37 HIDDEN
KUALA LUMPUR
INSTAGRAM-WORTHY HOTSPOTS
THAT YOU NEED TO
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HEARTPATRICK CITY GUIDES • JAN 2021 • KUALA LUMPUR
Kuala Lumpur may not have the most glitzy modern architecture but the interplay of old versus new is very much alive here as urban decay gives way to towering skyscrapers. If you look hard enough, lying just slightly off the radar of most urban explorers are plenty of gorgeous spots that will make your venturing off the beaten track worth the time and effort.
For quicker updates on the latest fun spots around KL, check out my instagram account at @heartpatrick
01/ RAINBOW WALKWAY @ PUSAT SAINS NEGARA
This is perhaps Pusat Sain Negara's most impressive exhibit, and it's free. The rainbow walkway is the result of the sunlight filtering in from the rainbow cladding enveloping the circular building, and the good thing is, this breathtaking effect is visible all day long, as long as we have the sun. To get to this service lane, drive around the building until you see an external staircase leading up from the ground floor to the upper floors. Take that and you're there. Remember to greet the friendly guards who are sometimes seen around the walkway entrance.
More photos of these space: Rainbow Walkway @Pusat Sains Negara
LOCATION: Pusat Sains Negara, Persiaran Bukit Kiara, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur
02/ ELMINA VALLEY RAINBOW BRIDGE @ ELMINA CITY, SHAH ALAM
And another impossibly instagrammable colorful spot emerges in the Klang Valley, this time in the form of a set of bridges, built by Sime Darby as part of the infrastructure in its new township Elmina City. This place is best appreciated on a sunny day when the shadows of the colorful overhanging rainbow strips above add another layer of pattern on the walkway below.
More photos of these space: Elmina Rainbow Bridge
LOCATION: Elmina Valley Rainbow Bridge.
03/ ICONIC BRIDGE AND RED LOOKOUT POINT @ ELMINA CITY
The City of Elmina has done it again. Right after blessing the Klang Valley with the rainbow bridge instagram spot, a new sight has now been completed, called the Iconic Bridge, located right next to Elmina Central Park. Do remember to check out the similarly striking red lookout point within the park as well.
More photos of these space: Iconic Bridge and Red Lookout Point @ Elmina City
LOCATION 1: Iconic Bridge.
LOCATION 2: Red Lookout Point.
04/ TAMARIND SQUARE & TAMARIND SUITES @ CYBERJAYA
Brutalist architecture is very much alive and kicking at this popular photography spot in Cyberjaya, and it's easy to see why. Beautiful concrete formworks combined with a keen sense of art from the hanging gardens designed by Seksan right down to the creative signages deliver an integrated development that has so many instagrammable nooks and crannies it takes a while to just take everything in. This is a place I will come back again and again and still find fresh angles to interpret. Do note that some of the good spots especially at the Tamarind Suites side are only accessible to residents, so perhaps booking a night's stay at one of the airbnb units within will be a wise choice to get to them.
More photos of these space: Tamarind Square and Tamarind Suites @ Cyberjaya
LOCATION: Tamarind Square.
05/ THE LINC KUALA LUMPUR
At first there was a struggle but the explosion of instagrammable spots in Kuala Lumpur is thankfully not showing signs of slowing down, with a growing list of strong contenders vying for a spot in the list of the most colorful locations in the city. And the Linc is packed with them! This art-centric mall holds a winning combo of nature, food and creative retail, all housed in a structure dotted with backdrops that will slow down the most demanding instagrammer. The adventurous few that are able to make their way to the vast color block roof above will be in for a pleasant surprise.
More photos of these space: The Linc Kuala Lumpur
LOCATION: The Linc Kuala Lumpur.
06/ LAMAN PERDANA @ PERDANA BOTANICAL GARDENS
Laman Perdana is most probably Perdana Botanical Gardens' most instagrammable spot. Completed in 2014 by GDP Architects, this canopy adopts a form that mimics its green surroundings, and is best admired on a sunny day when filtered light creates a mesmering pattern on the floor.
More photos of these space: Jvene @ Laman Perdana Owen Yap @ Laman Perdana
LOCATION: Laman Perdana, Perdana Botanical Gardens.
