Downtown KL:
A Catalyst for Malaysia’s Next Tourism Chapter
23 August 2025
Tourism’s on the rise! Malaysia wants 16% of its GDP to come from visitors — a big goal under the 13th Malaysia Plan, backed by the Prime Minister.
Are we ready to hit that target?
Walk down Jalan Tun HS Lee and you’ll pass pre-war shophouses turned indie galleries, kopitiams spilling onto sidewalks, and landmarks like the incense-scented Sin Sze Si Ya Temple – places where memory and modern life intersect.
This evolution didn’t happen overnight. Much of Downtown KL’s creative energy was already bubbling beneath the surface when Warisan KL, a culture-based urban rejuvenation initiative, stepped in to build on it. Now, under the 13MP, these efforts are being woven into a broader national strategy to reimagine cities through culture, creativity and experiential tourism – and Downtown KL is leading the charge.
At Central Market, a former wet market turned creative hub, visitors can browse crafts, watch cultural performances, or pick up handmade souvenirs. Around the corner at GMBB, you might join a shadow puppetry workshop or flip through locally authored books. Nearby, REXKL, once a cinema, now pulses with live music and artisanal food. For something unexpected, visit +n by UR-MU, a contemporary art museum tucked inside a 1950s Art Deco building, where art, architecture and curiosity converge.
Meanwhile, Petaling Street has undergone a quiet renaissance. Think mural walks, pop-up galleries, street theatre and nostalgic cafés tucked behind wooden shutters. Not far off, the soaring Menara 118 brings bold modernity to the skyline, rising beside Stadium Merdeka, which was built just in time for the declaration of Malaysia's independence on Aug 31, 1957 – a striking juxtaposition of Malaysia’s ambition and its national heritage.
This is tourism with substance – not just made for the camera, but crafted for the soul.
Warisan KL – spearheaded and launched by Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim – is a national endeavour, bringing together federal and state agencies, GLICs, GLCs, private sector partners and communities across Malaysia to shape Kuala Lumpur as a beacon of heritage, culture and creativity for the nation. The culture-based urban rejuvenation initiative is breathing new life into Kuala Lumpur’s historic heart. Its efforts are centred on restoring and reactivating key heritage corridors – starting with Dataran Merdeka, the KL Railway Station, Carcosa Seri Negara and Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad. Khazanah Nasional, through catalytic developments and strategic public-private partnerships, is also playing a pivotal role – unlocking the area’s potential.
It was all smiles during the recent Warisan KL Delegation Ministerial Walkabout (seen here at KTMB), with partners and stakeholders including (from left) KL Mayor Dato' Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif (in yellow), Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, and
Khazanah MD Dato' Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir. (More pics below.)
But Warisan KL isn’t just about restoring buildings. It’s about restoring stories, relationships and a sense of belonging for everyone who walks these streets. These are acts of storytelling – weaving KL’s rich past into its evolving present, while creating jobs, inclusive public spaces and vibrant creative economies. It’s national planning with neighbourhood heart – where policy meets place-making, and culture becomes a catalyst.
As part of Warisan KL’s 10 flagship projects, Downtown KL is undergoing a thoughtful transformation that blends heritage with creativity and sustainability. Key sites are being revitalised, while new initiatives – such as the Green Connector Network and dedicated fashion and textile zones – enhance connectivity, walkability and cultural vibrancy.
Neglected landmarks are being reimagined and animated through curated content and community-focused programming. The goal: to re-establish Downtown KL as Malaysia’s cultural capital, and show how heritage preservation can fuel sustainable urban growth.
This growth is backed by Motac, DBKL, Think City, and a range of public-private partnerships. Heritage grants, creative funding, digital platforms and infrastructure improvements are ensuring that Downtown KL remains relevant, accessible and welcoming – for locals and visitors alike.
As Malaysia reimagines its tourism landscape, Downtown KL offers a powerful preview of what’s to come. Picture yourself walking through the city’s heritage core on a shaded green corridor – past restored colonial buildings, creative enclaves, bustling community markets, and decades-old places of worship – all linked by pedestrian-friendly walkways, efficient public transport and thoughtful wayfinding.
Visualise visitors being able to truly immerse themselves in Downtown KL – to hear the rhythms of the city, savour its flavours, take in its vibrant colours, and sense its history in every corner. It’s more than just sightseeing; it’s about living the experience. Every street, mural, and artisan encounter weaving together a story that is deeply and unmistakably Malaysian.
In this next chapter of tourism, Downtown KL isn’t just a destination. It’s a doorway to Malaysia’s past, present and future.
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