Travel Insider Malaysia

Photo: Inside the Tunku Abdul Rahman Memorial.

Step off the beaten path and into these quirky, inspiring museums that reveal the fascinating layers of KL’s culture, creativity and curiosities.

1. Vintage Camera Museum @ Gold3 Boutique Hotel

Thanks to increasingly sophisticated phones cameras, standalone cameras for the layman are largely a relic of the past, but it doesn’t mean that our love for cameras is dead.

Tucked inside the stylish Gold3 Boutique Hotel in Bukit Bintang, the Vintage Camera Museum is a compact gem that showcases a private collection of over 300 vintage cameras. From boxy Kodaks to rare spy cameras, the museum offers a fascinating visual history of photography.

The highlight? Experience a darkroom setting firsthand, where film is developed into prints, just like in the old days.
Entrance fee: RM10

2. Illusion 3D Art Museum

A fun, interactive spot located in Central Market Annexe, this museum brings optical illusions to life.

With more than 36 hand-painted 3D art installations, visitors can pose with sharks, dragons and ancient ruins, making it a great stop for families or Instagram enthusiasts. Each artwork creates the illusion of movement and depth from a specific angle.

The highlight? Augmented reality (AR) features that animate the art on your phone screen.
Entrance fee: RM25 (adult), RM15 (child)

3. MinNature Malaysia

This indoor miniature wonderland in Sungei Wang Plaza boasts Southeast Asia’s largest permanent miniature exhibit.

Explore intricate Malaysian landmarks, towns and transport systems built to scale. Every tiny scene is handcrafted in amazing detail. It’s perfect for fans of models, architecture or just delightfully precise art.

The highlight? A mini KL cityscape that lights up as day turns to night. It’s educational, nostalgic, and visually impressive.
Entrance fee: RM28 (adult), RM15 (child)

4. +n by Ur-Mu

This private museum space above the Ur-Mu Art Gallery on Jalan Hang Kasturi blends contemporary Southeast Asian art with a personal collector’s flair.

Expect curated installations, abstract pieces, and experimental exhibits in a tranquil, minimalist space. It’s ideal for art lovers seeking a quieter, more conceptual encounter.

The highlight? Rotating themed exhibitions that challenge a viewer’s perspective.
Entrance fee: Free (by appointment)

5. Muzium Etnologi Dunia Melayu (Malay World Ethnology Museum)

If you’ve ever been curious about the overlapping aspects of Southeast Asian languages and cultures, the Muzium Etnologi Dunia Melayu offers insight into how seafaring Malay groups settled in their present-day homes.

Located within the Muzium Negara (National Museum) complex, it functions more as an annex to the main building than a separate museum. The space explores the rich cultural tapestry of the Malay world – spanning Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and beyond. Exhibits include traditional attire, weaponry, musical instruments and maritime heritage.

The highlight? A full-scale replica of a traditional Malay wedding and an area to play traditional games like congkak and five stones.

Entrance fee: Included with National Museum or RM2 for Malaysians, RM5 for non-Malaysians

6. Orang Asli Crafts Museum

The Muzium Kraf Orang Asli is also located within the Muzium Negara (National Museum) complex, on the floor below the Malay Ethnology Gallery. Dedicated to showcasing the arts and crafts of Malaysia’s various indigenous communities, it feels more like a gallery than a museum, as the space is relatively small.

The first chamber provides information on Orang Asli communities, including tribe names, the number of villages and their locations across Malaysia. It also features wood carvings of masks and statues from several tribes. The next chamber highlights crafts such as fishing tools, funeral artifacts, musical instruments and weavings created by the Orang Asli. If you’re here for the main exhibits in Muzium Negara, don’t miss checking out this space.

The highlight? A five-foot-tall tiger spirit sculpture, carved from cengal wood and adorned with a large chain.

Entrance fee: Included with a Muzium Negara ticket or RM2 (includes entry to Muzium Etnologi Dunia Melayu)

7. Memorial Tunku Abdul Rahman

Housed in an opulent colonial-era residence on Jalan Dato Onn, the memorial celebrates the life of Malaysia’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, and his contributions to the nation’s journey to independence. The memorial spans four levels, but the first two floors should be the main focus of your visit.

The first floor highlights Malaysia’s road to independence, while the second floor offers insights into Tunku’s lineage, life, and personal interests. For a unique experience, consider starting on the second floor to get to know Tunku better before exploring the story of Malaysia’s road to independence downstairs.

If you’re keen, the fourth floor features additional artefacts – including gifts presented to Tunku by global dignitaries, such as a magnificent replica of Prophet Muhammad’s sword gifted by a former president of Pakistan – as well as a special exhibit by The Star newspaper.

The highlight? His official prime minister’s cars – two classic 1950s’ Cadillac Fleetwoods sit at the entrance of the memorial.

Entrance fee: Free (9am-5pm, Mondays closed, Fridays 9am-12pm, 3-5pm. Proper attire highly recommended).

8. Biomedical Museum

Found inside the Institute for Medical Research along Jalan Pahang, this lesser-known museum is a hidden treat, especially for science and history enthusiasts. All the exhibits are housed on the second floor of this heritage building, including a tribute gallery to Penang-born Dr Wu Lien Teh, whose work in plague prevention and inventing a prototype of our modern face mask remains celebrated in the medical world.

Several rooms and spaces are dedicated to the display of taxidermy animals, including bats, snakes, birds and critically endangered mammals like the hairy-nosed otter, marbled cat and binturong. There are also sections displaying preserved abnormal human foetuses (think double headed baby) and a temperature-controlled room containing various samples of mouth cancers – yes, actual specimens removed from patients mouths.

The highlight? The Dr. Wu Lien Teh gallery highlights his achievements and contributions to science. Also, the taxidermy rooms are both chilling and fascinating – highly recommended if you have an interest in taxidermy and science.

Entrance fee: Free (only open on weekdays, 9am-5pm. Proper attire is required or entry denied)