History
This building survived a fire, three name changes, and over a century and still ended up in the hospitality business.
Built in 1903, it first opened as the Empire Hotel before later becoming the Peninsular Hotel. It survived a major fire that damaged much of its interior and witnessed decades of change along Jalan Tangsi.
After a RM7 million restoration, the historic building reopened in November 2015 with a new role. Instead of checking guests into hotel rooms, it now welcomes visitors as the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau.
Why It Matters?
This isn't just a tourist information centre.
This building tells the story of KL's architectural transitions its colonial facade preserved, even as its purpose changed completely.
That's what makes this spot matter: it went from housing guests passing through the city, to helping guests figure out where to go next, a hotel's job, reinvented for the modern tourist.
Travel Tips
Many of the checkpoints are a less than 10 minute walk away from the KL Tourism Bureau, and is the ideal start for the QR trail!
Photo Spot Ideas
Tip: Best taken from Dataran Merdeka field aiming at the central clock tower, especially beautiful when illuminated at night.
Did You Know
The building survived a major fire that destroyed much of its interior, which is why only the impressive facade is strictly original.
Tap to reveal the fact
It used to be a high-end hotel where wealthy miners and planters stayed during the British colonial era.
Tap to reveal the fact
Get Direction
Location
:
Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau, Jalan Tangsi, Perdana Botanical Gardens, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Travel Tips
:
The Sultan Abdul Samad building is only an 8 minute walk away from the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau and is walking distance from the Masjid Jamek LRT Station.
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