Kuala Lumpur Tower
Encyclopedia
The Kuala Lumpur Tower is a tall tower located in Kuala Lumpur
, Malaysia. Its construction was finished in 1995. It is used for communication purposes and features an antenna that reaches 421 m (1,381 ft), which currently makes it the second tallest freestanding tower in the world. The roof of the pod is at 335 m (1,099 ft). The rest of the tower below has a stairwell and an elevator
to reach the upper area, which also contains a revolving restaurant
, providing diners a panoramic view of the city. Races are organised yearly where participants race up the stairs to the top. The tower also acts as the Islamic falak observatory
to observe the crescent moon which marks the beginning of Muslim month
of Ramadhan, Syawal
, and Zulhijjah
, to celebrate fasting month
of Ramadhan, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Aidiladha
. The tower is the landmark of Kuala Lumpur with nearby Petronas Towers.
The first phase was the widening of Jalan Bukit Nanas
and the excavation of soil from the construction site. This phase was completed on 15th August 1992
On 6th July 1992, the second phase began with the construction of the foundation and basement of the tower. Approximately 50,000 cubic meters of concrete were continuously poured for 31 hours thus setting a record in the Malaysian construction industry. The foundation work, requiring no piling, was completed on 15th April 1993.
The third phase was the construction of the 'superstructure' which began in May 1994. The tedious construction of the tower started with the erection of the tower shaft, then the tower head. As the finishing touches to the tower head were being done, the construction of the touristic building began. The construction was completed in record time.
The touristic building is adorned with designs that reflect the Malaysian Islamic
culture. The main lobby of the upper ground floor is decorated with exquisite glass-clad domes that sparkle like giant diamonds. These domes were designed and arranged in the form of the Muqarnas
by Iran
ian craftsmen from Isfahan
.
On 13 September 1994, Prime Minister, YAB Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad performed the Topping-up Ceremony where the Antenna Mast was installed, thus marking the final height of the tower, 421 metres above the ground. Lastly installation of the facilities and amenities was executed to ensure comfort and safety.
Menara Kuala Lumpur was officially opened by the Prime Minister on 1 October 1996. Among the distinguished guests to the Tower were the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Tuanku Jaafar, Raja Permaisuri Agong
Tuanku Najihah, the wives of the Sultan of Brunei, DYMM Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and DYTM Pengiran Isteri Hajah Mariam.
The KL Tower is the seventh tallest telecommunication tower in the world (after Tokyo Sky Tree in Japan, the Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower
in China
, CN Tower
in Canada
, the Ostankino Tower
in Russia
, the Oriental Pearl Tower
in China, and the Borj-e Milad
in Iran
). Built to enhance the quality of telecommunication
services and the clarity of broadcasting
, KL Tower represents the symbol of Kuala Lumpur
.
The structure
is divided into 5 basic sections:
When constructing the KL Tower, the builders took special care to construct a retaining wall around a 100-year-old jelutong tree
(Dyera costulata). The tower was moved at a cost of RM430,000 to avoid harming the monumental tree, which is found near the pedestrian mall.
KL Tower is managed by Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn. Bhd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Telekom Malaysia
Group.
KL Tower is also the first pit-stop in The Amazing Race Asia 1
and fielded a route marker on the final leg of the same race.
and Dang Wangi LRT station
.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Malaysia. Its construction was finished in 1995. It is used for communication purposes and features an antenna that reaches 421 m (1,381 ft), which currently makes it the second tallest freestanding tower in the world. The roof of the pod is at 335 m (1,099 ft). The rest of the tower below has a stairwell and an elevator
Elevator
An elevator is a type of vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods between floors of a building, vessel or other structures...
to reach the upper area, which also contains a revolving restaurant
Revolving restaurant
A revolving restaurant is a usually tower restaurant eating space designed to rest atop a broad circular revolving platform that operates as a large turntable. The building remains stationary and the diners are carried on the revolving floor. The revolving rate varies between one and three times...
, providing diners a panoramic view of the city. Races are organised yearly where participants race up the stairs to the top. The tower also acts as the Islamic falak observatory
Observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
to observe the crescent moon which marks the beginning of Muslim month
Islamic calendar
The Hijri calendar , also known as the Muslim calendar or Islamic calendar , is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is used to date events in many Muslim countries , and used by Muslims everywhere to determine the proper day on which to celebrate Islamic...
of Ramadhan, Syawal
Shawwal
Shawwāl is the tenth month of the lunar Islamic calendar. Shawwāl means to ‘lift or carry’; so named because she-camels normally would be carrying a fetus at this time of year.-Fasting during Shawwāl:...
