What once was a sleepy Chinese tin-mining village is now a bustling cosmopolitan metropolis with a pounding pulse. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, or simply KL, is a true gem of a city yet to be fully discovered by most mainstream world travelers. To compensate for its brief history (founded only in 1857), Malaysia’s capital city has a wealth of cultures mainly comprised of Chinese, Indian, Eurasian and Malays. Kuala Lumpur is a blend of older colonial and modern architecture and mores, combining Asian and Islamic influences in most aspects of traditional daily life.
Kuala Lumpur’s fervent urban landscape is met by a series of lush and serene parks. For every trait of a modern, vivacious city, such as its electric nightlife and sophisticated museums, there are tranquil things, like Lake Gardens and the natural Batu Caves to balance it out. Bangsar is the restaurant and entertainment district, with trendy fusion eateries and late-night bars and clubs. The Golden Triangle is where the city’s finest hotels and shopping malls are found (check out Bukit Bingtang). Here local and foreign goods are available in every price bracket, but are considerably cheaper than in most American and European cities. Located just north is Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the traditional shopping district and location of the city’s main festivals. Kuala Lumpur is a multi-faceted city that offers an eclectic, strictly Malaysian experience to travelers looking for something a little different.
Though Kuala Lumpur is home to some of the most inexpensive five-star hotels and spas in the world, a serious dose of R&R is not all the city has to offer. The two most popular pastimes of both tourists and locals here are also two of the most essential experiences a traveler can take on while spending time in a foreign country: eating and shopping. From street food stalls and coffee shops, to indoor food courts and high-end restaurants, finding a mouth-watering Malaysian (or Indian, or Chinese or Korean) meal is never a struggle in Kuala Lumpur. Whether in Chinatown, Little India or Kampung Baru, the colorful atmosphere and intoxicating cuisine will only leave you hungry for more.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is the region’s main hub for domestic and international flights. Though located 50 kilometers away in the suburb of Selangor, KLIA is widely used for the city and surrounding areas, serving over 50 different airline carriers. The city has an extensive rail network which includes light rail and monorail transportation. Fares are inexpensive and tickets or Touch ‘n Go cards can be purchased at all major train stations. There are also buses and taxis driving throughout Kuala Lumpur, but while they might seem like an easy choice for transportation, the traffic in the city can become overwhelming. Many parts of the city are quite walkable, with walking tours available as well as easy-to-read street signs and maps.
Characterized as having a humid, tropical climate, Kuala Lumpur weather remains fairly hot all year, with ample amounts of rainfall. With temperatures mostly unchanged throughout the seasons, the city maintains an average high temperature of around 90° F (32.3° C) and low of 74° F (23.2° C). The months of June and July have the least amount of rainfall, leaving the other 10 months with an average 7 to 10 inches of rainfall each month (the worst month being November). Though temperatures can get extremely hot and humid, these two summer months are the best for traveling.
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Astrophysicists tell us that the Big Bang took a particle smaller than an atom and, in a few nanoseconds, created the physical universe out of it. Something like that happened, albeit at a slightly slower speed, in Beijing, where the measurement of growth has gone in the past couple of decades...Read More
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Traders Hotel
Hotel
Traders Hotel is a contemporary and chic hotel located in the center of Kuala Lumpur. Boasting 571 stylishly appointed guestrooms and suites, each featuring modern and crisp décor and accommodations perfect for both the business and leisure traveler. Hotel amenities include a 24 fitness center, rooftop pool with Jacuzzis, sauna, steam bath, spa and meeting and business center. The hotel’s two restaurants offer a choice of elegant or casual dining, serving both Western and Asian fare.(more)
Westin Kuala Lumpur
Hotel
The Westin Kuala Lumpur is a modern yet reasonably priced five star hotel within the Jalan Bukit Bintang section of the city. The 443 rooms and suites offer guests the utmost in luxury and comfort, all equipped with city views, internet access, 24 hour room service, TV and DVD player, in-room safe and climate control. The Westin features a fully equipped gym, business center, wine cellar, outdoor pool and children’s area. There are several on-site restaurants serving international cuisine as well as a deli and grocery store.(more)
Dorsett Regency Hotel
Hotel
Located in the Golden Triangle, the Dorsett Regency Hotel is a short walk away from Kuala Lumpur’s finest shopping, dining and entertainment. The 320 deluxe guestrooms and suites have all been recently refurbished and are equipped with LCD TVs, internet, mini bar, in-room safe and room service. Other hotel facilities include a gym, outdoor pool, sundeck, business and meeting center and banquet hall. The three in-house restaurants sever a variety of cuisine from Italian to Malaysian.(more)
Seri Pacific Hotel
Hotel
This Premier branch of Best Western is a luxurious business class hotel located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The Seri Pacific boasts 560 stylishly appointed rooms which all include climate control, cable TV, separate bath and shower, mini bar, in-room safe and laundry service. Other hotel facilities include an executive business center, wireless broadband connection, outdoor pool, recreation club and gym, tennis courts and spa services. As far as dining options go - from local to international cuisine, the hotel’s five restaurants are sure to please.(more)
Piccolo Hotel
Hotel
The Piccolo Hotel is a contemporary boutique hotel with a range of guestrooms from deluxe singles to large master suites. Each room is warmly styled with an inviting atmosphere and is equipped with satellite TV, climate control, mini bar, in-room safe and 24 hour room service. The Piccolo offers guests a state-of-the-art spa as well a business center. The in-house restaurant serves Italian cuisine in a romantic atmosphere and the Clique Lounge offers cocktails in a trendy bar setting.(more)
Aquaria
Attraction
The Aquaria is Kuala Lumpur’s impressive aquarium that is a perfect place to visit for people of all ages. Beyond the many tanks and exhibits of colorful and exotic fish and marine life, the Aquaria has an education center and several hand-on exhibits. Their newest addition is a fish therapy center where willing participants can put their feet into a tank of tiny Garra rufa fish that nibble away dead skin cells with just a tickle of the toes. The aquarium also features an underwater tunnel to view sharks and a hands-on starfish tank.(more)
Bazaar Baru Market
Attraction
The Bazaar Baru is a lively wet market that sells everything from spices and fresh produce to meat and live seafood. The variety of tropical fruits are astounding and there array of different food sold here will keep you fed on a new meal everyday for months. The market also has vendors who sell toys, clothing and souvenirs. This popular tourist spot in Kuala Lumpur is great to have lunch, pick up a gift or just take a stroll through and enjoy the sensory overload.
Islamic Arts Museum
Attraction
Housing one of the finest collections of Islamic art in the world, the Islamic Arts Museum in Kuala Lumpur has over 7,000 artifacts on display, as well as an exceptional library of Islamic art books. The art ranges from jewelry and paintings to a large scale model of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. The 12 galleries within the museum represent Islamic art from not only the Middle East, but from China, India and Malaysia as well.(more)
Kuala Lumpur Bird Park
Attraction
The Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is a wonderland of tropical birds within the famous Lake Gardens Park. This magnificent aviary houses over 200 species, making up approximately 2,000 birds. The Park is comprised of 21 acres of land which allows for this to be a “free flight” park. Popular birds of the park include flamingoes, ostriches, hornbills, parrots and eagles.(more)
National Planetarium
Attraction
Just a short walk from the Islamic Arts Museum, the National Planetarium is a mosque-like building that houses space galleries, satellites and rockets. Part of the National Space Agency, the planetarium has a museum-like gallery displaying items like space suites and satellite photos. There is also several theatres showing planetary and space films, as well as observatories and replica modules.(more)