Saloma Link Bridge, All You Need To Know
Kuala Lumpur also gets another beautiful tourist attraction: the new Saloma Link Bridge, a futuristically designed bridge connecting Kampung Baharu to KLCC.
Opened on February 5, 2020, this beautiful bridge has become the talk of the town, namely on social media, and not forgetting the Instagram influencers. So, if you think you are one, you must head here. But before heading here, I’ve come up with this article on everything you need to know about the Saloma Link Bridge, or Pintasan Saloma as it is called in Malay.
Saloma Link Bridge, All You Need To Know
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| The stunning light displays at the Saloma Link Bridge in KL. |
The most important question is, where is this bridge? The answer is just below. Before you head here, you need to know where, when, what, and why this bridge was created. The Saloma Link is a single-span steel bridge illuminated by 4,100 diamond facade panels, which feature state-of-the-art LED lighting.
This bridge was built to connect Kampung Baharu City Center (KBCC) to Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC), and it now only takes seven to eight minutes to get from one end to the other.
The concept of this bridge is also similar to the Bridge of Peace in Tbilisi, Georgia, where the LED lights illuminate to change patterns periodically. Saloma Link is the most exquisite pedestrian bridge ever built in Kuala Lumpur and is slated to be one of the top three tourist attractions in KL.
Why is the Bridge named Saloma?
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| The majestic night view of the KL skyline from the bridge. |
This is probably one of the questions not many people ask, but most local Malaysians will know the answer without thinking hard. For those who do not know, Salmah Ismail, or Saloma, was a very famous Singaporean-Malaysian singer, film actress, trendsetter, and fashion icon who became well known in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Saloma was also the wife of the iconic Malaysian artist P. Ramlee, the country’s most famous artist from the same era.
What is the Design of the Saloma Link Bridge?
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| The interior of the bridge is seen from the inside. |
While it all looks super futuristic, the design cleverly reflects Malay culture. The overall design represents the Sirih Junjung, or Betelnut Leaf arrangement, which is traditionally offered in Malay weddings and ceremonies as a symbol of unity in a long-standing tradition of Malay culture.
How Long is the Saloma Link Bridge?
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| An overall view of the Saloma Link Bridge. |
While it does look like a standard bridge, the Saloma Link is 370 meters (1,213.9 feet) long. The main structure, the Sirih Junjung, represents the covered walkway, is a total of 69 meters (223.6 feet) that spans across the Klang River and the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway, or AKLEH highway.
The start of the bridge from Kampung Bahari is from Lorong Raja Muda Musa 3, which is around 100 meters from the underground Kampung Baru LRT station. The other side of the bridge is connected with Lorong Saloma, just beside the Menara Public Bank building along Jalan Ampang.
How Much Did It Cost To Build the Saloma Link Bridge?
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| Construction of the Saloma Link Bridge. Photo from Veritas Design Group Facebook. |
While many may think it costs too much, the actual cost to build the Saloma Link is RM31 million (USD$ 7.47 million), including the consultancy costs. The initial cost was RM20 Million (USD$4.81 Million) back in the planning stages, but over the year, it escalated to the current figure mentioned above.
Where is the Saloma Link Bridge in KL?
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| The location map for the bridge. |
The bridge is at the back of the British Council or Menara Public Bank building along Jalan Ampang. This means that if you are at KLCC, you can take a 5—to 10-minute walk to the Saloma Link Bridge from the Petronas Twin Towers. Another landmark is the Jalan Ampang Muslim Cemetery or the Australian Embassy, where the bridge is behind.
How to Go to Saloma Link Bridge?
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| Main entrance from KLCC or Petronas Twin Towers. |
There are two ways to get to the Saloma Link Bridge and depends on which part of KL you are located. However, I will share both ways for everyone below.
1. From KLCC and Petronas Twin Towers
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| When you walk from KLCC, this is the entrance to the Saloma Link Bridge. |
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| Public parking lot behind the Menara Public Bank building. |
2. From Kampung Baharu
Most locals will take this way while driving or taking the LRT train. This way is tricky for foreigners because it is at one end of Kampung Baharu and not a commercial area. Parking along the Kampung Baharu area at night is relatively safe, and as of this writing, no parking fees are being collected. Therefore, many are seen parking along the road to the bridge.
You can take the LRT and get off at the Kampung Baharu LRT stop, then walk to the start of the bridge at Lorong Raja Muda Musa 3. From the Kampung Baharu entrance, there is an elevator and a three-story staircase, which is accessible to the elderly and disabled.
If you take the stairs, there are a total of 82 steps to the top and for security, there is a security table by the elevator on the ground level.
When is the Best Time to Visit Saloma Link Bridge?
