This fine square with its well-kept lawns and buildings reflecting its colonial past is also the birthplace of the country’s independence.

Once the symbol of Malaysia’s colonial past, Merdeka Square as it used to be known, was designed with a nod to its old colonial master Great Britain. A cricket pitch belonging to the Royal Selangor Club was once located in the square. British officials and diplomats would come here to socialise and of course, play cricket. In 1957 however, the Union flag was finally lowered and replaced by the Malaysian National flag. The square then became known as Independence Square. Today, it hosts the annual Independence Day celebrations as well as live music events and other national events.There is an abundance of impressive colonial style buildings that line the square. The stand-out building here was designed by Arthur C Norman who, inspired by the architecture of Northern India created this, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building in 1897. The centrepiece of the building is the 41-metre high clock tower rising above the domed turrets and archways.Opposite is the Royal Selangor Club with its Tudor-style architecture, which was also built towards the end of the 19th century.Carry on walking through the square and you’ll spot the 95-metre high flagpole which was used to hoist the flag of independence surrounded by well-kept lawns and hedges. This is a potent symbol of the country’s journey from colonial rule to its status today.To find out more about the city’s history, head to the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery where you can look through a vast collection of photographs and artefacts from various stages of the city’s history. To the south, you’ll come across the National Textile Museum, which offers a fascinating insight into traditional textile crafts. At the northern end of the square, you will find the imposing St Mary’s Cathedral with its early English Gothic style architecture. The cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of West Malaysia.Situated in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Merdeka Square is easy to reach via public transport. There is paid parking in the square if you’re coming by car. Close to other attractions such as the Jamek Mosque, the square is open every day and admission is free. Admission to the City Gallery and Textile Museum is also free.