once listed on my blog. it’s a more open discussion.. visit my link guys.

Shah
http://www.melakageorgetownworldheritagesite.com/2008/07/what-is-next-after-world-heritage.html

By Shah on Jul 14, 2008

I look at it the same way as Ilyas. Over here in Germany, we have the Elbe (river) valley in Dresden on the Heritage list. Now the city plans to construct a bridge there. Unesco now gives the city one year to stop the construction or the valley will be taken off the list.
So I really hope the title will help to preserve as city councils in Malaysia allowed too much (unfitting) construction and demolition of heritage sites before.

By Tilo on Jul 12, 2008

Dear Jon,
It is unique to be on the list, if only you could realise what benefits it can offer to both cities and in turn, the country. Besides supports in terms of finance and advice from UNESCO in preserving these gems, more people will realise the importance of preserving them. So the ‘quantity’ of the sites on list is not important, because UNESCO does take care of each and every site equally.

By Ilyas on Jul 12, 2008

People at Malacca and Penang think their property prices can push up because it is so hot and unique as a “world heritage sites”

Take a clearer look, there are already more than 878 world heritage sites in the world. View it at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list

By Jon on Jul 10, 2008

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BOOK HOSTELS
STORIES
Kuala Lumpur - chaos and harmony
A story by german traveller Chris about the crazy KL traffic and the day where all cars disappeared miraculously. And a story where they escaped from the heavy in a chinese tea shop. Read the original german story here.
RANDOM GALLERY PHOTO
Kuala Terengganu
Istana Maziah
PRESS ARTICLES
The changing face of Malaysian politics (BBC)

BBC article by Jonathan Kent about a new climate in Malaysia after the stepping down of Mahathir Mohamad with funny and interesting observations of malaysian daily life.
Quote:
“They look impressed. “What about durian?” Durian is a fruit the taste of which has been described as like eating cheese off a dead body.
“Aiyoh,” I say “durian cannot,” and screw up my face.
At this point everyone will laugh. “

RANDOM LINKS
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Malay Mail
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AirAsia.com
Malaysian budget airline for south-east Asia

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Things to do & see
Melaka, Harmony Street

Jalan Tokong Besi in Chinatown is also called Harmony Street because Temples and Mosques of the three main religions of Malaysia are located peacefully in the same small street. ... more
Perhentian Islands, Long Beach (Pasir Panjang)

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Most popular beach on the small Island for backpackers with many chalets and restaurants, snorkel spots right at the beach ... more
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