07/ KLCC PARK @ KLCC
Over two decades since their completion, the Petronas Twin Towers continue to be the most recognisable landmark of the city. While we are never short of a cool vantage point of the gleaming structures, the adjoining park offers one of the best spots in town to admire the towers, given its close promixity and varied installations.
More photos of these space: Jin Yow @ KLCC Park
LOCATION: KLCC Park, KLCC.
08/ SPIRAL STAIRCASE @ FACULTY OF ECONOMICS, UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA
The city's oldest university may be famous for its brutalism hallmark architecture Dewan Tunku Canselor, but among the aged complexes within its campus ground lies a hidden spot built of the same style that will be more worth your time. It is the unbelievably gorgeous spiral staircase of the Economics Faculty. The place may have seen better days as attention for development is focused on newer buildings, but it is this exact reason that the vintage vibes are retained so nicely to allow one to be immediately transported into the yesteryear. Do not miss the beautiful hexagonal glass dome roof at the top of the staircase.
More photos of these space: Jordan Yeoh portraits
LOCATION: Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.
09/ JALAN ALOR STREET ART @ BUKIT BINTANG
The Jalan Alor and surrounding area in Bukit Bintang may be famous for its stretch of local food stalls, but thanks to some recent art installations by the local council, the neighbourhood is giving urban explorer another exciting reason to drop by. Dingy alleys and filthy sidewalks are now home to colorful murals and light installations, begging to be the backdrop of hipsters hungry for their next OOTD shots. While you're here hunt for the alleyway that provide a dramatic contrast with the city's latest towering structure located in TRX, called Exchange 106.
More photos of these space: Jalan Alor Street Art
HERE ARE THE SPECIFIC GOOGLE MAP PINS FOR THE VARIOUS HOTSPOTS HERE:
Lit Clouds: Location
Colorful back alley 1: Location
Colorful back alley 2: Location
Back alley contrasted against TRX Exchange 106: Location
10/ COLORFUL BACKLANE @ JALAN THAMBIPILLAY, BRICKFIELDS
Brickfields may be just a stone's throw away from KL Sentral, but the city's major transporation hub's modern touches have long eluded this stepchild of urban redevelopment. Thus, this unexpectedly clean, organised and colorful backlane along Jalan Thambipillay seems worlds away from its former filthy, rodent-infested self. Kudos to DBKL for a year's worth of negotation and coordination with the locals for this wonderful transformation.
More photos of these space: Colorful Backlane @ Jalan Thambipillay, Brickfields
LOCATION: Brickfields Colorful Backlane.
11/ KLCC VANTAGE POINT FROM KAMPUNG BARU
There are not many spots in town affording this level of stark contrast of the old and new than this particular backlane in Kampung Baru. Its magic is best appreciated in the evenings when the the twin towers are already lit and evening hues linger on in the sky. Remember to be respectful of the residents.
LOCATION: Kampung Baru Backlane, off Jalan Pintasan Raja Muda Musa 4.
12/ MENARA TA ONE PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS VANTAGE POINT @ JALAN AMPANG
For decades the Petronas Twin Towers graced the KL skyline, and it's towering height a beacon of the country's march towards a developed nation. It's no wonder that we are so fascinated with catching them in our photos. Menara TA One sits right opposite the road from this landmark, and it's open-air top level of the carpark section presents the perfect opportunity to capture the twin towers from a very close, and higher vantage point than the usual street-level spots that you may find around this area. Come on a wet evening, and the extensive puddles on the floor will complete the magic
.
Updates Jan 2021: I was told that the building management has now set up a notice around this area to warn visitors against photography here, a pretty unfortunate turn of events, but not surprising, given the way we love flexing authoritarian muscles for seemingly harmless acts of capturing our city's beauty.
More photos of these space: Menara TA One Petronas Twin Towers Vantage Point
LOCATION: Menara TA One.
