This traditional wooden Malay house, originally built in a Kedah village in the early 20th century, stands as a striking piece of heritage among Kuala Lumpur’s modern skyscrapers. Carefully preserved and relocated to the city, it offers you an insight into traditional Malay architecture and lifestyle. The guided tour includes a 20-minute film explaining the relocation process, followed by an informative walk through the house led by knowledgeable and welcoming guides. On site, you’ll also find a small café and gift shop.

This historic district made up of traditional wooden Malay houses on stilts will not be around for much longer, as pressure mounts on landowners to sell their properties to make way for new urban development. For now; however, you can still wander through and catch a glimpse of what KL's outskirts of the early 1900 looked like, complete with chickens and livestock roaming around, and all manner of street food cooked up along alleyways. Kamoung Baru hosts a weekly night market that sells clothing and handicrafts.

Beit Nassif stands as one of Al-Balad’s most significant restored coral houses, a 19th-century merchant’s mansion that later served as a royal residence for King Abdulaziz. Its Ottoman-inspired design includes distinctive bay windows and ramps built for camel messengers to access the upper floors. The interior reveals grand rooms and a library, while a 130-year-old neem tree — once Jeddah’s only tree — guards the entrance. Visiting can be a logistical exercise; access is not always straightforward, and some areas, like the rooftop terrace with its panoramic views, may be closed without notice. It’s wise to call ahead to confirm opening times and avoid a fruitless journey.