MY · Kuala Lumpur · 3.14°N 101.70°E

stadium merdeka

Where Tunku proclaimed independence in 1957, restored, with a public track under Merdeka 118.

Best time
Any time of year. The track opens to the public early in the morning and early in the evening, the coolest times anyway; concerts and events close it.
How long
1–2 hours
Getting there
Take the monorail to Maharajalela, the MRT Kajang line to Merdeka or the LRT to Plaza Rakyat; each is a short walk away. Driving into the Merdeka 118 area is slow, so take the train.
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MY · Kuala Lumpurstadium merdeka3.14°N 101.70°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Where Tunku proclaimed independence in 1957, restored, with a public track under Merdeka 118.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingStadium MerdekaMY, Kuala Lumpur
KLstadium merdeka
≈ 1 km from KL, as the crow flies
Merdeka Boulevard At 118

Photo: Renek78 · CC0

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

On the morning of 31 August 1957, Tunku Abdul Rahman read the proclamation of independence here and led the crowd in shouts of 'Merdeka!'; Malaysia was proclaimed here six years later. Closed in 2016 while Merdeka 118 went up next door, the stadium was restored to its 1957 look and reopened in August 2024, and you can now jog its track under the tower.

Makan

  1. Kopitiam breakfastKaya toast, half-boiled eggs and kopi at the old coffee shops around Petaling Street.Map ↗
  2. Air mata kucingThe cold longan drink from the stalls on Petaling Street, after a run in the heat.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The trackWalk or jog laps of the eight-lane track around the pitch, with Merdeka 118 rising over the stands.Map ↗
  2. The grandstandThe covered stand and terraces are back to their 1957 look; Muhammad Ali fought Joe Bugner here in 1975.Map ↗
  3. Heritage toursGuided tours on the stadium's story run on some days; the stadium's social media has the dates.Map ↗
  4. Petaling StreetChinatown is about 10 minutes' walk away for breakfast after a morning run.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Bring water and a cap; there's little shade on the track.
  • Concerts and big events close the track, so check the stadium's social media before you go.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.