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The Royal Museum (Old Istana Negara)

The Royal Museum (Old Istana Negara)

The Royal Museum (Old Istana Negara)
3.5
History Museums
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Top ways to experience The Royal Museum (Old Istana Negara)

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3.5
3.5 of 5 bubbles105 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
45
Average
32
Poor
7
Terrible
1

Magdalena Cardozo
Harare, Zimbabwe52 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Solo
It's a beautiful place, clean, info and photos displayed throughout. Unfortunately, much is cordoned off and so you don't quite get the full view and effect, and taking photos inside is not permitted. They offer to take a photo of you at the entrance though. The ticket isn't expensive either, so it's still worth seeing. I had difficulty booking an uber due to peak time. One of the staff members (I think his name was Dodi), who was also at the entrance, made sure that I was ok and not left stranded, even though they had already closed. Please pass on my "Thank You" to him.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RafiqueMultan
Multan, Pakistan96 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019 • Solo
I recently visited this pkace. The admission ticket for adult Malaysian national was 5MR and for foreigner it was 10 MR.
The palace stands on the top of hill overlooking city and gardens in front. The palace itself was not that impressive compared with many others i had visited. The rooms and furniture inside was not elegant.

There was no literature at the ticket office or in the museum about the historical background of this old palace. None of the on duty staff could give us any clue about this palace. There were many photographs of Kings with visitors on display.
Out of curiosity, i went through the web and found out some reliable information about this old palace. The place was originally built by a Chinese tycoon,in 1928 who later flee to China during Japanese occupation. After Malaysian independence, Govt: purchased this building and converter it in to Royal palace for new King in 1957.
This palace was abondoned (as new palace was built for King) and converter in to Royal Museum in probably 2013.
Written 11 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michael D
54 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2017 • Friends
The monarch and head of state of Malaysia is the 'Yang di-Pertuan Agong" - literally "He (always a He) Who Was Made Lord" - and the office dates back to the establishment of the Ferderation of Malaya (eventually Malaysia) in 1957, and so does this palace.
Originally a mansion built by a local Chinese millionaire in 1928, it was a convenient residence for the Japanese Governor during the occupation of Malaya. Eventually it was renovated to the palace of His Majestt the Sultan of the Selangor when the owners sold the property to a newly established country and government.
What a story! What a footprint!
Nope the Sultan didn't acutally live here - it was for ceremony - but, oh.what as story!
None of this though is presented.
Instead you will see nothing more, and nothing less, than a former place of ceremonial poofery.
What a.shame as the opportunity to express an important and pivotal chapter of the history of a great nation is completely missed.
Never really a home, there is little charm,,and the presentation of context is ignored as is any comprehensive story.
The sovereign has moved on to a grand new "ceremonial" dig, apparently much grander, but still not a home.
This could be so much more, with a little creativity, compassion to the past and the royal family, and some good story telling.
Instead you'll find someone charming (in an airconditioned compartment) to sell you a ticket, and a tired staff in the heat to watch your trudge unescorted through a tired home -- lost of love and lore.
Great for a hot or rainy half hour if every other point of interest has already been checked off in Kuala Lumpur.
Written 5 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wei F
Singapore, Singapore40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019 • Family
we've seen some bad reviews saying this place is run down, nothing to expect, no furniture and has water leak. but we've thoroughly enjoyed the peak into royal life. it is surprising that there are not many people even on a weekend, which is another plus.

it is not the kind of grand place u imagine, furnitures are a bit old, but it's big, and very true to life. you get to see in front of you the royal family's living places almost untouch, very original, very true to life.

