Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the most popular city of the multi cultural country, Malaysia. With skyscrapers on one side and shopping malls on the other, Kuala Lumpur has its own night life. It is an enclave within the state of Selangor.

Kuala Lumpur, meaning ‘muddy confluence', has grown with amazing speed since the economic growth accelerated during the 1980s and early 1990s, resulted in vibrant cityscape. Over the last few years the construction and infrastructure projects have seen the city's skyline become crowded with cranes and clanking machinery as entire neighbourhoods have undergone redevelopment. Kuala Lumpur is now one of the most important cities of Asia and continues to grow economically, culturally and politically.

Kuala Lumpur is famous for its street foods all over the world, the street food of KL is a vibrant mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Thai and Arabian and that is what makes it special, what else can you ask for. The use of spices and ingredients used in the dishes is just mind blowing. Also, Kuala Lumpur is different from other Asian countries in terms of night life and shopping.

What to see in Kuala Lumpur

Petronas Twin Towers

Petronas Twin Towers were once the tallest buildings in the world. Now the world’s tallest twin structures, the 88-storey buildings were designed by Cesar Pelli & Associates with both towers joined at the 41st and 42nd floors (175m above street level) by a 58 metre-long, double-decker Sky Bridge.

Standing 452 metres tall, the Petronas Twin Towers retained its world-title claim to fame until 2004 when Taipei's 101 was built, measuring 508 metres tall. Today, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (opened in 2010) retains the spot as the world’s tallest building. Located in the KL city centre, the Petronas Twin Towers’ architecture is Islamic-inspired and the buildings primarily house the corporate headquarters of the Petronas Company and other offices.

Menara KL Tower

Along with the Petronas Twin Towers, Menara KL Tower is easily Malaysia’s most recognizable and popular landmark. Constructed in 1994, the tower stands at 421 metres and effortlessly trumps the Petronas Twin Towers with the highest and most spectacular view of the city. This gleaming tower’s spindle-like apex is visible from almost anywhere in Kuala Lumpur.

Chinatown

The colourful Chinatown is a well-known bargain hunter's paradise that seemingly never sleeps. Deeply immersed in Oriental culture, heritage and history, it is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist spots in Malaysia, and holds its own against its more glamorous neighbours, KLCC & Bukit Bintang. Representing Malaysia's multihued multicultural background perfectly, you can find all sorts of items, from Chinese herbs to imitation goods in this area.

Batu Caves

Batu Caves, one of Kuala Lumpur’s most frequented tourist attractions, is a limestone hill comprising three major caves and a number of smaller ones. Located approximately 11 kilometres to the north of Kuala Lumpur, this 100-year-old temple features idols and statues erected inside the main caves and around it. Incorporated with interior limestone formations said to be around 400 million years old, the temple is considered an important religious landmark by Hindus.

Things to do in Kuala Lumpur

Ancient and modern Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, or 'KL' to locals, has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a tin mining town; the name actually means 'muddy estuary' in Malay. It is the largest and fastest growing city in the country, and the huge Petronas Towers twin skyscrapers that dominate the skyline demonstrate the city's ambition. The Central Market is at the heart of the city, a famous landmark for Malaysian culture and heritage. Built in 1888 it originally functioned as a wet market, but today tourists visit for its stalls selling handicrafts, art, songket fabric, batik cloth and souvenirs. The National Monument, the Sultan Abdul Samad government buildings, Independence Square, the Selangor Club and Istana Negara (the King’s Palace) all give a glimpse into the city's past. For a more contemporary take on the city, the Annexe Gallery, located at the back of Central Market, is a popular venue for events such as film screenings and art exhibitions.

Discover the Batu Caves

A short drive north from Kuala Lumpur, the Batu Caves encompass three large caves and a few smaller ones, set in a limestone cliff face. The largest, known as Cathedral Cave, is reached by a climb up 272 steps, and features a significant Hindu shrine. The caves attract many tourists from Kuala Lumpur, but are also an important pilgrimage site for the Hindu community, and the centre for the annual Thaipusam festival.

Visit the elephant conservation centre

Located outside Kuala Lumpur in Krau Wildlife Game Reserve, the National Elephant Conservation Centre at Kuala Gandah was founded in 1989 and takes its name from the Kuala Gandah stream within the reserve. Prior to this, the staff operated a mobile team with a temporary base at the Jengka Pusat plantation. Today, the centre aims to ensure the protection and management of the elephants and their habitat, enhance the public's knowledge, awareness and support for elephant conservation, and manage the centre for research, education and eco-tourism. Come into close contact with these magnificent animals, and learn more about the conservation programme and its objectives. There are opportunities to feed the elephants under the supervision of the local rangers, who are also on hand to explain more about the protection and conservation of the Asian elephant.

What to Eat In Kuala Lumpur

Whether you are looking for cheap local food or an award-winning fine diner, KL certainly delivers. In fact, we will not sugar-coat it for you – a good general rule of thumb is that the best things to eat in Kuala Lumpur do not always come in shiny surrounds. Time tested dishes popular with travellers from all over the world include nasi lemak, asam laksa and roti canai.

Shopping

The Kuala Lumpur shopping scene is truly an impressive one. The Bukit Bintang and Kuala Lumpur City Centre areas provide the most variety for high-end fashion, with upmarket malls like the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Suria KLCC being home to many international luxury brands.

Street markets are popular in Kuala Lumpur, too. The Petaling Street and handicraft emporium Central Market are the perfect places to get a real sense of the city’s culture and local shopping scene. There’s something for every taste and budget in Kuala Lumpur.

How to Reach Kuala Lumpur

By Air: Kuala Lumpur, the national capital is well connected with the rest of the world by various international airlines. The national carrier is the Malaysian Airlines which serves various important cities of the world. Long distance flights from Europe to Far East made transit stops in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is also served by various low cost airlines that operate in the Southeast Asia.