Ampang, Kuala Lumpur

Ampang is a suburb of Kuala Lumpur, partly located in the state of Selangor, Malaysia and was previously a tin mining town. Originally, Ampang only encompassed the present day Ampang New Village, Ampang Town, Ampang Malay Village, Bandar Baru Ampang, Taman Dagang, Dato' Ahmad Razali flats and parts of Ampang Jaya. Ampang is often misunderstood and thought to be located in the area where foreign embassies are located along Jalan Ampang.

It is divided into various smaller subdivisions; Ampang Indah, Ampang Mewah, Ampang Permai, Ampang Jaya and Lembah Jaya. Ampang also has a few housing estates: Taman Dagang, Taman Dagang Jaya, Taman Cahaya, Taman Cempaka, Taman Kosas, Taman Rasmi Jaya, Taman Bukit Indah, Taman Kesuma, Pandan Jaya and Pandan Indah. Exclusive condominiums also surround the area with their exquisite settings and decor. Examples of condominiums are Tara Condominium, East Side One Ampang Avenue, Condo Villa Aman, Ampang 971, and Villa Ampang. Taman TAR(Tunku Abdul Rahman) Ampang, which is a housing estate for the elites, is also located in Ampang in the Ampang Jaya area.

Ampang is also home to many professional and affluent Malays ranging from upper middle class and high class residents. Most of them are members of the Affluent Malays Professional Articulate Niche Group (AMPANG), formed by a group of Petronas executives.

Geography

Situated to the east of central Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Ampang(from Leboh Ampang in KL to the main road in front of Ampang LRT station), which is the main road to Ampang, is easily accessible from Jalan Tun Razak or Jalan Ulu Kelang from the Hulu Kelang or Setapak direction. It is also accessible from Cheras through Jalan Shamelin, from Jalan Tun Razak through Jalan Kampung Pandan via Taman Cempaka, from Kampung Pandan through Jalan Kampung Pandan Dalam via Taman Nirwana, from MRR2 via Pandan Indah & Taman Kencana and from Hulu Langat town through the mountain pass. Wangsa Maju, Setapak, central Kuala Lumpur (KLCC) and Salak Selatan surround Ampang.

Embassies

Many embassies are located in Ampang area, and still remain despite the Malaysian government's move to its new administrative centre of Putrajaya. Most are located along Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur the old-main road to Ampang and they include the British, French, Chinese, Russian, Singaporean, Indonesian, Irish and Thai embassies. The American embassy is also located in Ampang at the corner of Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan U Thant.

Food

Ampang is quite famous for its Yong tau foo, a Chinese soup dish with Hakka origins. There are 3 restaurants in Kampung Baru Ampang like Restaurant Foong Foong, Ampang Yong Tau Foo and Ampang Homeland, as well as "Jing Ji Xiang" in Cahaya which serve the famous dish. Ampang also has many Korean restaurants serving juicy steaks. Most of these Korean restaurants like Dae Jang Gum, BeeWon etc. are concentrated beside Ampang One Avenue apartments near Ampang Point shopping complex.

For western food, there are several places on the outskirts of Ampang, for example Victoria Station, which is located just opposite Sucasa Service Apartment along Jalan Ampang. Victoria Station is famous for its charbroiled steaks. With a broad range, including U.S. Rib-eyes, U.S. Prime Ribs, U.S. Sirloins, U.S. T-Bones, U.S. Spare ribs and many others, be prepared for a hearty meal with generous portions.

Entertainment

Down Jalan Ampang, in the direction of Kuala Lumpur's downtown area, one can find the National Art Gallery. Its displays include creative and contemporary art pieces and sculptures. Located just next to the National Art Gallery is Istana Budaya, Malaysia's very own cultural centre where performances and theatres are held. For the party animals, Zouk and Velvet Underground are the right place for clubbing, dining and drinking.

Shopping

Ampang has a few small sized shopping complexes. Following is a list of shopping complexes:

#Ampang Point (near One Ampang Avenue and beside the Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 2(MRR2))
#Plaza Ampang (across the MRR2 from Ampang Point)
#MidPoint (Pandan Indah)
#Paragon (Taman Muda Ampang)
#Pandan Kapital (beside Menara MPAJ in Pandan Indah)
#Spectrum Mall Ampang (Bandar Baru Ampang)
#Galaxy Ampang (near Taman Nirwana Ampang)
#TESCO Ampang (beside the MRR2 & nearby Pandan Jaya exit)
#Kuala Lumpur City Center

There are also many other shopping malls near Ampang. One can go to Ampang Park, Ampwalk, City Square and Suria KLCC right in the heart of the city following Jalan Ampang. There is also Great Eastern Mall and Avenue K within KLCC's vicinity.

Hospitals

Ampang presently has 4 hospitals namely:

#Ampang Putri Hospital (behind Ampang Point shopping complex)
#Pantai Hospital Pandan Indah(Pandan Indah)
#Hospital Ampang (Ampang Mewah)
#Gleneagles Hospital (Jalan Ampang)

Parks

For nature lovers, the National Zoo (Zoo Negara) is not far away and is one of the best attractions in Kuala Lumpur. Located in Hulu Kelang, the National Zoo is only 10 minutes away from Ampang using Jalan Hulu Kelang from Ampang Point shopping mall.

Virtually unknown to outsiders, Taman Rimba Ampang is a small recreational park with a small & shallow river. Those who want a short break from the fast paced Kuala Lumpur city can visit this park for its quiet and peaceful environment with the river's cool and clear water. Located in Lembah Jaya, this park used to be a popular spot before megamalls were built around Kuala Lumpur. Presently, this park is known only to long-time Ampang residents and is still being frequented by some.

See also

* Ampang, Selangor, Selangor's segment of greater Ampang.

External links

References