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Where to go in
KL |
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The
city of Kuala Lumpur is a fascinating mix of old and new, a blend of east and
west. Modern high-rise
buildings such as the Petronas Twin Towers, shopping complexes and
5-star hotel blocks and high-rise offices are built alongside mosques, colonial
buildings, Chinese temples, Hindu temples, old churches and pre-war
shophouses. Kuala Lumpur or KL is one of the cheapest city in Asia to live.
The city offers a surprising mix of
places to eat and shop that can suit every traveller's budget.
In the heart of the city,
you
can dine in style at exclusive specialty restaurants or savour
delicious local food at roadside stalls - Malay, Chinese, Indian,
Thai, other Asian or Continental food. Follow the places where locals
shop - at air-conditioned shopping malls or in open air bazaars and
markets. To go sightseeing and enjoy an educational experience, walk
the streets of KL to learn about the culture of the place or visit
the many
attractions in Kuala Lumpur city centre
Interesting sights
Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka
or Independence Square) is a wide field surrounded by heritage
buildings.
Historically, this was the location the Malayan flag was hoisted for
the first time, on
August 30, 1957
(midnight), upon gaining independence from British rule.
The stately colonial building
Sultan Abdul Samad Building of Mughal-styled architecture,
stands prominently here as the landmark of Kuala Lumpur. This building
constructed in 1897, serves as the Federal Court. A 41m clock tower,
stand out majestically at the centre of the structure.
Across the road
and field is the Tudor-style
Royal Selangor Club built in 1884 and St Mary’s Church built in 1894.
The Petronas Twin Tower, at a height of 1,483 feet
(453m), is one of the
world's tallest buildings. Within it, is the KLCC a busy shopping centre
with shops, restaurants and Cineplex. Designed by Ceasar Pelli, the
building was completed in 1998.
 Menara Kuala Lumpur or the KL tower is place to visit to get a
spectacular view of the city.
Menara Kuala
Lumpur is 515m above sea level and stands at a breathtaking height
of 421 metres. It was constructed as a telecommunications tower to
upgrade the quality of telecommunications and the clarity of
broadcast transmissions in Malaysia. Menara Kuala Lumpur, completed
in May 1996, ranks fourth amongst the tallest telecommunications
towers in the world.
Details at
Menara Kuala Lumpur
Visitors to Kuala Lumpur can also visit some interesting parks and caves
(some in the state of Selangor) such
as:
 Zoo
Negara (National Zoo) - located in Hulu Klang, Selangor is managed by the Malaysian Zoological Society, a
non-governmental organization established to create the first local
zoo for Malaysians. It houses a total of
over 5137 animals from 459 species of mammals, birds, reptiles,
amphibians and fish.
(more
at Selangor page)
Batu Caves
(Selangor) is the site of a Hindu temple and consist of three huge
caves. It is a very popular destination for those who can climb the 272
steps leading to the cave entrance. The cave is world renowned for its
Thaipusam (Hindu) festivities
held in January or February. This
is one of the most popular destination in Malaysia and the best time
to visit is during Thaipusam. (Details in
Selangor page)
Bird Park is just a 10-minutes drive from the city centre. It has
one of the largest aviary in the world and home to 3000 birds.
Lake Gardens is a place to enjoy a morning or evening walk.
Developed in 1880 , the garden covers 70 hectares, consisting
landscaped flower gardens, rolling lawns and two lakes.
Other sights in and around KL include the National Planetarium,
Orchid
Garden, National Monuments, Islamic Centre, etc.
...more about Selangor HERE
Heritage buildings
Kuala Lumpur Railway Station or
Stesen Keretapi Kuala Lumpur is a train station located in
Kuala Lumpur, completed in 1910 - a building built of Mughal-style.
The station is located along Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, previously
known as Victory Avenue. In 1995, access to KTM Komuter services was
introduced at the station. After Kuala Lumpur Sentral (see
Malaysia transport page-2
) assumed the responsibility of receiving intercity operations,
portions of station facilities designated for intercity services
were decommissioned or removed. The nearest LRT station, Pasar Seni
LRT station is located 400 metres away. The
Heritage Station
Hotel which occupies part of the station is a great place to
stay for great 5 accommodation at budget prices.
(Compare
hotel rates for this hotel here before booking!)
The Central Market with its hive of artists and a labyrinth of
shops selling all types of Malaysian goods.
This market was built in 1888 and extended in later years to cater
to the growing population of Kuala Lumpur during the colonial era.
In 1985, it was converted to a modern style bazaar called 'Pasar
Budaya' (Cultural Market) Stalls sells mainly Asian merchandise and
souvenirs. There are a number of local artists that des portrait for
you on the spot there.
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History and Culture
Learn about the history and cultural heritage of Malaysia, visit the
museums and craft centres in Kuala Lumpur:
-
National History Museum is housed in a building built in 1909 that
was formerly the Chartered bank of India, Australia and China. The
building was converted to a museum in 1996, showcasing the rich
history of Malaysia.
- National Museum is housed in a
beautiful building of ‘Minangkabau’ architecture with murals along its
walls. The museum displays exhibits of stuffed animals, birds,
traditional instruments, vintage cars, etc.