, and Zulhijjah
Dhu al-Hijjah
Dhu al-Ḥijjah is the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar.This is a very sacred month in the Islamic calendar, marking the end of the year. It is in this month in which the Hajj takes place....
, to celebrate fasting month
Sawm
Sawm is an Arabic word for fasting regulated by Islamic jurisprudence. In the terminology of Islamic law, Sawm means to abstain from eating, drinking , having sex and anything against Islamic law...
of Ramadhan, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Aidiladha
Eid ul-Adha
Eid al-Adha or "Festival of Sacrifice" or "Greater Eid" is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God, before God intervened to provide him with a sheep— to sacrifice...
. The tower is the landmark of Kuala Lumpur with nearby Petronas Towers.
Construction
The construction of the KL Tower which began on 4th October 1991, was a 3-phase process.The first phase was the widening of Jalan Bukit Nanas
Bukit Nanas
Bukit Nanas is a landmark of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It contains the only virgin tropical rain forest left in the city. The city planners are dedicated to preserving this jungle located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur...
and the excavation of soil from the construction site. This phase was completed on 15th August 1992
On 6th July 1992, the second phase began with the construction of the foundation and basement of the tower. Approximately 50,000 cubic meters of concrete were continuously poured for 31 hours thus setting a record in the Malaysian construction industry. The foundation work, requiring no piling, was completed on 15th April 1993.
The third phase was the construction of the 'superstructure' which began in May 1994. The tedious construction of the tower started with the erection of the tower shaft, then the tower head. As the finishing touches to the tower head were being done, the construction of the touristic building began. The construction was completed in record time.
The touristic building is adorned with designs that reflect the Malaysian Islamic
Islam in Malaysia
Malaysia is a multiracial country with Islam being the largest practiced religion, comprising approximately 61.4% Muslim adherents, or around 17 million people, as of 2010. Islam is declared as the "religion of the federation". Though there has been much debate on whether Malaysia is a secular...
culture. The main lobby of the upper ground floor is decorated with exquisite glass-clad domes that sparkle like giant diamonds. These domes were designed and arranged in the form of the Muqarnas
Muqarnas
Muqarnas is a type of corbel used as a decorative device in traditional Islamic architecture. The term is similar to mocárabe, but mocárabe only refers to designs with formations resembling stalactites, by the use of elements known as alveole.Muqarnas takes the form of small pointed niches,...
by Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian craftsmen from Isfahan
Isfahan (city)
Isfahan , historically also rendered in English as Ispahan, Sepahan or Hispahan, is the capital of Isfahan Province in Iran, located about 340 km south of Tehran. It has a population of 1,583,609, Iran's third largest city after Tehran and Mashhad...
.
On 13 September 1994, Prime Minister, YAB Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad performed the Topping-up Ceremony where the Antenna Mast was installed, thus marking the final height of the tower, 421 metres above the ground. Lastly installation of the facilities and amenities was executed to ensure comfort and safety.
Menara Kuala Lumpur was officially opened by the Prime Minister on 1 October 1996. Among the distinguished guests to the Tower were the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
Tuanku Jaafar, Raja Permaisuri Agong
Raja Permaisuri Agong
Raja Permaisuri Agong, or in full, Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong, is the title given to the Queen of Malaysia, consort of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.The holders of this office have been:...
Tuanku Najihah, the wives of the Sultan of Brunei, DYMM Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and DYTM Pengiran Isteri Hajah Mariam.
Facts
Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower
Canton Tower, formerly Guangzhou TV astronomical and Sightseeing Tower, is an observation tower in the Haizhu District of Guangzhou, historically known as Canton or Kwangchow, Guangdong, China. Topping out of the tower was in 2009 and it became operational on 29 September 2010 for the 2010 Asian...
in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, CN Tower
CN Tower
The CN Tower is a communications and observation tower in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Standing tall, it was completed in 1976, becoming the world's tallest free-standing structure and world's tallest tower at the time. It held both records for 34 years until the completion of the Burj...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the Ostankino Tower
Ostankino Tower
Ostankino Tower is a free-standing television and radio tower in Moscow, Russia. Standing tall, Ostankino was designed by Nikolai Nikitin. It is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers, currently the tallest in Europe and 4th tallest in the world. The tower was the first free-standing...
