Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur

Dataran Merdeka (GPS: 3.14915, 101.69373), or Independence Square, is a field right in the middle of the city of Kuala Lumpur. Also known as Merdeka Square, the Padang and the Selangor Club Padang, Dataran Merdeka commemorates the historic Independence celebrations on 31 August 1957, when the British Union Jack was lowered for the last time, and Malaya became an independent nation after 446 years of colonialism, beginning with the fall of Malacca. Indeed the word "merdeka" is Malay of "independence."

Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur (8 February, 2006)

Dataran Merdeka on Google Maps Street View

Going to Dataran Merdeka by public transport

If you are exploring Kuala Lumpur on a shoestring budget, you may be pleased to note that the free GoKL City Bus makes a stop at Dataran Merdeka.

Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur (8 February, 2006)

History of Dataran Merdeka

Dataran Merdeka was originally called the Parade Ground during British times. Later, it became known simply as the Padang (meaning, The Field). Most of the most important colonial buildings of the British administration congregate around Dataran Merdeka, among them (using their original names) the Government Offices, Selangor Railway Office, Old Post Office and the Royal Selangor Club.

Today Dataran Merdeka is a lush patch of manicured turf right in the middle of Kuala Lumpur. Beneath Dataran Merdeka is a food, leisure and entertainment complex called Plaza Putra, as well as a carpark. As a reminder of independence, a 100m (328 ft) tall flagpole - the tallest in the world - soars above Dataran Merdeka. Old and new fountains grace Dataran Merdeka at different corners.

Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur (8 February, 2006)

Back to Discover Kuala Lumpur mainpage

 New Properties in Kuala Lumpur

Looking for new properties in Kuala Lumpur? Get the e-brochures right here without having to visit or contact individual developers.

 Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips

 Map of Roads in Kuala Lumpur

 Map of Expressways in the Klang Valley

About this website

Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

While I try my best to provide you information as accurate as I can get it to be, I do apologize for any errors and for outdated information which I am unaware. Nevertheless, I hope that what I have described here will be useful to you.