After pickup at your centrally located Kuala Lumpur hotel, you are transferred by air-conditioned vehicle to Malaysia’s oldest theater, Panggung Bandaraya, a handsome Mughal-inspired building with ornate arched windows and doorways, topped by a copper dome.

Get comfortable in the air-conditioned theater, and prepare to be immersed in the story of the founding of Malaysia's capital city, Kuala Lumpur. The musical starts in 1880 and follows three young men who move from their villages to a modest tin-mining town at the confluence of two rivers, hence the title MUD.

The top-notch cast delivers the tale with lively music, dance numbers, costumes and set design, all inspired by various Malaysian art traditions like batik and folk dance. At the end of the 1-hour show, you may be able to catch a photo op with cast members. Then meet your guide for a short walking tour.

From the theater, stroll over to nearby Dataran Merdeka, where in 1957 the Malaysian flag was first raised after the country declared independence from British rule. Your guide points out several important landmarks around the square, including the grand Sultan Abdul Samad Building, a masterpiece of colonial architecture.

Nearby stands the Royal Selangor Club Complex, the former National History Museum, the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, St Mary's Anglican Cathedral and the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, known for its blend of Eastern and Western architecture. Hear informative commentary from your guide about these sites and other historical landmarks during the leisurely 1-hour walk of less than 1 mile (about 1 km).

Your driver then returns you to your hotel, or you can stay out on your own to continue exploring independently; perhaps visit nearby attractions like Chinatown and the stunning Hindu temple Sri Mahamariamman.