The most wonderful museum in Kuala Lumpur — and, perhaps, one of the very best things to do in town — has to be the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia. Opened in 1998, the museum still feels fresh, airy, and relevant. It showcases hundreds of pieces from all over the Islamic world, from Persia and the Middle East to China and the Malay Peninsula.

What makes this museum so great?

• Even when there are crowds, it doesn’t feel crowded.
• It’s bright, open, and spacious.
• The curators have selected so many beautiful pieces, exposing visitors to a wide array of arts and building styles from many Islamic cultures.
• The text panels are helpful without being overwhelming (though you will find occasional, frustrating signs that say: “This gallery is currently undergoing refurbishment. We apologies [sic] for the lack of information”).

For my money, the star of the show at this museum is the Architecture Gallery, where you are greeted by scale models of mosques from all over the globe.

This is your chance to see the vast diversity of Islamic architecture all in one place, from Mecca’s Masjid al-Haram to the oldest wooden mosque in Malaysia:

You could spend an entire hour in this gallery, but you’ll need to save your energy for everything that’s coming next, including the impressive collection of texts.

Books and Maps

There are many different copies of the Qur’an, of course …

… and prayer books …

… but you’ll also find everything from books of medicine to traditional Islamic representations of the world:

This is some wild cartography:

If those maps puzzle you, the museum offers this guide (it’s helpful to know that the blue/black areas are water):

India, China, and the Malay World

On the first floor, the gallery spaces are then divided into three geographic regions: India…

… China…

… and the Malay World.

From Jewels and Baubles to Fine Ceramics

Upstairs, the curators have divvied up works by material rather than region, so you will find areas featuring elements such as jewelry …

… textiles …

… glass …

… metalwork …

… and ceramics:

To conclude, there’s a wonderful section that combines different types of items — fashion, household goods, games, furniture, and more — so you can get an understanding of how all of these works might come together in a single region. For example, here’s a “lifestyle case” from Ottoman Turkey…

… and another from Central Asia:

Do I love everything about this museum? No. The building feels awkwardly designed for its purpose; the flow isn’t always self-evident, and you need to navigate a large, cavernous area to leave at the end. I also wish you could walk out to get a better look at the rooftop dome that sits so tantalizingly out of reach.

Still, this is such a fantastic place — don’t miss it if you’re in the capital!

Before You Go: Visiting the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

• It’s open seven days a week, from 9:30 until 18:00.
• Admission prices are very reasonable; entry fees may be found here.
• Plan to spend at least an hour and a half here. I stayed for over two hours and wished I’d had even more time.
• The museum has an extensive gift shop, a cafe, and — most importantly — air conditioning.

Looking for more amazing things to do in Kuala Lumpur? Don’t miss my post on markets, museums, murals, and more.

If you’re excited about Islamic arts, read all about The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar.