Kuala Lumpur - Experience
The Malaysian capital, commonly known simply as “KL”, is a sprawling, noisy and energetic city where gleaming glassy skyscrapers and countless mega-malls rub shoulders with grand colonial edifices and ageing Chinese shops. Many visitors come for business or shopping, but the city also has a rich heritage and vibrant cultural scene worth checking out.
Nobody could miss the awesome Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur’s ultramodern high-rise icon. Delve into Malaysian culture at the National Museum and unique Islamic Arts Museum. Further out of the city centre you’ll find the huge, gaudily decorated Thean Hou Temple.
Buy arts, crafts, batik and souvenirs in Chinatown and head to boisterous Jalan Petaling to bargain for copy watches, cheap clothes and pirated CDs and DVDs. Gigantic shopping malls selling clothes, cameras and electronics can be found all across the city, though some of the best are in the Golden Triangle area.
Escape the city traffic and go boating or just take a walk in the refreshingly green Lake Gardens. If the heat gets too much, seek liquid refreshment in the bars of the Bangsar district, or head to the suburb of Petaling Jaya for a dip in the Sunway Lagoon waterpark.
Catch traditional Malay dance and music shows at the Malaysian Tourist Information Complex. Bangsar and the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre are great for contemporary live music and theatre. Enjoy top-rate classical concerts at the Petronas Philharmonic Hall or the National Theatre, which also stages drama in English. Listen to cool jazz or thumping rock at clubs in the Golden Triangle.
All the cuisines of multicultural Malaysia are offered in Kuala Lumpur. Head to Chinatown for duck and dim sum. Little India is a good choice for tandoori chicken and curries. Try European food in the trendy bars and bistros of Bangsar. Traditional Malay Kedai Kopi (coffee shops) – serving cheap meat and rice dishes – are scattered all over the city. For the best Nyonya (Straits Chinese) cuisine, try Kapitan’s Club on Jalan Ampang.
Get a bird’s-eye view of the city from the 41st floor of the Petronas Twin Towers, or enjoy an even higher vantage point while dining on lobster in the revolving restaurant on top of the KL Tower.