13/ ARTE PLUS CONDO @ JALAN AMPANG
This is your instagram selfie museum on steroids, except that you can also bring your luggage in for a night's stay or more. Nusmetro's strong emphasis on meeting the demands of the throngs of instagrammers searching for a new playground in town has paid off. ArtePlus Jalan Ampang packs a dizzying array of visually-interesting spots for your OOTD and light saber low-light photography and everything in between. Most of these facilities are accessible by condo residents and guests only, so do book your stay through one of those vacation rentals vendors out there for your all-access pass.
More photos of these space: ArtePlus Jalan Ampang
LOCATION: ArtePlus Jalan Ampang.
14/ THE HORIZON LOOKUP @ BANGSAR SOUTH
The orderly, tightly packed set of office blocks at the Horizon at Bangsar South is your perfect dose of medicine if you're missing a similar urban lookup of big cities like Hong Kong, or more specifically the China Hong Kong City, minus the gold tint. You may find quite a few ways of playing with this interesting perspective while fighting the urge of playing a plane right in the middle.
More photos of these space: The Horizon @ Bangsar South
LOCATION: The Horizon.
15/ COLORFUL UMBRELLAS @ EMPIRE DAMANSARA
Empire Damansara has an open secret that's been around since it launched many years ago. While I've been slow in covering this spot, it is nevertheless a gorgeous one.
More photos of these space: Colorful Umbrellas @ Empire Damansara
LOCATION: Empire Damansara.
16/ TAMAN TASIK TITIWANGSA @ TITIWANGSA
Opened in Dec 2019 after more than a year of upgrading work, the refurbished Titiwangsa Park now features a few interesting spots that are begging to be the playground of your next exploration out in town. My top picks include the black torii gate, which is really a series of square metalwork frames lining a walkway, a cocoon-like bird nest structure nearby, and an activity area drawn with a series of curvy lines on the floor, also not far away. Come on a weekday morning to avoid the crowd, and do pray for a sunny day.
More photos of these space: Taman Tasik Titiwangsa
LOCATION: Exact location of Black Torii Gates.
17/ SIN SZE SI YA TEMPLE @ CHINATOWN
I may have lost count of the number of chinese temple that I have visited here in Kuala Lumpur, but there is nothing quite like Sin Sze Si Ya Temple. Befitting of its title as the oldest Taoist temple in the city, it was built by Yap Ah Loy in 1883, and has since stood at its location till this day. The surreal atmosphere of the temple is best appreciated on a sunny afternoon, where shafts of light streaming down from its age-old windows in the courtyard come to life against the rising incense smoke from the altars below.
More photos of these space: Sin Sze Si Ya Temple
LOCATION: 113A, Jalan Tun H S Lee.
18/ SELAYANG FLAT @ CHOW KIT
There's something about repetitive geometric patterns of spiral staircases that sooths the OCD mind, so here's another hidden gem, this time in the heart of an old flat in Chow Kit called Selayang Flat.
More photos of these space: heartpatrick instameet kuala lumpur 2
LOCATION: Selayang Flat, Jalan Raja Laut, Chow Kit.
19/ FLAT PKNS KAMPUNG KERINCHI @ KERINCHI
There's so much to love about this single block of U-shaped 17-storey tall apartment, from its exposed staircases to the floor numbers in vintage font and the colorful laundry lines, urban explorers will find many angles to appreciate this vintage playground in.
More photos of these space: heartpatrick instameet kuala lumpur 1 & street walk
LOCATION: Flat PKNS Kampung Kerinchi.
20/ PPR SRI TIOMAN @ TAMAN MELATI
Taman Melati has a hidden secret, two impossibly colorful courts tucked quietly between blocks of low-cost flats. And I'm so glad to have the company of Shuang Yi while exploring this, as I wouldn't be able to do much magic myself without his presence in my shots. The rainbow-colored facade of the flats is post-processed, but still, the courts themselves were already worth the visit.
More photos of these space: Shuang Yi @ PPR Sri Tioman
LOCATION: PPR Sri Tioman, Taman Melati.
21/ PANGSAPURI SS8 @ KELANA JAYA, PETALING JAYA
Another hidden gem of the oldschool apartment type lies in SS8, Kelana Jaya. These two blocks of flat features exposed stairways on each end that links the left and right side together, affording a beautiful view against the sweeping neighbourhood below.