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| Beautiful KL city skyline with the Saloma Link Bridge. |
Many will ask this question, and honestly, the best time is when the bridge is lit after sunset. This is when the lighting designs and colours come into play. In the day, it looks nice minus the lighting. Therefore, if you are short, you can visit the bridge during the day and capture some lovely skyline photos.
- In the night—This is the best time to visit because the lighting creates a picture-perfect moment. Not only that, but the weather is much cooler at night compared to the day.
- Weekends—If you come here on a weekend, you can expect hoards of people, and this could be quite tricky, especially for photography. Plus, with a lot of people, the photo might not turn out great.
- Weekdays—I strongly recommend visiting the Saloma Link Bridge on a weekday from around 7 PM to around 10 PM, as fewer people are there. Fewer people mean more opportunities for different angles.
Where is the Best Direction to Take Photos of the Saloma Link Bridge?
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| A photo taken from inside the bridge shows the Petronas Twin Towers. |
This is a question that not many will ask, but I’m listing it down just in case you need to know which part is best for photography.
The Kampung Baharu Direction: This is hands down the best view of the bridge, as you can see the Petronas Twin Towers in the background, along with the Public Bank Building.
If you are coming from the KLCC way, you must walk across the bridge to the other end to get this photo angle. There is also a staircase that leads down to Kampung Baharu, and after the first flight of stairs, there is a corner where you can capture a nice photo of the bridge with the skyscrapers in the background.
The KLCC Direction: This is the primary way to enter the bridge from the Jalan Ampang entrance at the side of the Menara Public Bank building. When you reach the start of the bridge, you walk straight in and turn left. The entire bridge is illuminated, making it a good place for a photo opportunity.
What to Bring to the Saloma Link Bridge?
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| The interior of the Saloma Link Bridge is perfect for that Instagram shot. |
If you are one of those up-and-coming influencers in the limelight, you should be prepared to bring the necessary items to make your photos stand out. Of course, the below applies to those coming here for evening or night photography. Please note that if you want beautiful photographs, you need a high-end smartphone or a proper camera.
For locals
- Bring some colourful clothes that stand out on the bridge’s multiple colours.
- Bring a portable fan as it can get stuffy when too many people are around.
- Don’t use your old smartphones; the photo will not turn out nicely.
For Influencers
- Bring your best striking dress to stand out in the sea of colours.
- Bring accessories like a hat or scarf to stand out from the many people there.
- Bring your extra lighting to capture your features.
- Don’t expect the place to be empty for your Insta-worthy shot, as it is something new.
What Time Does the Saloma Bridge Open and Close?
- Apparently, the bridge is open 24/7, and the lighting takes place from 7 PM to 10 PM at night. However, since Saloma Link opened, many visitors have come.
- When I visited on Monday at 10:00 PM, the lights were still on until around 11:00 PM; hence, I suspect they turned off the LED lights around midnight.
- There is no official time for this right now, but I would easily recommend that you visit around 6.30 PM till midnight.
What Light Designs Are Used?
- From my calculations, about four main designs play in intervals of ten minutes. The most catchy one is, of course, the Malaysian flag design.
- Three other designs will replace one another at these intervals, so when you are there, you need to pay attention to the changes in the lighting.
- The intelligent lighting system of the 4,100 LED lights creates a 3D-like movement in the lights, which is also great for those who are taking videos.
Safety Precautions at the Saloma Link
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| One of the beautiful angles for photography at the bridge. |
Without fail, any place that attracts a crowd will also attract petty thieves. This means that you should always be aware of your surroundings. Never take things for granted. Also, do not leave your bags around because you are busy taking photos. And watch out for pickpockets, especially on weekends when the crowd is enormous here.
Whenever someone bumps into you accidentally, please quickly check your belongings, as this is an old trick. These perpetrators will be going for your wallet or purse, as most will have their smartphones in their hands to take photos.
There are security officers located on both ends of the bridge for safety reasons, to prevent vandalism, petty traders, and touts.
Who Built the Saloma Link Bridge?
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| The beauty of the bridge is seen at night. |
A good question, and many may think it is the Kuala Lumpur City Council that built this, but sorry to say it is not. The Kampong Baru Development Corporation (PKB) built the Saloma Link Bridge. The project started in October 2017 and took around 18 months to complete.
The Saloma Link Bridge is just one part of the Kampung Baharu facelift, which is planned until 2037 and will cost around RM43 billion (USD$ 10.36 billion). Veritas Design Group also designed the Saloma Link’s aesthetics. The group was extensively involved in the master plan for the Kampung Baru redevelopment.
Photos of the Saloma Link Bridge
Below are random photos taken while I visited this magnificent bridge. The images show one of the many designs that change colours.
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| A yellow-green colour tone. |
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| The purplish tone from the LED lights. |
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| A nice reddish-purple hue. |
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| Blue and purple colours. |
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| Green tones slowly take over the blue colours. |
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| A nice orangy-yellow and red mix. |
Conclusion
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