oh, right, if you see one review saying it's just empty rooms, which i have seen before i go, that's simply not true. almost all furnitures are still there.
Written 25 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TeamNoRegrets
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia1 contribution
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2017 • Friends
We visited the old Istana yesterday, 2 days before the coronation of the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong. We were greeted by the sight of workmen setting up marquees for an apparent event marking the upcoming coronation. The walk up offered us a view of the building which isn't big as palaces go. We were required to remove our shoes before entering. We were so looking forward to this visit and to be honest, we were quite underwhelmed by it all. Leaking roof, out-of-order cinema and closed balairungseri aside, the experience seemed to lack direction and meaning. The place has so much potential which seems to have been largely untapped. Although interesting, the palace was quite modern and it felt like visiting a moderately grand family house. I would have appreciated some displays describing the history of the house; its origins as a family home and its journey to becoming the Istana. I would have appreciated photos of the Agong and Permaisuri Agong together (instead of on separate signs above separate stairs), with descriptions of their state of origin and their reign. Although the photos along the corridors were interesting, most only displayed the monarchy's love of golf. They were arranged in no particular chronological order, just a hodge podge of photos. I'm sure more notable events have been captured. Dig into the archives and display them. The laundry room was interesting but most of the interior was out of sight. We weren't given access to the kitchens. It would have been much more fascinating had there been mannequins posed in the different acts of daily royal life. Costumes of the different monarchs would have been appreciated. The gardens were neglected which was such a shame. Do it up. Plant local flora and fauna. Offer garden parties or set up cafes with al fresco dining. Offer cultural shows. Merchandising: Only one small gift shop which lacked character and not much choice of travel treasures. All in all, a stately home but a little run down and we weren't even inspired to take photos. My review is meant to be constructive and I hope the museum authorities consider my suggestions. For years, I have driven past this palace conjuring up in my mind all the magnificence within. Perhaps, the displays do reflect how the palace was really like but now that it is a museum, I can't help but think that it should contain more history and culture in order to make it a fulfilling experience.
Written 23 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SmasKim
Macau, China350 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2015 • Family
This used to be the King’s palace but he moved to a new palace in 2011 that someone working in this one told us is 10 times bigger.
Istana Negara is now open to public visits, tickets at RM10 for adults and RM5 for kids. It is like a museum and it has the original furniture and photos on the walls of the people received in the palace. What used to be the private part of the Palace is open to visit also.
You need to remove your shoes to get inside and it has a path to follow. There are a lot of rooms with different functions, waiting room, the King’s office, the Kings resting room, the dentist room (!), conference room, dining room and others.
The place is quite big and outside is the football/ golf camp that you cannot visit.
There is a horse pulIed car in front of the palace but it goes around the front of the palace two times or something like that, not worth the money you need to pay. There is also a golf car that takes you from the main gate to the main door but also need to buy a ticket.
It was interesting to see how the king lived, but if you don’t have too much time, skip it.
Written 29 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peter A
8 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Couples
Very little to see, cannot walk around grounds. Toilet not open forget it. More staff than visitors, try the police museum, well worth a visit.
Written 12 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dipen Nath🎭
Nainital, India2,377 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2017 • Family
Constructed in 1957,the double-storey museum is great place to visit for us,the western culture architecture official residence of the king now converted into the Royal museum,once in a year the present king & Queen come here to meet the local citizen.The interior of the museum is well decorated with King's sword,sitting chairs and other things,the 2nd part of museum is place rooms,dinning,bedroom,sitting room etc.on this part photography is not allowed.
The entry fee is RM 10 for adult and RM 5 for children, open at 9 AM to 5 PM this visit was included in half day city tour on the arrival day.
Written 8 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

woosm7
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia18 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2017 • Friends
If not for my relatives from China, I would not even have dreamed of visiting. Malaysians are charged RM5 whilst foreigners RM10 per entry. An insightful tour indeed to better understand our royal institutions.
Written 13 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HappySheep
Wellington, New Zealand1,546 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017 • Friends
Can't take photos inside, but two floors of info to get an idea of regal life and history of the place
Written 30 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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THE ROYAL MUSEUM (OLD ISTANA NEGARA) (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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