More photos of these space: Pangsapuri SS8 Kelana Jaya
LOCATION: Pangsapuri SS8 Kelana Jaya.
22/ NU SENTRAL OVERHEAD PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE @ KL SENTRAL
KL Sentral has a not-so-well-kept secret, and it's the absolutely handsome looking pedestrian bridge linking Nu Sentral Mall with the Monorail station and Brickfields. Built by GDP Architects, this piece of architectural marvel soothes the symmetry-obsessed instagrammers looking for a shot that tells the story of modernity versus heritage. It's used by an estimated 10,000 pedestrians on a daily basis, so you will not be short of interesting subjects to use as focal points for this gorgeous backdrop.
More photos of these space: Overhead Pedestrian Bridge @ KL Sentral Monorail Station
LOCATION: Nu Sentral Pedestrian Bridge.
23/ JUNK BOOKSTORE KUALA LUMPUR @ JALAN TUN S LEE
Nestled in an old shophouse nearby KL Chinatown is the city's longest-running secondhand bookstore. Packed to the brim in this three-storey treasure trove are literary gems, comics and even LPs. If the collection itself fails to impress you, the interior architecture of the space will. The charming circular airwell in the middle helps open up the space and reduce the claustrophobic feeling when navigating the low ceiling and tight walkways on the uppor floor.
More photos of these space: Junk Book Store
LOCATION: Junk Bookstore.
24/ CENTRIO PANTAI HILLPARK @ KERINCHI/ BANGSAR SOUTH
I may be biased here, since I've been calling this place home for the past four years now, but they just don't make anything quite like Centrio anymore. Its concept of interloacking blocks set amidst a sprawling multi-level hanging gardens is a treasure trove of instagram-friendly angles. And I continue to uncover new sweet spots everyday.
More photos of these space: Centrio Pantai Hillpark, Vivien in Centrio
LOCATION: Centrio Pantai Hillpark.
25/ SPIRAL STAIRCASE @ PLAZA AMPANG CITY
And so my obsession with the beautiful geometric formations that are spiral staircases continues with the addition of this vintage set from a rather forgotten building somewhere off Jalan Ampang. Loving the contrast of the striking blue railings against the faded mosaic tiles. It's a space that is begging to be given a fresh spin on the perspective game. One day I will find time to be back for more.
More photos of these space: Spiral Staircase @ Plaza Ampang City
LOCATION: Plaza Ampang City.
26/ BOOKXCESS, SUNSURIA FORUM @ SHAH ALAM
Not all bookstores are created equal, and in the case of the latest BookXcess outlet in Sunsuria Forum, the interior architectural game has been upped by elevating a book store to the status of an instagram hotspot, perhaps having sought inspiration from similar cool bookstores and libraries in China and Korea.
More photos of these space: BookXcess, Sunsuria Forum @ Shah Alam
LOCATION: BookXcess, Sunsuria Forum, Shah Alam.
27/ COLORFUL FACADE OF PPR PERKASA @ MALURI
Not all low-cost flats are built the same. In the case of PPR Perkasa, the town-planning folks seemed to have spent a little more time here on creating a color scheme that will turn heads. I'm loving how the seemingly rigid, repetitive design come alives as the color blocks interplay to create new patterns at different angles and perspectives. We should have more PPRs like these!
More photos of these space: Colorful Facade of PPR Perkasa @ Maluri
LOCATION: PPR Perkasa.
28/ NU SENTRAL ROOFTOP GLASS PYRAMID @ KL SENTRAL
In addition to the magnificient overhead pedestrian crossing, Nu Sentral Mall has a second architectural wonder hidden in plain sight since its opening. It is in the form of a glass pyramid structure sitting on its rooftop, a spot that has until now been off limits to the general public. With the opening of new f&b outlets there, this space is finally opened and ready to be explored.
More photos of these space: Nu Sentral Rooftop Glass Pyramid @ KL Sentral
LOCATION: Nu Sentral.
