KL Travel Overview:
Kuala Lumpur, or simply referred to as KL, is the proud capital and largest city of Malaysia, the Truly Asia country.
A veritable meeting place for rivers at the confluence of the Kelang and Gombak, KL is also an inevitable meeting place for images old Colonial and new consumerism, for lifestyles laid-back and fast-paced, and for cultures oriental and occidental.
As one of the most prosperous and most appealing metropolises in Southeast Asia, KL is awash with attractions and destinations of larger-than-life scale.
The high-flying triumphs of the Golden Triangle and KLCC immediately appreciable atop of the Petronas Twin Towers, the exhilarating orgy of kitschy street markets and glitzy mega-malls easily sensible at every turn of Chinatown and the city center, the compelling elegance of colonial mansions and religious sanctuaries irresistibly smiting at the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, the Jamek Mosque and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, plus the fascinating ethnic mix of Chinese, Malaysian and Indian influences and the aromatic feasts of glorious gardens and even better cuisine, all of which intertwined as an integral part of the texture of the "Asian Tiger", result in a far cry from the city's humble origins as a tin mining settlement at the "Muddy Estuary" of the rivers.
Nearby Cities: Kuala lumpur, Malacca, Genting
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What To Do in KL
1. Architectural tours
Colonial Buildings: Merdeka Square (Railway Station and Administration Building, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Royal Selangor Club, St. Mary's Cathedral)
Skyscrapers/...
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1. Architectural tours
Colonial Buildings: Merdeka Square (Railway Station and Administration Building, Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Royal Selangor Club, St. Mary's Cathedral)
Skyscrapers/Observation decks: Petronas Twin Towers (Free admission to the Skybridge, with tickets limited to the first 1200 visitors everyday); Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower (RM20 for entry to the observation deck)
Religious architecture: Sri Mahamariaman Temple (oldest Hindu temple in the country); Friday Mosque (Masjid Jamek); National Mosque (Masjid Negara); Thean Hou Temple
2. Shopping tours
Shopping malls: Suria KLCC (at the base of the Petronas Twin Towers); Mid Valley Megamall (Southeast Asia's largest shopping mall); Lot 10 Shopping Centre; Berjaya Times Squar; Starhill Plaza; Sungei Wang Plaza.
Markets: Central Market (on Jalan Hang Kasturi); Jalan Petaling market; Chow Kit (on Jalan Haji Hussein);
Outlets for handicrafts and batiks: Kompleks Budaya Kraf (on Jalan Conlay); Infokraft (on Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin); Peter How(2 Jl Hang Lekir); Aked Ibu Kota (on Jalan TAR).
3. Cultural tours
Ethnic communities: Chinatown (central section of Petaling Street with temples, night markets, herbal medicine shops, pet shops and hawkers' stands); Little India (saree shops and banana leaf rice restaurants)
Museums and Art Galleries: Islamic Arts Museum; National Museum (Muzim Negara); National Art Gallery (abutting the National Theater and National Library); National Planetarium; Royal Malaysian Police Museum; Royal Malaysian Air Force Museum; Gallery of Indian Art.
4. Parks, Gardens, Zoos
Aquaria KLCC: in KL Convention Center.
Lake Gardens Park, incorporates the KL Bird Park, KL Butterfly House, Hibiscus Garden, Orchid Garden, the National Monument, and Malaysia's Parliament House. Varied opening times and admission fees applied.
Cosmo's World Theme Park: Malaysia's largest indoor theme park, on the 4-9F floors of the Berjaya Times Square mall.
Sunway Lagoon Theme Park: in Petaling Jaya to the west of the city.
National Zoo: in the northern suburbs of the city.
5. Excursions and day trips
Genting Highlands: City of Entertainment 40 minutes from Kuala Lumpur on the Karak Highway, with Genting Theme Park, The First World Plaza, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, Casino de Gentingm, Arena of Stars and several themed hotels.
Batu Caves: limestone caves, sacred Hindu shrine with religious statues and paintings and site of annual Thaipusam festival in Northern suburbs.
Beyond KL: Malacca (historic city 150 km from Kuala Lumpur on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia).
