SOUTHEAST ASIAN BLOGGERS NETWORK

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

MENARA KL: Southeast Asia’s Tallest Architectural Perfection







This imposing structure is the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see at night outside the window of my KL loft…

The region’s tallest structure has been reigning for 12 years since its opening in 1 October 1996. It is 1,381 ft (421m) tall and the world’s tallest single standing concrete structure and currently the world’s 5th tallest telecom tower. Eight years of planning and 5 years in the making… the Menara KL (KL Tower) was the symbol of Malaysia’s progress long before the Petronas Towers.

The Menara KL is evidence to Malaysia’s commitment to the environment – which, by the way, is the weakness of other countries in our region. The tower was erected atop a hill called Bukit Nanas (Pineapple Hill) next to an ancient rainforest in the center of Kuala Lumpur.

When the construction ran into a 100-year old Jelutong tree… the builders moved the tower instead of cutting it down. The re-planning cost them US$128,000 (RM450,000/ 450 million Baht)! Isn’t that admirable or what? Menara KL was designed by a local firm Kumpulan Senireka Sdn. Bhd. and constructed by Wayss & Freytag.

At the foot of the tower are the Entrance Mall and the Main Lobby. You can walk around, shop and admire what the Malaysian’s have done to this beautiful place. Pamphlet guides in many languages are available for free. Entrance fee is 20 Ringgit for adults and 10 Ringgit for kids. Open from 9am-10pm. There's BASE JUMPING/Free Fall too! Which we'll feature later on th blog.

While waiting for the lift in the Main Lobby…don’t forget to look up at the ceiling – the glass domes from Persia is breath talking. If you don’t fancy waiting for the lifts… you can take the stairs with 2,058 steps, for all I care.

The observation deck on top of the tower is indoors; it is the best way to see Kuala Lumpur at 360 – unlike the Petronas Skybridge where 2 gigantic buildings are blocking the view on both sides *smirk* There is also a revolving restaurant for romantic dinners.

Wanna visit? You betcha! – Menara KL is extremely recommended. Take the Monorail and get off Bukit Nanas Station then walk towards ING Bldg (that eye-sore orange building) on Jalan P. Ramlee. Keep walking past it and turn right on the first intersection. Get it? You need some serious leg power from here. It's gonna be uphill extravaganza...

Take a cab IF you have the talent to persuade the driver to press the “meter” button -- OR if you don’t mind having “stupid” written on your forehead while riding his cab without meter. Ha! Don't tell me didn't warn ya.


The Menara KL - Pride of Southeast Asia.


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-- Pisanu in Beijing

7 Comments:

Quentin X said...

Went up it in 2002 almost to the day.

Jake said...

Wow!

Anonymous said...

wow, very beautiful building, definitely Menara is one of the beautiful structures in Southeast asia...

Anonymous said...

Amazing...but i would be much happier if you will post something related to our worlds most urgent problem that needs an immediate action, before its too late, the Global Warming, especially its impacts. I just want people espaecially those within SEA to be aware and take part in saving OUR MOTHER EARTH. ("If you Pray, Move Your Feet")tnx to You.

Anonymous said...

why are you not responding, i am still hoping for a good response...

chase / chubz said...

brilliant. to save a tree and to cost them that much to change the plan? damn. that's a nice place to see.

Anonymous said...

I love the site. Keep up the excellent work!

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