KL Railway Station | Kuala Lumpur

A Colonial Era Railway Station That Still Shines!

Posted by kenny on Monday, November 24th 2008

KL Railway Station

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Located on Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin in Kuala Lumpur, the Kuala Lumpur Railway station is one of the best examples of colonial architecture in Malaysia. The attractive part of this monument is that it is gleaming with white with Moorish arches, balustrades, minarets and cupolas. The monument was designed by architect A.B. Hubbock, who is also known for designing the striking Masjid Jamek.

Since the building was constructed in 1911 which was then Malaya was under the British rule, the railway station bears the specification of railroad stations in England and included an iron roof capable of withstanding up to 3 feet of snow. Before the new building was constructed, the railway station used to be just a structure with attap or thatch-roofed shed. It had been a railway station since the first railroad line was constructed in 1886.

Since then the railway station has been serving its purpose for over 90 years as the city main intercity rail terminal until it was replaced in 2001 by the state-of-the-art KL Sentral Station, a few streets to the south. Currently only KTM Komuter trains pass through this historic station. Although the station’s role as the city main rail terminal has been replaced, it still is one of the city’s most notable landmarks.

A lot of photography enthusiasts are attracted by the station unique architecture. As such the monument remains one of the most photographed buildings in the country. The best view of the station can be captured from Jalan Kinabalu.

Other than serving as a railway station, the building also houses a colonial-era Heritage Station Hotel which was one of the grandest in its time. The hotel continues to remain in this building until now.

The easiest way of reaching the building is by taking the KTM Commuter since KTM commuter is the only train that passes it. Other ways of reaching it is by taxis as well as buses.