Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, a tour through a vibrant Asian metropolis.  

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital commonly known as "KL", is a multicultural and vibrant, modern city offering some of the best shopping opportunities in South-east Asia. However, it is also a city with a rich multicultural heritage and numerous festivals each year.

The historic heart of Kuala Lumpur is Padang Merdeka

(Independence Square), at Padang Merdeka some colonial style houses still stand. To the south-east lies Chinatown, with its bustling markets.

The modern center of Kuala Lumpur now its the area around the Petronas Twin Tower.

North of Padang Merdeka are the Little India and Chow Kit districts. The modern Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) towards the east is the business

area, and is centered on the awesome 451m-tall Petronas Twin Towers, the tallest twin structures in the world, which make a handy landmark.

Malaysia Airlines flies nonstop from many cities to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), around 50km south of the city in Sepang. Many other airlines offer connecting flights' Emirates www.emirates.com links Europe with Kuala Lumpur via Dubai.

Here are links with Myanmar Yangon. The 28-minute KLIA Ekspres train journey from the airport to KL Sentral railway station (1) costs RM35.

Once here take a Light Rail Transit (LRT) train into the city centre -a one-way fare costs RM1.60. Alternatively, the KLIA Ekspres "VIP Service", costing RM100, includes the train fare, porter service and limousine from KL Sentral to anywhere in the city.

The Malaysian Tourist Information Complex is nearby, at 109 Jalan Ampang (00 60 3 2164 3929' www.tourism. gov.my). It opens daily 9am-6pm. South of KLCC, heading down Jalan Sultan Ismail, the major shopping and entertainment area known as the Golden Triangle is packed with bars, clubs and giant malls.

In the heart of Kuala Lumpurs Golden Triangle,

Number Eight at 8-10 Tengkat Tong Shin (00 60 3 2144 2050' www.numbereight.com. my) is one of the smartest budget options in town, occupying a couple of restored traditional Chinese shophouses. Doubles start from RM95 (pounds 14) while a dorm bed costs RM30 (pounds 4.50), including breakfast. Here is the other Golden Triangle

Another evocative choice is the Heritage Station Hotel, inside the historic Raj-style KL Train Station on Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin (00 60 3 2273 5588' wwwheritagehotel malaysia.com). Most rooms have been given a contemporary makeover, but suites with four- poster beds offer a taste of colonial grandeur. Doubles start at RM98 (pounds 14) and suites are RM178 (pounds 26), including breakfast.

For more comfort, try the Shangri- La Hotel at 11 Jalan Sultan Ismail (bookable through 0870 128 6000' www.shangri- la.com/ kualalumpur) which offers spacious, tastefully furnished rooms and facilities including a pool and tennis courts. Doubles cost from RM565 (pounds 81) including breakfast.

If you are on a lower budget Kuala Lumpur tour or vacation use the Hotel Malaysia in Kuala Lumpurs China Town, that's where the action is, especially at the night market. Prices are around Maylasian Ringit 100,- per night.

For a quick look over historic Kuala Lumpur,

start off outside St Mary's Cathedral and walk south along Padang Merdeka, passing the mock-Tudor Royal Selangor Club and the National History Museum. Cross Jalan Raja Laut and head east along Lebuh Pasar Besar. Turn south down Jalan Hang Kasturi, where you'll find the Central Market, then east on Jalan Cheng Lock. Take a right turn on to Jalan Tun HS Lee to reach the Sri Mahamariamman Hindu temple). Take a left turn on to Jalan Sultan then head south to the frenetic street market on Jalan Petaling.

Lunch ON The Run

Kuala Lumpur is a great place to try all kinds of Asian food, often cheaply. Check out the hawker stalls along Jalan Masjid India for tasty Indian fare, or try the food courts inside the big shopping centres' the one inside the Sungei Wang Plaza (11) offers simple Malay and Chinese dishes.

Window Shopping

Malaysia's biggest shopping mall, Berjaya Times Square, is on Jalan Imbi (00 60 3 2144 9821' www.timessquarekl. com) and houses 1,000 individual shops and an indoor theme park. For more local flavour, head to the art deco Central Market (9) on Jalan Cheng Lock and shop for arts, crafts and antiques.

Kuala Lumpur Window Shopping Batik Dress for Women

Kuala Lumpur Window Shopping Traditional Malay Dress for Women

Kuala Lumpur Window Shopping Batik
and Silk Dress for Women

Kuala Lumpur Bangsar District Thai Restaurant Cuisine Lanna

Kuala Lumpur Bangsar District Vietnamese Restaurant Cuisine

Dining With The Locals
In an old Chinese mansion at 35 Jalan Ampang, The Kapitan's Club (15) (00 60 3 2031 0242) is a perfect place to
sample traditional Nyonya (Straits Chinese) cooking. Excellent night markets abound in Kuala Lumpur.

Chinese Tea House and Restaurant at Kuala Lumpur's China Town

Try Chow Kit Market, off Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, open from around 6pm to 2am daily, which has food stalls selling Malay, Indian and Chinese snacks. A Walk In The Park To the west of the city centre are the Lake Gardens, originally laid out in the 1880s as a peaceful setting for the villas of the governing British elite. Today it's a welcome patch of greenery centered on a large artificial lake, with formal lawns and landscaped gardens. The gardens are open 9am-6pm daily, admission free.

Visit Kuala Lumpur China Town, Kuala Lumpur's China Town is a prime Malaysian tourist destination due to history, nightlife and shopping, especially in the evening Kuala Lumpur's China Town is in full swing, full of attractions each having its own distinct flair.

To go to China Town just take the Kuala Lumpur Monorail, the elevated rail just stops at the edge of Kuala Lumpur's China Town almost in front of a beautiful and exotic Chinese Temple. Chinatown's people went to many racial struggles and there was a continues increase in the Chinese population over centuries and especially during British colonial times. One can find historical marks of this time almost everywhere. But to be honest Penang's China Town is even more attractive.

Located in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown are plenty of restaurants, stores, malls, mostly along the main axis which is Petaling Street.

Cultural Afternoon Take a whirlwind tour through the history and culture of Malaysia at the National Museum (21) on Jalan Damansara (00 60 3 2282 6255' www.museum.gov.my). Intriguing displays include traditional costumes and musical instruments plus exhibitions on the rituals and ceremonies followed by the country's various ethnic groups. Icing On The Cake The fascinating Islamic Arts Museum is housed in a striking modern building on Jalan Lembah Perdana (00 60 3 2274 2020'  www.iamm.org.my).