in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, the Oriental Pearl Tower
Oriental Pearl Tower
The Oriental Pearl Tower is a TV tower in Shanghai, China. The Oriental Pearl Tower is located at the tip of Lujiazui in the Pudong district, by the side of Huangpu River, opposite of The Bund....
in China, and the Borj-e Milad
Borj-e Milad
Milad Tower is the tallest tower in Iran. Built in between the Shahrak-e Gharb and Gisha districts of Tehran, it stands high from base to tip of the antenna. The head consists of a large pod with 12 floors, the roof of which is at . Below this is a staircase and elevators to reach the area...
in Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
). Built to enhance the quality of telecommunication
Telecommunication
Telecommunication is the transmission of information over significant distances to communicate. In earlier times, telecommunications involved the use of visual signals, such as beacons, smoke signals, semaphore telegraphs, signal flags, and optical heliographs, or audio messages via coded...
services and the clarity of broadcasting
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
, KL Tower represents the symbol of Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
.
The structure
Structure
Structure is a fundamental, tangible or intangible notion referring to the recognition, observation, nature, and permanence of patterns and relationships of entities. This notion may itself be an object, such as a built structure, or an attribute, such as the structure of society...
is divided into 5 basic sections:
- The foundation base houses 3 basement floors for safety purposes, storage and maintenance work.
- The touristic building bears the administration office, souvenir shops and the 146 meters pedestrian mall with cascading pools.
- The tower shaft comprises 22 levels with 4 elevatorElevatorAn elevator is a type of vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods between floors of a building, vessel or other structures...
s and flights of stairs with a total of 2,058 steps. - The tower head holds the public observationObservationObservation is either an activity of a living being, such as a human, consisting of receiving knowledge of the outside world through the senses, or the recording of data using scientific instruments. The term may also refer to any data collected during this activity...
platform (276 m) and revolving restaurantRevolving restaurantA revolving restaurant is a usually tower restaurant eating space designed to rest atop a broad circular revolving platform that operates as a large turntable. The building remains stationary and the diners are carried on the revolving floor. The revolving rate varies between one and three times...
as well as the telecommunication and broadcasting stations. - The antennaAntenna (radio)An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
mast crowns the tower and is specially utilized for telecommunication and broadcasting transmissionsTransmission (telecommunications)Transmission, in telecommunications, is the process of sending, propagating and receiving an analogue or digital information signal over a physical point-to-point or point-to-multipoint transmission medium, either wired, optical fiber or wireless...
.
When constructing the KL Tower, the builders took special care to construct a retaining wall around a 100-year-old jelutong tree
Jelutong (tree)
The jelutong is a species of tree in the oleander subfamily. It grows to approximately 60 metres tall with diameters of 2 metres , or even to 80 m tall with diameters to 3 m , and boles clear and straight for 30 m...
(Dyera costulata). The tower was moved at a cost of RM430,000 to avoid harming the monumental tree, which is found near the pedestrian mall.
KL Tower is managed by Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn. Bhd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Telekom Malaysia
Telekom Malaysia
Telekom Malaysia Berhad , DBA TM, is the largest integrated solutions provider in Malaysia, and one of Asia's leading communications companies, with a market capitalisation of RM13.9 billion and a workforce of 26,629 employees. Established as the Telecommunications Department of Malaya in 1946, it...
Group.
KL Tower is also the first pit-stop in The Amazing Race Asia 1
The Amazing Race Asia 1
The Amazing Race Asia 1 is the first season of the reality television game show The Amazing Race Asia. The show features ten teams of two, with a pre-existing relationship, in a race around Asia and Pacific Rim to win US$100,000. Applications were accepted through March 31, 2006...
and fielded a route marker on the final leg of the same race.
Transport
The Tower is located on Jalan Puncak, which branches off from Jalan P. Ramlee. Even though they're not very close, the closest rapid transit stations would be Bukit Nanas Monorail stationBukit Nanas Monorail station
Bukit Nanas Monorail station is a Malaysian elevated monorail train station that serves as a part of the Kuala Lumpur Monorail , located in Kuala Lumpur and opened alongside the rest of the train service on August 31, 2003. This station was formerly called P. Ramlee Monorail station, which was...
and Dang Wangi LRT station
Dang Wangi LRT station
Dang Wangi LRT station is an underground rapid transit station, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, part of the Kelana Jaya Line . The station was opened on June 1, 1999, as part of the line's second and latest extension, which includes the addition of 12 stations , and an underground line that the Dang...
.
See also
- Petronas Towers
- List of towers
- List of tallest freestanding structures in the world