- Komplex
Kraf
If you are interested to know how
Malaysian handicrafts are made, drop by the Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur.
Bank Negara Museum is at Bank Negara (Central Bank of Malaysia)
located at Jalan Dato' Onn. The display is mainly on the evolution of
the Malaysian currency.
Puncak Rebang Royal Gallery-Museum is located at Level 3 of
Suria KLCC. This gallery takes visitors through the cultural landscape
of Malaysia - from performances and entertainment to the cultural
setting of a Malay village.
 History
of Malalysia here
 Shopping in
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is a
shopper's paradise with numerous bazaars,
shopping malls and roadside stalls.
A night out in KL is eat, shop or go clubbing.
Popular shopping areas, restaurants and clubs are centred at:
Bukit Bintang area or the Bintang Walk, in the busiest hub of Kuala
Lumpur - located here are pubs,
restaurants and shopping malls or complexes such as Sungai Wang Plaza, Bukit
Bintang Plaza, Starhill, Lot 10, Plaza Low Yat, etc. There are numerous
places to dine – restaurants or food courts housed within shopping
malls, bbpark, etc. Jalan Bukit Bintang and the Upper end of Jalan
Sultan Ismail is alive with people and activities at night, the place
for dining and clubbing. (Bintang walk).
KL Plaza host to numerous lively joints including a disco. To walk
around check our map of the
Bukit Bintang area here.
There are also many hotel accommodation available in this area - from
small budget hotels to exclusive 5-star hotels. Check out
hotels online to get cheaper rates and
offers. Bukit Bintang is a great area to stay as the place is
alive with people and activities throughout the day.
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman is one of the oldest shopping areas in
KL,
with a shopping mall and rows of
shophouses selling mainly clothes, textiles, carpets, costume
jewellery, fashion goods, etc. Prominent buildings are Globe Silk
Store, Sogo, Tunes hotel, etc.
 China Town Kuala Lumpur is the area around Petaling street, Jalan Sultan,
Jalan Hang Lekir, Jalan Tun HS Lee.
It
is centred around the Pasar Seni light rail station, bordered by Jalan
Sultan Mohamed on the west and Jalan Cheng Lock in the north. West of
Jalan Bukit Bintang (a distance away).
Shops here sell a wide variety of
Chinese food, medicine and all sorts of merchandise. There is a
market, goldsmith shops, restaurants, food shops and even bookshops.
There are even small hotels - popular with backpackers.
It
is best to shop here in the morning and enjoy open air dinning
here at night.
Petaling Street is packed with street stalls selling fashion goods, bags,
time pieces, etc. that you can bargain to your heart’s content.
Its a place noted for selling imitation goods. Petaling Street itself
is now a covered walkway, not open to traffic. Be careful walking
here. The place is overcrowded and sometime riddled with pick-pockets.
(Chinese celebrations in
Malaysia)
Little India of KL centres around
Jalan Masjid India. Shops and stalls sells sarees, traditional
medicines, colourful glass bangles and flowers. There are textile
shops alongside many 'makan' shops or small restaurants selling a
variety of Indian pancakes and snacks.
Suria
KLCC, (at the twin tower) is the most popular shopping centre
in the city, with department stores,
supermarkets, book shops, restaurants, Cineplex and numerous small
shop lots selling an assortment of merchandise. The
entire development area of KLCC actually encompasses parks, hotel,
convention centre and apartments
The
Piazza at the Megan Phileo Promenade, Jalan Tun Razak is alive
with dancing and dinning, all under one roof. There are some 10 outlet for
you to select.
Mid-Valley
Megamall
Just
at the fringe of the city centre is the Mid-Valley Mega Mall with
department stalls, Cineplex and a labyrinth of shops and food joints.
This is one of the most popular shopping area and has a hotel within
the area.
Bangsar just outside the city centre - is a popular hangout for
the young and yuppies with some upmarket shops, pubs and places to dine.
Sri Hartamas - is a new place to go for a night out with many
dinners and a shopping mall nearby. Read more at
>>
Hip and happening - The Hartamas Shopping Centre in Kuala
Lumpur is enlivening what was once a quiet residential nook.
One Utama or 1 Utama Shopping centre - a large shopping
mall popular with many from PJ and KL. There are more than 600
shops, supermarkets and a hotel all under one big roof. Check out
for events held here at
1utama.com
Eating out
Kuala Lumpur, at the heart of peninsular Malaysia is a great place of an Asian
food adventure. You will find great Malay, Chinese, Indian and
European food all over the city. Fusion of food also makes it so
easy for you to find your favourite food and to taste food from all
over the world. Visitors will find a
variety of fabulous food at exclusive high end restaurants to
affordable open air restaurants, food courts and street corners. You can get food
popular from other parts of Malaysia, all here - Penang char kueh teow,
Ipoh kueh teow, Kedah Laksa, Nonya food, nasi kandar, Mamak food, Kajang satay,
etc.
What to eat in KL: yong tau foo, nasi kandar, wan tan mee, chicken
rice, Peking duck, satay, nasi lemak, dim sum, and a fusion of
eastern and western food.
Check out Malaysian food
here.
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