Sultan Abdul Samad Building

Sultan Abdul Samad Building I MALAYSIA The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is a historic building in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, built during the colonial period and is a notable landmark. It was built in 1897 and has a Moorish-inspired design. It is an iconic symbol of Kuala Lumpur and has witnessed important moments in Malaysian history, such as the declaration of independence on 31 August 1957.

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is one of Kuala Lumpur’s most recognizable landmarks and a masterpiece of late 19th-century architecture. Built in 1897 during the British colonial era, it originally served as the administrative center for the British government and now houses offices for the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia as well as the Ministry of Tourism. Its unique design blends Moorish, Indo-Saracenic, and Victorian styles, with its iconic clock tower and copper domes making it a favorite subject for photographers. It’s important to note that the building is currently undergoing renovation, so parts of it are covered with scaffolding. While you can still see much of its structure and take photos, it won’t appear in its full glory until the restoration is complete. If you’re visiting primarily for photography, keep this in mind. The best views are from across Merdeka Square, especially in the early morning when the light is soft and there are fewer people around. At night, the building is illuminated, which gives it a completely different charm — though the scaffolding does block some of the view. Tips for visitors: • Morning visits offer the best lighting and fewer crowds. • Combine your visit with Merdeka Square, the giant flagpole, and the nearby River of Life. • If you’re a fan of history or architecture, reading about British colonial buildings in Malaysia before coming will make the visit more meaningful. • Keep expectations realistic until the renovation is complete — it’s still beautiful, but not fully visible right now. Even with the renovation work, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building remains an essential stop in Kuala Lumpur. Its history, architecture, and location in the heart of the city make it worth seeing, even if only for a few minutes during a walk around Merdeka Square.

It’s a beautiful building, and I’ve always loved its architecture. I’ve wanted to walk around it for the longest time but never really got the chance since I’m usually just driving by. Finally found the time and the right “victim” to explore KL under the hot sun with me! We passed by this building after visiting River of Life, which is just a few minutes’ walk away. Unfortunately, the area was closed for maintenance work, so we couldn’t get up close. Would’ve been awesome to see it in detail. We then explored the independence square, which is just the opposite of this majestic building.

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building, located opposite Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur, is one of the most iconic historical buildings in Malaysia. Built in 1897 and designed by British architect A.C. Norman, it combines Moorish, Islamic and Indian Saracen styles to showcase the architectural aesthetics of the colonial period. Its 41-meter-high clock tower is modeled after London's Big Ben and is topped with a shiny copper onion dome. The building was once the office of the British colonial government and later became the seat of the Malaysian Court. On August 31, 1957, Malaya declared independence here, becoming an important witness to the country's history. Today, the building remains the main backdrop for National Day celebrations, attracting countless tourists to visit and take photos.   

Beautiful historical building with stunning architecture. Great spot for photos, especially at sunset. Nice place for a short walk and to enjoy the city vibe.

It was a pity that the Sultan Abdul Samad Building was under renovation and mostly covered up during our visit. Hopefully, it reopens soon so that tourists can once again admire its beautiful architecture and capture some great photos.

This is a very nice building to see while in Kuala Lumper. It is located on the independent square and in the city centre. The building is extremely historical and worth coming to see it. I would recommend you visit this area if you have time and if you like seeing historical buildings.

This building was built in 1897. It was a very important government office building at the time and was not open to the public. It is one of the main landmark buildings in Kuala Lumpur. From behind it, you can see the new landmark building-merdeka118

Sultan Abdul Samad Building is built during pre-indepence era and it has been an iconic building then that remains till today. The building is opposite of Dataran Merdeka and Royal Selangor Club. Until today, the place is occupied as a government office. Nevertheless, there are also rooms in the building that is used for exhibitions mainly for the citizens and tourists. There is also a tourist information counter in the building. The architectural building is Moorish inspired, just like KTM Berhad. It is famous for the high clock tower and you can always see it in Malaysian postacards and magnets. Basically, it can be seen on Malaysian's souveniers. If you have a chance, visit the place in the morning and night. When the sky turns dark, the whole building lights up. It was only recently they installed LED lights to make the building more interesting at night. There is nothing much to do there other than admiring the building and visiting the exhibitions. The security around the building is quite tight. When I visited the building, I wasn't allowed to go in because there was renovation going on, so sadly I could only walk outside of the building.

This building is right on the center of the old town, closely located to a number of tourist spots, like the Music Museum, KL Art Gallery, the Central Market, and Merdeka Square (right across the street). It's a beautiful structure that should be on your must-see list when visiting KL. Keep in mind that visitors are not allowed in, so you will have to enjoy the view from outside. Also, while you can best appreciate the brick and masonry details during the day, I'd recommend going again at night for the best photo opportunities, as the lights bring out the structure's best features. Bonus: the "I love KL" sculpture is across the street, in the entrance to the KL Art Gallery.