Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad, Kuala Lumpur

KL oldest mosque, completed in 1909, and the Mughal-inspired architecture with the three onion domes and brick arcades is stunning. The palm-lined courtyard is very peaceful. Free guided tours are available at the front desk — our guide explained the history of the confluence where the city was founded in 1857.

Beautiful heritage site right at the meeting point of the Klang and Gombak rivers. Non-Muslim visiting hours are 10 am to 12:30 pm and 2:30 to 4:30 pm. Free gowns and headscarves at the entrance. The Masjid Jamek LRT station is right next door — could not be more convenient.

As a Muslim, praying in KL oldest mosque was deeply moving. The design by Arthur Benison Hubback is gorgeous — the plaster arcades and the courtyard with palm trees feel almost Moorish. After visiting, walked across the river to Merdeka Square in 5 minutes.

Worth a quick stop but the visiting windows for non-Muslims are quite narrow. We arrived at 12:45 pm and had to wait until 2:30 pm to enter. Closed on Fridays for non-Muslims too. The building itself is photogenic from outside even if you cannot go in.

Combined this with a walk along the River of Life promenade at night and it was a wonderful experience. During the day, the mosque courtyard is quiet and the architecture is impressive for its age. The location where KL was literally born — great historical significance.