Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur Travel Guide
Kuala Lumpur is the bustling capital city of Malaysia and its showpiece of prosperity and grandeur. Kuala Lumpur means ‘muddy estuary’, a name coined by the original tin prospectors who arrived at the confluence of the Kelang and Gombak rivers in 1860. The capital of Malaysia, is located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Covering some 243 sq km, it lies approximately 40 km from the coast. This blend of old and new worlds, interspersed with the diverse influences of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultural lifestyles, makes for a fascinating exploration of the city’s streets. An orientation of Kuala Lumpur is best begun from Merdeka Square, the heart of the city. To the southeast of the square is the modern business centre and the bustling streets of Chinatown. The picturesque National Mosque (Masjid Negara) and impressive Railway Station can be located to the south and beyond them to the west is the city’s green belt. The tranquil and lush Lake Gardens provides some respite from the frenetic activity of the city. The National Museum (Muzim Negara), the National Monument and the Malaysian Parliament are also found on this stretch.
Another vantage point for a bird’s-eye-view of KL is the KL Tower ("Menara KL") a telecommunication tower (www.kuala-lumpur.ws/menarakl). The uniquely designed building resembles a giant baby’s rattle and is one of the world’s tallest concrete structures at 421m. The tower has an observation deck offering a 360-degree view of the city, and a restaurant serving a scrumptuous buffet lunch and dinner. Reservations are needed as it is usually fully booked.
Other sights that are good for photo opportunities are the Jamek Mosque at the confluence of Klang and Gombak Rivers, the National Mosque, the Thean Hou Temple and the Sri Mahamariaman Temple. Do note that visitors to these places of worship are requested to dress appropriately. In mosques, visitors may be asked to put on a robe to cover exposed arms and legs, before allowed entry.
Close to downtown is the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, a 10.5ha natural jungle sanctuary for birds and wildlife, with footpaths for visitors. The Lake Gardens area contains a few pleasant attractions. There is the National Monument (a war monument featuring a dramatic and stunning bronze statue designed by American sculptor Felix de Weldon to commemorate the fallen heroes during World War II and the Emergency period of communist unrest), the KL Bird Park which boasts of being the largest open aviary in the region, the Orchid Garden, the Hibiscus Garden, the Butterfly and Deer Park and the National Planetarium, with several exhibits of interest (although not that many to warrant a specific visit - go there if you are in the vicinity and have time to spare). The planetarium is joined by a pedestrian bridge to the National Museum.
The Sultan Abdul Samad building (where the Supreme Court sits) and the old Railway Station, Parliament House are interesting pieces of architecture that never fail to attract shuttlebugs.
KL is fast becoming a city of museums, with a myriad of sites for the curious visitors, sited about the Lake Gardens vicinity. The National Museum contains exhibits of Malaysia’s past and holds themed exhibits seasonally. There are also the Tunku Abdul Rahman Memorial housing the memorabilia of the nation’s first prime minister, including his first office(!) and official residence; the Tun Abdul Razak Memorial in memory of the second Prime Minister (the memorial itself is housed in the official residence of the Prime Minister); the Police Museum; the Islamic Art Museum; the Civil Service Memorial; the KL Natural History Museum.
Kuala Lumpur is also a shoppers’ haven. The Central Market is a huge centre with restaurants and a good place to shop for curios and handicraft items. If your timing is right visit the Sunday Market (it usually opens from Saturday night until the wee hours of Sunday morning).
Other shopping opportunities are Lot 10 (upmarket branded goods); KL Plaza; Sungai Wang Plaza; Imbi Plaza and Low Yat Plaza (computer and electronic goods); and Berjaya Times Squares (upmarket, too). All located in the so-called Golden Triangle of KL. Slightly out of town is the Mid-Valley Megamall.
The most popular day trip from KL is to the limestone Batu Caves. It lies a short distance north of town and the main cave has to be accessed by climbing up 272 stairs. Hindu devotees perform annual pilgrimages during the festival of Thaipusam by putting on kavadis and climbing these steps to the temple inside the main cave.
About 45 minutes away from the heart of the city is Genting Highlands, practically a city in itself. Billed as the City of Entertainment, it boasts a family-oriented theme park, internationally-billed shows and live performances, a golf course, an equestrian course, and the country’s only licensed casino. The highlands resort offers low-cost but very comfortable bus services at frequent intervals from several main destinations in KL. The buses travel up to a cable-car station midway and visitors continue their journey on what Genting claims to be the fastest cable-car in the region.
Kuala Lumpur Attractions
Asean sculpture garden
Butterfly park
Cammonwealth hill and family park
Central market
Dataran merdeka
Deer park
Dewan filharmonik petronas
Galeri petronas
Hibiscus garden
Islamic arts museum malaysia
Istana negara
Jalan masjid india
Komplex budaya kraf
Kuala lumpur bird park
Kuala lumpur city center park
Kuala lumpur lake gardens
Kuala lumpur railway station
Malaysia tourist information complex (matic)
Masjid jamek
Menara kuala lumpur
Nation sports complex
National art gallery
National monument
National mosque
National museum
National science center
National zoo and aquarium
Nationalplanetarium
Orchid garden
Petaling street
Petronas twin towers
Rumah penghulu abu seman
Sultan abdul saman building
Sungai kuyoh
The family park
The national theater
