FEDERAL TERRITORIES are areas in Malaysia governed by the Federal Government.

1) Kuala Lumpur - Better known as KL, is the capital and largest city in Malaysia (243 sq. kilometers); located inside the state of Selangor.

2) Putrajaya - Federal Administrative Capital located near Kuala Lumpur, West Malaysia.

3) Labuan - Federal Territory on an island in Borneo (92 sq. kilometers)/ East Malaysia.

Welcome to Kuala Lumpur         myMalaysiabooks takes you to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur, the largest city in Malaysia is situated in the central part of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The city of less than 2 million, spreads around the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers.

KUALA LUMPUR

Kuala Lumpur or KL, as it is commonly known, is one of the three Federal Territories of Malaysia and is an enclave within the state of Selangor. KL is in the Klang Valley about 35 km from the coast of the peninsular. It is the transportation hub of the country with the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) nearby and the Plus expressway and railway line cutting through the city linking the North, South and Eastern part of the peninsular. Travel to all states in Malaysia from KL.

     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.

ATTRACTIONS OF KUALA LUMPUR

Where to go and what to do

     KL offers a surprising mix of places to eat and shop, to 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 locals who will shop at air-conditioned shopping malls and in open air bazaars and markets. To go sightseeing and learn about the culture of the place, notable attractions in Kuala Lumpur city centre are:

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 1,453 feet, is one of the world's tallest buildings. Within it, is the KLCC a busy shopping centre with shops, restaurants and Cineplex.

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 

Eye on Malaysia   A 60-metre high structure, similar to the “London Eye”, with 42 gondolas , will be unveiled at the launch of Visit Malaysia Year 2007 on Jan 6 at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa here. Called Eye On Malaysia, it will be there for the whole of next year for tourists to the park to view the Kuala Lumpur skyline.

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.

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.

Other sights in and around KL include the National Planetarium, Orchid Garden, National Monuments, Islamic Centre, etc.

    Other sights in and around KL include the National Planetarium, Orchid Garden, National Monuments, Islamic Centre, etc.

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.  heritagehotelmalaysia.com (Compare hotel rates to 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.

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; tel 03-2162 7533.

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.

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 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.

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 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. This place is also popular with the young crowd who love to hang out at pubs, cafe or coffeshops.

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

MOVING AROUND KUALA LUMPUR

Getting around     The best way to move around the city is to walk or take a taxi. Taxis charge according to meter readings, so be sure the taxi driver uses the meter, it is illegal not to do so. Kuala Lumpur is known for its traffic jams and expensive parking in some buildings, so driving around is not often a good option if you are not familiar with the city. There are also many one-way streets. T he cheapest parking area on weekdays (and non public holiday) is probably at Mid-Valley Megamall - that's where you go to shop and eat. Some parking places can charge as much as RM6 per hour!!

   Many areas of KL are accessible by light rail (LRT) or monorail. (PUTRA - Rapid KL or the   KL Monorail). Though fast, avoiding all the traffic jams , the KL rail system if far from being a convenient network. Some stations may not be connected so you have to take a shuttle bus from one station to another.

   There are buses in the city that you can take but avoid catching the bus during the start and ending hours of a working day or midday lunch break. Buses can be overcrowded.

    Visitors who want to do some sightseeing and shop will find it more convenient to walk and then take a taxis or the LRT for some longer distances. If you are in the area around China Town, Petaling Street or Bukit Bintang (Map of Bukit Bintang Area) , just walk around. Visit the Central Market and China Town area during the day. Bintang Walk is a great place to walk, shop and eat. (Be careful of snatch thieves in these crowded places.

Tourism Centre in KL

If you are in KL and need some maps or tourist information, drop by MTC

• Malaysia Tourism Centre (MTC), 109, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur; Tel : 03- 2163 3664/2164 3929    Fax : 03- 2162 1149;  Office Hours: Monday - Friday : 7.30am - 5.30pm

Eating out

Kuala Lumpur being the centre of 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 creates food you will not taste anywhere else in the world. Visitors will find a variety of fabulous food at exclusive high end restaurants, open air restarants to food courts and street corners. You can get food popular in other parts of Malaysia, all here - Penang char kueh teow, Ipoh kueh teow, Kedah Laksa, Nonya food, Mamak food, Kajang satay, etc. Check out Malaysian Foos here.

WHERE TO STAY IN KL

Hotel accommodation    You will find budget accommodations for backpackers to 6-star hotels in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.  Visitors to KL can stay in a budget hotels right in the centre of city such as in China Town or lodge at boutique hotels adjacent to shopping places such as Bukit Bintang (Map of Bukit Bintang Area). Kuala Lumpur offers tourists ample selection that suit everyone's budget. Best places stay: Bukit Bintang area, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, near or along Jalan Sultan Ismail.

    Check calendar of holidays in Malaysia and where to stay in Malaysia here. Hotel rates are very competitive so be sure to compare hotel rates to get best accommodation in Malaysia before you book.

>> Tips on Booking and Safety tips

GETTING TO KUALA LUMPUR

By Air

KLIA or the Kuala Lumpur International Airport is one of the largest airport in Asia. Many international airlines stops here. From KLIA you can travel to all the international and domestic airports in Malaysia (check our Transport page). If you are on Malaysia Airlines or Air Asia, you will get connecting flights easily and cheaper, and probably get your luggage checked through to any domestic airport in the country. You can check-in at KL Sentral for many flights on Malaysia Airlines.

     For those travelling by rail or air, KL Sentral is the place to check-in or buy your ticket if you are in KL. Passengers on Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia can check in at the city centre and take the ERL - an express train straight to the airport ( www.kliaekspres.com) .

    The cheapest way to get to the aorports, KLIA and LCCT (Low cost carrier terminal),  to and from KL, is by bus. There are many buses shuttling between the airports and the KL Sentral. There is at least on bus per half hour during the day from KL Sentral to the LCCT.

By Rail

The main Railway Station, KL Sentral, is located in the heart of the city. T rains stops at KL Sentral or the main Railway Station. Malayan Railways or KTMB operates intercity express services daily serving several towns. The main rail track cuts the length of the west coast of West Malaysia, from the Malaysia-Thai border at Padang Besar, through Alor Star, Butterworth, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Seremban and Johor Bahru, and ends in Singapore. You can also travel from KL to the east coast of West Malaysia, right up to Tumpat in the state of Kelantan. Be aware that train is a slower option when travelling in the peninsular and there are few services.

By Road

The best option to get out of the city and travel to other parts of peninsular Malaysia is to travel by road.  Roads from Thailand and Singapore link directly to Malaysian roads. The North-South expressway cuts the length of the peninsular and centers at KL. Trunk roads in the peninsular is also linked to KL. There are numerous daily express coaches or buses that operate from KL to all major towns in peninsular Malaysia and to Singapore and Thailand. You can buy tickets at the express bus terminals.

Two Express bus terminals in Kuala Lumpur are: Pudu Raya and Hentian Duta

For more information on transportation go to:

• Travelling to and in Malaysia
• Asia transport
• How to travel from Singapore to Malaysia