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Urban spaces are being "redesigned" through art and heritage.
Exploring Kuala Lumpur often begins in the historic center around Merdeka Square, a location that preserves many colonial-era buildings. St. Mary's Church, Sultan Abdul Samad Palace, and the old administrative buildings demonstrate the preservation of the city's old urban structure, providing a foundation for the development of pedestrian zones, public events, and new design projects.
Panoramic view of Merdeka Square
From the heritage area, visitors can access the old Chinatown, where shophouses have been renovated, retaining their facades but adding lighting, signage, and art spaces. In particular, Kwai Chai Hong is a complex of reborn abandoned houses, becoming a prime example of how Kuala Lumpur is reviving heritage through visual art. Murals depicting the Chinese community, seasonal light art, and rotating exhibitions allow the neighborhood to constantly "change its appearance."
Mural and art installation space at Kwai Chai Hong
Beyond its major landmarks, Kuala Lumpur also boasts a host of smaller-scale projects such as alleyway renovations, lighting installations, green spaces, and visual art. The alleyways in the city center are being transformed into safe pedestrian walkways, connecting cafes, small studios, and craft shops.
During a 48-hour stay in Kuala Lumpur, visitors can easily observe and access a variety of visual exhibitions. A highlight is the Space & Time Cube, a multi-sensory art space that utilizes light projection, sound, and visual installations. Not confined to museum grounds, the experience is highly interactive, allowing the public to step into "space-time cubes" designed to stimulate visual emotions.
The visual arts exhibition attracted a large number of visitors with its interactive light and sound experience.
Visitors enjoy the multi-sensory visual art exhibition.
Alongside new art projects, Kuala Lumpur maintains its indigenous cultural heritage through institutions such as the Museum of Islamic Art Malaysia. With its collection of miniature architecture, Islamic crafts, and dome models, the site reflects the cultural foundations and designs that have become hallmarks of many of the city's modern structures. For visitors seeking cultural depth, this is a crucial glimpse into why Kuala Lumpur aspires to be a creative city built on its identity.
A Vietnamese tourist shared with Travellive reporters: “I came to Kuala Lumpur thinking only of eating and shopping, but when I stepped into the art spaces and meticulously designed alleyways, I was truly captivated by how this place combines history with modern creativity.”
The dome in the Museum of Islamic Art Malaysia reflects sophisticated Islamic architecture and tradition.
Creative experiences in real life: craft workshops, independent studios, and art communities.
If the heritage area shows the "roots" of Kuala Lumpur, then the creative spaces reflect the city's current rhythm. The most prominent example is GMBB Creative Mall, a community arts center with over 100 artists, studios, and creative groups working continuously. It serves as an "open workshop" where design, crafts, illustration, and multidisciplinary creativity coexist within a non-commercialized structure.
One of the distinguishing features here is the system of handcrafted workshops. These workshops don't cater to tourists but focus on the techniques, processes, and original knowledge of traditional crafts. Many sessions concentrate on passing on indigenous techniques: woodblock printing, natural dyeing, batik, handmade bookmaking, etc., led by young artists or artisans. These sessions allow participants to directly manipulate the materials, understand their origins, and learn how the craft is "redefined" within the context of contemporary design.
Many classes revolve around woodblock printing, handmade bookmaking, natural dyeing, hand weaving, stenciling, or batik—techniques that had declined in the previous decade.
These experiences explain why it has been recognized as the Design City of 2025. The city has invested in iconic infrastructure such as Merdeka 118 and dedicated space to smaller projects: revitalizing alleyways, hosting community events, developing studio areas, and encouraging young artists to create their work in open spaces.
In 48 hours, visitors can explore multiple layers of history, architecture, visual arts, and craft workshops. All of these contribute to the current image of Kuala Lumpur – a city that uses design as a tool for organizing space and connecting communities. For visitors from Vietnam, getting to Kuala Lumpur is quite convenient, with numerous direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, making the city a suitable destination for short trips.
