When the Saloma Link, or Pintasan Saloma, opened last February, it became the only thing connecting the Malay enclave of Kampung Baru and Jalan Ampang in decades. The bridge’s striking form, which resembles sirih junjung – a traditional arrangement of betel leaves used in Malay weddings, quickly rose through the ranks of the city’s most Instagrammable spots.
Spanning the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway and Klang River, the 69-metre link lights up like an elongated beacon when night falls, its shell covered in LED lights that cycle through the colour spectrum in prints and patterns including Malaysia’s national flag.
The Saloma Link takes its name from the female fashion icon who became the third wife of legendary Malay actor P.Ramlee, both of which lie buried in the Muslim cemetery just a few minutes’ walk from the bridge. A walk which, if coming from the Kampung Baru side, would have taken over 30 minutes to complete before the bridge – and which now takes only 10.
Both locals and tourists alike have benefitted from the enhanced connectivity that links old and new KL. For professionals working nearby, the bridge has increased lunch options that are now easily accessible by foot. Likewise for those wanting to visit loved ones at the cemetery – the bridge now makes it easy to get to via the Kampung Baru LRT station and a short walk.
It’s almost impossible not to take a stunning shot of this manmade marvel when it’s lit up, but the elevated platform on the Kampung Baru side makes for the perfect spot with the Petronas Twin Towers in the background. There’s plenty of other interesting angles, including from below and inside the bridge itself where you can take some close-up details of the metalwork. Gaps where the ‘leaves’ of the bridge roof overlap also provide a unique frame through which you can capture the skyline behind. 
If you’re exploring the city on two wheels, the bridge has a purpose-built bicycle slot that follows the staircase up on the Kampung Baru side, while the opposite end has a smooth ramp leading up to it. Wheelchair users are also catered to with a lift on the staircase side.
Building the bridge was no mean feat as the expressway over it had to be kept open during the entire construction period. Heavy machinery was also not permitted as the two piers of the bridge are within LRT line protection zones. With those factors in mind, it’s easy to see why the project took almost two years to complete and costed upwards of RM31 million.
While usual opening hours are from 5pm to 1am, currently the bridge closes at 6pm every day in line with the pandemic SOPs – so you’ll only be able to take night shots from afar. Having said that, it’s still well worth a visit to capture some beautiful photos with the Towers behind.
Saloma Link
Where Between Lorong Raja Muda Musa 3, Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur (public transport – LRT Kampung Baru)
When 5am-6pm (Mon-Sun)