Dataran Merdeka or Merdeka Square is thus name because it was where Malaysia first held their independence from British rule. The Dataran Merdeka is considered as a heritage site with the interesting Kuala Lumpur landmark, the Sultan Abdul Samad building. This is a favourite sightseeing place in KL, where just about any visitor to Kuala Lumpur must stop by here to admire surroundings.

Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square)


The Union Jack was lowered here on the 31st August 1957 in this very place. At the stroke of midnight, the various races of Malaysia gathered together and cried out, “Merdeka, merdeka, merdeka!”
Signalling the birth of a new nation, the progress of Malaysia has been astounding since the early days of independence. Sure there were upheavals and some rough patches, tell me which country did not experience such things?
The Dataran Merdeka has been used frequently for Independence Day celebration throughout the years, and if you like the hustle and bustle of parades, cultural dances as well as some military aerial displays like parachute jumps and fighter jets fly by, then make a note on your calendar and come visit this place on the 31st August. For the rest of us who would prefer a more peaceful tourism Malaysia activity, then avoid that date.
The Sultan Abdul Samad Building
This place is also where many activities are conducted because of the open cricket field and wide open roads. This is also where the starting point and finishing line of many well organized marathon races (for example famous KL Marathon, Adidas King of Hill, etc). It’s nice to wake up in the early morning and drive on a near deserted road to take part in some of these races in Dataran Merdeka. Hopefully if my legs don’t give me too much of a trouble, I may partake again in those 10km runs. The half and full Marathons is just too much for me!