Ampang-Little Korea in Kuala Lumpur

Spread over the state of Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Ampang is a beautiful historic city that is positioned on the east side of Kuala Lumpur, thus being divided into two distinct areas. Ampang Selangor is the Selangor part of the city and is also referred to as Ampang Jaya. The second part is known as Ampang Kuala Lumpur and it is the Kuala Lumpur subdivision of the district. Ampang was under Selangor jurisdiction, but things changed in 1974 when the town became a Federal Territory.

The history of the district matches the one of Kuala Lumpur. In 1857, a delegate of the Selangor Sultanate known as Raja Abdullah offered prospectors the possibility to exploit The Klang Valley. At that moment, the Ampang region was nothing else but a jungle, and 87 Chinese prospectors decided to prospect it. Unfortunately, the pestilential conditions killed no less than 69 prospectors. Those who survived managed to establish there a flourishing tin mine. In 1880, Ampang and Kuala Lumpur joined together and formed the capital of Selangor. Later on, more specifically in 1963, the two areas became the capital of the Federation of Malaysia. If you’re asking yourself where to go in Kuala Lumpur, exploring the Ampang region will certainly be an unforgettable experience.

The stunning architecture of Ampang

Don’t know where to go in Malaysia? Kuala Lumpur and its astounding Ampang district are ready to dazzle you. Ampang Road displays numerous pre-war structures that you should definitely have a better look at. For instance, The Eng Choon Assembly Hall was constructed in 1930 and its interior structure was restored to sustain a taller building. In 1935, Eu Tong Sen, an important businessman, constructed a villa on Ampang Road. This venue served as a military base for the British government. Eventually, the structure was rebuilt and on the 27th of August 1958, it was transformed into the National Art Gallery. The stunning building was renovated again and it became the Malaysia Tourism Centre.

Furthermore, Eu Tong Sen also possessed a tin mine in the area. In 1914, his mine happened to be the first to have an electricity generator. The previous horse racing spot of the Selangor Turf Club was opened in March 1896 and it was one of the most famous landmarks in the region. In March 1997, the structure was torn down to make room for the spectacular Petronas Twin Towers, one of the best places to visit in Malaysia. The good thing is that numerous British colonial and pre-war structures were widely refurbished and upgraded, so there are plenty of other breathtaking architectural structures you can admire in Ampang.

Ampang – activities and attractions

The district is incredibly cosmopolitan and modern. Numerous expatriates and foreigners live here because they adore the vibrant allure and colorful spirit of the area. Ampang is filled with attractive Korean shops, stores and traditional restaurants. As a matter of fact, various Middle Eastern restaurants from Kuala Lumpur were established here for the first time. Believe it or not, the Ampang area is inhabited by 3,000 Korean expats, so there’s no wonder that the district is also referred to as “Little Korea”. There are plenty of things to do in Kuala Lumpur, and the good news is that the activities are endless in Ampang.

Visit the National Zoo, or Zoo Negara. The zoological garden is situated very close to the Ampang city center and it’s an amazing tourist attraction. In fact, it is among the biggest zoos in Malaysia, spreading on more than 120 acres of land. It was opened in 1963 and currently it is a governmental organization. The park is very well maintained; it hosts approximately 5,137 animals and over 459 different species.

If you don’t know what to do in Ampang and you’re fond of the arts, check out the Performing Arts Costume Gallery. It’s just the kind of place that one could expect to find in Ampang, and the best part is that there are countless of interesting pieces exhibited. It is located within the Istana Budaya National Theater and it offers more details on the country’s customs and traditions.

Note that Ampang is both a cultural and natural district of Kuala Lumpur. Thus, it must be properly maintained and cared for. Travelers should protect its heritage and not harm the habitat in any way.