Istana Negara

The old Istana Negara of Kuala Lumpur is the former residence and National Palace of Malaysia’s Agong or Supreme Leader, Yang di-Pertuan. Located on the green slopes of a Bukit Petaling hill overlooking the Klang River, it is now the Royal Museum or Muzium Diraja in Malay. The museum has two blocks - the National Palace Gallery and the Balairong Seri or the Throne Room. Furniture, personal belongings, and photographs are the main highlights.

A tour of the National Palace Gallery includes the halls, bedrooms, dining rooms, offices of the King and the Queen, reading room and library, waiting rooms, and the clinic. You cannot enter most of the rooms as they are cordoned off, but you can see them from the walkway. The Throne Room in the East Wing is where official ceremonies and customary functions such as coronations and welcoming dignitaries take place. The main gate is guarded by members of the royal cavalry in full Malay traditional attire, similar to the ones at Buckingham Palace in London. Do not miss the change of guard that takes place at noon. The palace complex also includes a six-hole golf course, tennis courts, and a beautiful lake.