29/ ALAMANDA STEPS @ PUTRAJAYA
Putrajaya's Alamanda Mall has a secret, and it's this impossibly colorful installation on a series of steps going down from the mall to the lake. This sprawling series of interlocked tri-color patterns is a cool backdrop that can be admired from multiple vantage points and perspectives. I'll be back for some aerials.
More photos of these space: Alamanda Steps @ Putrajaya
LOCATION: Alamanda Steps.
30/ THE PV PARK @ MELATI UTAMA
Surrounded by conventional-looking apartments, the PV Park's european-inspired pavilion and maze garden stood out like a surreal dream. The locals may not think much of it, but with the right treatment this location can be a fun morning portrait spot.
More photos of these space: Vivi Tan In The PV Park @ Melati Utama
LOCATION: The PV Park.
31/ COLORFUL FACADE OF MALURI MRT STATION @ CHERAS
There may be tens of new stations that have sprung up all over the city as part of the MRT project in the recent two years or so, but none is quite like the Maluri station. The color block design of the facade is a refreshing change from the conservative design of other stations, and is rather hard to miss even from a distance.
More photos of these space: Maluri MRT Station @ Cheras
LOCATION: MRT Maluri.
32/ PLAYGROUND AND ORANGE COURT AT PPR SERI SELANGOR @ PUDU
PPR Seri Selangor may pass as any regular-looking low-cost apartment blocks from far, but a closer inspection reveals a futsal field that has been given a playful coat of orange and yellow colors, best appreciated from an aerial view. And then there is the set of semicircular monkey bar structure that I thought was charmingly reminiscent of the good old childhood days.
More photos of these space: PPR Seri Selangor @ Pudu
LOCATION: PPR Seri Selangor.
33/ CHIN SWEE CAVES TEMPLE @ GENTING HIGHLANDS
On the way up to Resorts World Genting is a photo stop that many miss. While the top promises round-the-clock entertainment, the serenity that is Chin Swee Caves Temple is worlds away. I had a fun time working on a few night shots that have been in my mind for awhile. Armed with a speedlite on a tripod, and a drone with lumecube lights, they finally came to fruition.
More photos of these space: Chin Swee Caves Temple @ Genting Highlands
LOCATION: Chin Swee Caves Temple.
34/ I-CITY @ SHAH ALAM
This 72-acre urban development in Shah Alam boasts a few fancy attractions that should keep you busy clicking for awhile. This includes a ferris wheel, merry-go-round and various other themepark rides and installations, dotted with other commercial and residential developments. Stay past evening to admire how the place is transformed with digital lights.
More photos of these space: Kev Chong @ I-City
LOCATION: I-City.
35/ INTELLIGENTSIA BOOK STATION @ CHINATOWN
They don't make bookstores like these anymore. Nestled among a row of old shophouses along Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin is this 20yo one-of-a-kind gem that may once be the haunt of bookworms, but as the Information age sweeps in, the keen-eyed instagrammers should find themselves with a space that is as messy as it is charming. Owner is very kind to allow photography, so do be the gracious guest and help support their business by bringing back some books with you for those me time moments at the beach.
More photos of these space: Intelligentsia Book Station
LOCATION: Intelligentsia Book Station. Bookstore is on the first floor. Easiest way to spot the staircase going up is to look for the 'Hari-Hari' clothing store.
36/ PARAGON AT PAN'GAEA @ CYBERJAYA
Cyberjaya has a jagged pyramid and it's one piece of a gorgeous structure. Designed by AK Architects and built by OSK Property, this white giant has two gentle wave-like towers that are wrapped with one the most interesting external walkway design that I've seen. The place is best experienced on a sunny day to allow the minimalist white structure to really pop against the blue skies.
More photos of these space: Paragon at Pan'gaea
LOCATION: Paragon at Pan'gaea.
37/ EMPIRE CITY DAMANSARA @ DAMANSARA
Mammoth Empire may have big dreams for their flagship development, but Empire City Damansara has taken on a life of its own as urban folk tries to make do with life in this half-constructed limbo land where deserted carpark levels and bare concrete podiums co-exist with struggling retail spaces. There are plenty of nooks and crannies for the urban explorers to spend a day uncovering.
More photos of these space: Empire City Damansara
LOCATION: Empire City Damansara.