Kampung Baru, which means “new village” in Malay, is the only semblance of traditional life left in downtown Kuala Lumpur. It was founded in the 1890s by the British colonial government to accommodate an influx of Malay farmers, and today, it has the Petronas Twin Towers as a backdrop. While walking, keep a look out for old Malay houses dating from the 1920s and 1930s – wooden structures painted in bright colours raised on stone pillars, with concrete balustrade staircases – that are still standing. Other historic stops include Mosque Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru and Kelab Sultan Sulaiman, an old social club founded in 1901 for the city’s Malay elite. For traditional Malay food like grilled fish and nasi lemak, browse the stalls and restaurants along Jalan Raja Muda Musa and Jalan Raja Alang.
