A pleasant overview of Kuala Lumpur — in small sizes

KL delight: Tourists can experience the night view of the KL heritage enclave (Dataran Merdeka and Chinatown) at the KL City Gallery when they see the miniature replica of the enclave, which is fitted with LED lighting to mimic the areas at night. — AZHAR MAHFOF / The Star


KUALA LUMPUR: German tourists Sandra Harms and Annett Oeding ducked into the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery (KLCG) to escape a short drizzle and ran into a very pleasant surprise. “We didn't expect to find this nice overview of the city,” said Oeding, 36, when met at the KLCG. “We saw the big I Love KL structure and decided to head here to get out of the rain. “It is great because we were planning to visit some traditional places in the city,” she added.
 
The KLCG, which opened at the end of last year, is a one-stop centre for foreign and local travellers to find out more about Kuala Lumpur's past, present and future. The gallery, housed in the former KL Memorial Library beside Dataran Merdeka, is the brainchild of Andrew Lee, the CEO and founder of ARCH Collection Sdn Bhd, a company that specialises in art pieces and architectural model design and manufacturing. The company has inked a seven-year contract with City Hall to set up and run the KLCG. It is currently being opened to the public in stages. Besides an information centre, the KLCG features a walk-through gallery of the city's history in print, pictures and film as well as intricate miniatures of its historical buildings.
 
Exhibits that are not to be missed are the world's largest KL Skyline wood-veneer mural and the largest miniature replica of its heritage enclave in Dataran Merdeka and Chinatown, which mimic the areas at night. Admission is free and travellers are welcome to peruse the tour maps available as well as go on a guided tour around the gallery from 8am to 6pm daily.
 
“We are also going to have a Greater KL model by the end of May,” said ARCH Collection design director Carol Khan. “This is where we will replicate the Klang Valley in miniature models and continue to update it with the latest developments,” she said. Khan said with the gallery, tourists, who used to find themselves standing on Dataran Merdeka wondering about its significance, need not wonder anymore. “This is a place where we can promote Kuala Lumpur and it is more meaningful as it is located just beside one of the most historical landmarks in the city,” she added.
-thestar online.
http://www.klcitygallery.com/