What To Wear in KL
Light and casual summer clothing is suitable all year round, since it's always hot and humid in KL.
To be more specific, khaki shorts, sleeveless T-shirts, sunhat and sport shoes or sandals are a...
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Light and casual summer clothing is suitable all year round, since it's always hot and humid in KL.
To be more specific, khaki shorts, sleeveless T-shirts, sunhat and sport shoes or sandals are appropriate, especially for outdoor activities during daytime like sightseeing and bazaar shopping. A light sweater comes as handy while staying awhile in air-conditioned shopping malls, fine restaurants and office buildings. Neat and formal dressing could be more proper or sometimes strictly observed in fine dining establishments.
Hopefully you do dress yourself neatly in some specific places. Attire covering up head, arms and legs is required in religious sites like mosques and temples. Too skimpy clothing which would get yourself easily harassed is not encouraged in such places as the Chow Kit area and Petaling Street.
What To Eat in KL
1. Malay Food
Nasi Lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk, accompanied with sambal, a chilli paste mixed with salted anchovies);
Satay (skewered pieces of marinated meat served with thick pean...
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1. Malay Food
Nasi Lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk, accompanied with sambal, a chilli paste mixed with salted anchovies);
Satay (skewered pieces of marinated meat served with thick peanut gravy and "ketupat", coconut leaves wrapped cubes of rice cooked in coconut milk);
Roti Jala(fishing-net resembling 'net bread'cooked over hot griddle with a special mould).
2. Chinese Food
Bak Kut The (pork ribs and intestines stewed in a soup of heavy Chinese medical herb ingredients);
Kai Fan or chicken rice (a fragrant dish of rice served with slivers of tender chicken);
Dim sum (a la carte collection of a saucerful of savory items, favorably the roasted pork balls, yam dumplings and fried whole shrimps wrapped in a floury package);
Laksa (rice noodles in a curry-like soup).
3. Indian Food
Roti Canai (Indian pancake eaten with dhal, chicken or fish curry);
Tandoori Chicken (skewered whole spring chickens or chicken quarters smoldered in a steaming hot circular oven);
Mutton Kurma or mutton curry (lamb or mutton cooked in a blend of spices);
nasi beriyani (yellow rice cooked with spices and served with chicken or mutton).
Where To Stay in KL
1.Mandarin Oriental
Tel:603-2179-8888; a recent winner of "Best Business Hotel in Asia Pacific" adjacent to Petronas Twin Towers and the Suria KLCC shopping mall, heavily business-oriented,...
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1.Mandarin Oriental
Tel:603-2179-8888; a recent winner of "Best Business Hotel in Asia Pacific" adjacent to Petronas Twin Towers and the Suria KLCC shopping mall, heavily business-oriented, with well-appointed conference facilities and full secretarial services.
2.Shangri-La Hotel
Tel: 603-2032-2388; 11 Jalan Sultan Ismail. A veritable oasis in the centre of the city created by lush gardens with tumbling water feature, and a whole host of extras like a shopping arcade, tennis courts, a frond-fringed pool, sauna and a fitness center, complementary airport limousine transfers, complimentary drinks, and all day nibbles.
3.JW Marriott
Tel: 603-2175-9000; 183 Jalan Bukit Bintang. Marriott's flagship hotel joined to the Starhill Gallery, with airport-shuttle service, health club, swimming pool and fashionable shopping and dining opportunities complementing as bonus to Marriott's flagship standards of luxuries and services.
4.Carcosa Seri Negara
Tel: 603-2282-1888; Taman Tasik Perdana, Persiaran Mahameru. a pair of restored colonial mansions in a tranquil hilly setting overlooking the Lake Gardens Park, with Victorian verandah through a glorious garden, and a outdoor swimming pool, a sauna, tennis courts, and croquet lawns.
5.Istana Hotel
Tel:603-2141-9988; 73 Jalan Raja Chulan. Luxury Kuala Lumpur hotel with rich Moorish architectural details and privileged central location in the heart of the Golden Triangle.
6.Regent Hotel
Tel: 603-2149-4100; 160 Jalan Bukit Bintang. Landmark hotel with finesse and opulence, along with shopaholics' traffic and action along the Jalan Bukit Bintang shopping strip.
