Dataran Merdeka (or Independence Square) is appropriately named as it was at this place on August 30, 1957 at midnight, the Malayan flag was hoisted for the first time in the country's history upon gaining independence from the British rule. The flag raising ceremony was held at the very spot where the 100-metre high flagpole now stands.

Underneath the flagpole area is Plaza Putra, an underground food, leisure and entertainment complex, as well as an underground parking bay. On the other end of the immaculately-turfed 8.2ha field lies a fountain area with elegant colonnades and colourful rows of zinnias and marigolds, a nice place to rest after a day's trip.

The whole area surrounding the square has a lot of historical elements attached to them as well. On one side, there is the Royal Selangor Club Complex, built in 1890. It was, and still is where cricket enthusiasts head for to play and watch the game on Sundays.

On the opposite side are the majestic Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the National History Museum (formerly the Chartered Bank Building) and the Memorial Library, a building dating back to 1909, St. Mary's Anglican Cathedral, the original Kuala Lumpur Railway Station (next to the Sultan Abdul Samad Building), the 102-year old Sanitary Board fountain and the impressive Dayabumi Complex.

Dataran Merdeka holds true to its historical value, as it has, more than often hosted a lot of processions, annual events and happenings, such as the Merdeka Processions, Citrawarna and so on.