Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery
Sasana Kijang, 2, Jalan Dato Onn, Kuala Lumpur, 50480
Kuala Lumpur’s Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery does something rather unusual in the world of museums: it combines art with banking and economics exhibits. This is perhaps unsurprising as it’s run by Bank Negara Malaysia, or the Central Bank of Malaysia. Come here to learn about the Malaysian economy and the bank’s role in supporting local arts.
The basics
The museum is divided into six permanent galleries that explore different aspects of Malaysian banking, Islamic finance, and art. There’s a special children’s section, and an area focusing on numismatics—the collection of coins and currency—which children may also enjoy. Art enthusiasts will especially appreciate the small 3rd-floor gallery, which contains rotating exhibits from the bank’s collection of mostly modern Malaysian art.
Travelers with an interest in this museum tend to visit independently. You could also add it to a customizable private tour of Kuala Lumpur.
Things to know before you go
- Admission is free.
- Allow around one hour to explore the museum.
- You may find certain galleries are temporarily closed during your visit.
- All of the museum’s galleries and facilities are accessible for wheelchair users and strollers.
How to get there
The museum is located in north central Kuala Lumpur, just west of the Jalan Kuching highway. It’s quite near the Bank Negara train station, which is served by the Seremban and Port Klang lines. From the station you could hail a taxi for the short drive, or walk for about 10 minutes.
When to get there
The museum is open every day except Monday, from mid morning until early evening. It also closes on the first three days of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid al-Fitr) festival, which takes place in late March. The museum tends to be busiest on weekdays, when it’s a popular destination with local school groups.
Other top niche museums in Kuala Lumpur
Beside the Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur is home to several excellent niche museums. The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia displays beautiful arts and crafts from across the Islamic world, the National Textiles Museum presents Malaysian fabrics and accessories, and the Orang Asli Crafts Museum showcases artifacts from an indigenous Malaysian group.
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