7.Ritz-Carlton
Tel: 603-2142-8000; 168 Jalan Imbi. Adjacent to the upscale Lot 10 Shopping Complex and Starhill Centre at the western edge of the Golden Triangle.
8.Berjaya Times Square Hotel & Convention Center
Tel: 603-2117-8000; 1 Jalan Imbi. Located in the huge Berjaya Times Square shopping complex, with an equally outstanding conference center.
9.Renaissance
Tel: +60-3-21622233; Corner of Jalan Sultan Ismail & Jalan Ampang. Twin hotels of the extravagant Renaissance and the contemporary New World Hotel at the edge of the Golden Triangle, with elegant ballroom and banquet rooms, and an enormous outdoor pool sitting between the two hotel towers.
10. Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603-2717-9822; Jin Sultan Ismail. A former recipient of "Best Business Hotel in Malaysia" boasting perfect services and amenities for business travelers and a string of enhanced dining and recreational facilities for leisure guests' wellness.
How To Go KL
By plane:
All scheduled domestic and international jet flights arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, about 50km to the southwest of KL. Transfer to RM35 one-way KLIA Ekspres or ...
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By plane:
All scheduled domestic and international jet flights arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, about 50km to the southwest of KL. Transfer to RM35 one-way KLIA Ekspres or KLIA Transit train to get to KL Sentral transportation hub from the main terminal, or one of the RM9 one-way shuttle bus, like SkyBus??Aerobus or Star Shuttle, to get to KL Sentral from the LCCT(Low Cost Carrier Terminal). Taxis must be pre-paid in the arrivals area.
Berjaya Air (flights to/from Tioman Island, Pangkor Island, Redang Island, and Ko Samui in Thailand), Malaysia Airlines'"community airline" Firefly, (flights between Penang and KL) arrive at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, or simply Subang Airport, 25 km from central KL. Better take a cab to get to destinations in the city center,
By train:
KTM's intercity trains to/from Kelantan, Pahang, Singapore, Hatyai, and Tumpat arrive at the KL Sentral railway station. Take the Putra LRT or KL Monorail, or RM10 coupon taxi to most destinations in the city center.
By bus:
Long distance express bus services to/from Singapore, Hat Yai in Thailand, and destinations along the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia arrive at several terminals in and near the city centre, including Puduraya near Chinatown, Hentian Putra to the north of the city centre on Jalan Putra and Hentian Duta to the west of the city centre on Jalan Duta.
Plusliner luxury services to/from Penang, Johor Bahru, Singapore, and Hat Yai in Thailand are based at the Kuala Lumpur Old Railway Station.
What to be noted in KL
1. Driving
Driving in KL is infamously problematic, with heavy traffic, poorly-marked road system, aggressive drives and reckless jaywalkers and motorcyclists. Take extra precaution while d...
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1. Driving
Driving in KL is infamously problematic, with heavy traffic, poorly-marked road system, aggressive drives and reckless jaywalkers and motorcyclists. Take extra precaution while driving in the street, or just take a taxi.
2. Taking a taxi
Taxis are plentiful and pretty safe and inexpensive in KL. Flagfall for a standard red and white taxi is RM 2.00 and RM0.10 for each additional 200m after the first 2 km. Flagfall for a bright yellow premium taxi, which is usually found outside of 5 luxury hotels and restaurants, is RM 4.00.
Metered fare is applied to all taxis, confirm with the taxi driver that the meter will be used, or bargain a flat fare in advance. Prepaid coupon is applied to taxis picking up passengers at the KLIA Airport, KL Sentral and Menara KL.
3. Minor crimes
Kuala Lumpur is relatively safe, but pickpockets and bag snatching are not uncommon. So keep an eye on your belongings in crowds. Use common sense and try not to count your money in the open, or keep your valuables, pocketbook, briefcase and handbags unattended.
4. More
Dress neatly when visiting places of worship, which generally require suitable attire that covers arms and legs.
Foreign visitors are required by Malaysian law to carry their passport at all times for spot checks.
