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Jan

10

Kuala Lumpur Holiday & Sightseeing Guide

Filed Under Malaysia

A trip to Kuala Lumpur

Located on the Kelang and Gombak rivers, Kuala Lumpur is a bustling, modern metropolis with a truly multicultural ambience. KL, as it is generally known, is home to large Chinese and Indian communities which present their influences in the city’s fascinating architectural monuments, colourful festivals, markets and cuisines. Some late 1800s buildings are remainders of the British colonial past and contrast the sparkling skyscrapers in the business district. Kuala Lumpur’s international airport welcomes visitors from all over the world who will perceive a tolerant and civilised atmosphere in spite of the city’s evident ethnic diversity.

Flights to Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is one of Asia’s most important air terminals and a major gateway into the country. It serves flights to and from a vast array of international and domestic destinations and boasts high-tech facilities and inter-terminal shuttle service links. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Kuala Lumpur try Ebookers. Although located approximately 80kms from the city centre, it offers brilliant transport links and can be reached by the speedy KLIA Ekspres in less than 30 minutes. Other options include taking the KL Transit train (35 minutes), an airport coach (1 hour) or a taxi.

Kuala Lumpur’s local transport system is extensive and consists of three different rail services, in particular the frequent Light Rail service (LRT) which is the most common way to explore the city. What cannot be accessed by train, can be easily reached by the plentiful buses or taxis.

Kuala Lumpur

Sightseeing in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur presents visitors an abundance of attractions, above all the city’s world famous Petronas Towers which provide stunning vistas from the 41st floor. The close-by Lake Gardens district is filled with sightseeing highlights such as the lovely Tasik Perdana lake. Lively Chinatown and Little India are great areas for exploring and feature a large variety of temples and museums.

Another popular place of interest is Merdeka Square in the centre of downtown KL where the country’s independence was proclaimed in 1957. Masjid Jamek is the city’s most imposing mosque placed amid a peaceful setting of palm trees. Further tourist attractions include Bird Park, one of Malaysia’s largest aviaries and Taman Orkid, KL’s magnificent orchid garden.

Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Due to the city’s multiculturalism, visitors to KL can sample excellent cuisine from several different countries without having to travel anywhere. The various foods on offer comprise Malay, Chinese, Indian, Thai and Indonesian and can be found in Chinatown, Little India and at Petaling Market. International cuisine is readily available around Bangsar and in the large shopping malls and includes Mexican, American, Japanese, Italian and French.

Lovers of classical music should not miss a concert by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra at the Petronas Towers, while the Actors Studio presents also contemporary performances of music, comedies and dance, some in English. Central Market hosts frequent open-air musical happenings.

KL has plenty of exciting nightlife entertainment options to offer such as innumerable bars flanking Jl Sultan Ismail as well as plenty of the city’s most popular nightclubs in the same district.

Fun by day – shopping and activities
A great number of visitors come to KL for the marvellous shopping opportunities, particularly at the big malls in the city centre such as Sungei Wang Plaza and Lot 10, or the more exclusive Suria KLCC. The chief food and clothing market is Petaling, while artworks and handicrafts can be acquired at Central Market.

Daytrips
The best-liked daytrip is unquestionably a tour to the huge limestone Batu Caves, situated eight miles north of Kuala Lumpur, where you climb up 272 steps before you reach the vast main cavern or Temple Cave. The caves contain numerous statues of Hindu gods and are also home to hordes of monkeys. Between mid-January and mid-February, this location hosts the notorious and masochistic Hindu festival of Taipusam.

A different itinerary is a 45-minute bus ride from the city centre to a cable car station from where you continue your journey to the Genting Highlands resort. Referred to as the ‘City of Entertainment’, this destination features a family-orientated theme park, live performances, a golf course and Malaysia’s only licensed casino.

Another daytrip takes you to the Government Administrative Centre of Putrajaya, 15.5 miles south of the city. This city is a leader in architectural design throughout the globe and boasts mind-boggling luxury. Highlights include the Prime Minister’s residence and office, the eye-catching mosque and some marvellous parks and bridges. The Mines Shopping Centre is sited on an abandoned mine that has filled with water and created a huge lake.

Must-see attractions
One of Kuala Lumpur’s major draws is the National Mosque at Jalan Sulstan Hishamuddin. Completed in 1965 and enclosed by lovely gardens, it is considered one of the country’s most excellent pieces of modern Islamic structural design. The Grand Hall has space for 8,000 worshippers, and there is an imposing 240 foot high minaret.

A further landmark is the 1,381 feet Kuala Lumpur Tower, which is said to be the highest in the country and the fourth highest on the planet. From its observation platform or the revolving restaurant, visitors are provided with a spectacular panorama of the Klang Valley. The tower operates as a broadcast station for radio, television and telecommunications.

Those in need of a break from walking through this metropolis may pay a visit to Kuala Lumpur’s zoo, sited at Jalan Hulu Kelang. This oasis amid concrete structures is home to around 400 species, above all the Sumatran tiger, orang-utans and gibbons. Also placed on the grounds of the zoo is the appealing Tunku Abdul Rahman Aquarium.

Best time to go
The weather in Kuala Lumpur varies very little, since the city is situated close to the equator. The average temperatures hover around 36°C during the daytime and at night around 18°C. The amount of rainfall fluctuates through the year, with the periods between February and May and between September and November getting more precipitation than the rest of the year. During the winter in the Northern Hemisphere, KL seems to be most frequented as vacationers try to escape the cold.

Rainy day suggestions
Kuala Lumpur presents its visitors a variety of indoor attractions in case the weather turns wet. There are plentiful museums in the city such as the remarkable Islamic Art Museum, the Kuala Lumpur Textile Museum and the Batik Malaysia Craft Museum. The National Science Centre offers another great experience for the entire family.

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