From its humble beginnings
as a tin mining town in the 1800s, Kuala Lumpur (KL) has
transformed into a vibrant, bustling, cosmopolitan city that is
home to more than seven million people.
With so many direct daily flights from Australian capital
cities, your Malaysian adventure will almost certainly begin and
end in KL. And you'll be very glad it does. In KL you can make the
most of the city's luxe hotels, high-end and boutique shopping and
sumptuous dining options, while soaking up the invigorating
atmosphere.
Five unforgettable experiences in Kuala Lumpur
include:
1) Take in a bird's eye
view of the city:
Whether at day, or illuminated at night, the 88-storey Petronas
Twin Towers is always a major attraction, and they won't
disappoint. If you want to visit the Skybridge, make sure you
arrive early in the morning.
The KL Tower also offers a fantastic bird's eye view over KL,
with an uninterrupted 360 degree view. It is the fourth tallest
telecommunications tower in the world, and is an enduring image in
the KL skyline. A must for visitors to KL.
For more information and how to get there visit: www.petronastwintowers.com.my;
www.menarakl.com.my
2) Shop up a storm around
town:
If you're looking to indulge in a spot of retail therapy on your
next holiday, then Kuala Lumpur is the place for you! Shopping is a
serious pastime in KL - there's every shopping experience
imaginable, from exciting street markets to sophisticated luxury
brand signature stores.
The main shopping district is Bukit Bintang, located in the
Golden Triangle area, which is a 10 minute drive from Kuala Lumpur
City Centre. Here you'll find a mix of high-street and designer
stores, as well as major shopping complexes, such as Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Starhill Gallery, Suria KLCC, and Lot 10 Shopping Centre. These
complexes are home to retailers like Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs, Louis
Vuitton, Topshop, and Tiffany and Co.
Outside of Bukit Bintang, in suburban KL, you'll also find great
shopping malls, including Sunway Pyramid Shopping
Centre, Mid-Valley
Mega-Mall and One Utama
Damansara.
If you're looking to combine a bustling atmosphere, with bargain
shopping buys, head to Petaling St and the nearby Central Market,
which are located in Chinatown.
While great bargains can be found year-round from June to
August, and November to January, two major shopping carnivals run -
the 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival, and the Malaysia Year End
Sale.
3) Journey to the mystical
Batu Caves
If you're looking to head out of the city, a trip to Batu Caves
is a must. Located in Selangor (20 minutes from KL city) Batu Caves
is the site of a Hindu temple and shrine, and attracts thousands of
worshippers and tourists alike.
On arrival you'll be greeted by monkeys seeking peanuts, and
awed by the large statue of the Hindu God Lord Murugan at the
entrance. From here you can climb 272 steps to take in the immense
Cathedral Caves 100 metre-high ceiling, and the stunning skyline
view of KL.
For more information visit: www.tourism.gov.my
How to get there: Batu Caves is accessible by car or
taxi as it is situated beside the main highway of MRR2 in Batu
Caves area. There is also the KTM Komuter train service from KL
Sentral to Batu Caves.
4) Dine out on KL's
delicious cuisine
When it's time to eat, you'll find that Malaysians take their
food very seriously. That's why the dining options in KL are
nothing short of spectacular.
If you're looking for an authentic Malaysian dining experience,
make sure you try out some of Kuala Lumpur's famed hawker food. Top
picks include Jalan Alor, which is located in the Golden Triangle
district; the nearby Pudu Markets in Pudu; or Lorong Tuanku Abdul
Rahman in Little India, which is located close to the Masjid Jamek
LRT station.
For a taste of fine dining try acclaimed restaurants like Neo Tamarind,
Restaurant Lafite, Restoran
Rebung, Lai Po
Heen, or for a range of tasty eateries head to Feast
Village at Starhill Gallery. As the perfect complement to your
high-end dinner, make sure you finish your evening off with a
cocktail at one of Malaysia's stunning rooftop bars, like Skybar at Traders, or View Rooftop Bar.
If you're looking to take home the ultimate gourmet souvenir,
you can also try one of the many cooking classes available in KL,
where you can pick up tips on the techniques, ingredients and
produce that make up Malaysian cuisine. Top picks include Lazat Cooking
Class and Bayan
Indah.
5) Take a stroll around the
beautiful Lake Gardens
Lake Gardens is perfect for both locals and travellers who are
looking for a little tranquillity in the middle of the city. The
oldest and most popular park in Kuala Lumpur, today its landscaped
hills and beautiful trails provide the perfect escape for city
dwellers.
The main attraction is the lake surrounded by lush greenery, but
many travellers are also found roaming through the aviaries at the
Bird Park, Butterfly Park, Deer Park, or gorgeous Orchid
Garden.
For more information visit: www.tourism.gov.my
How to get there: Entry to the Lake Gardens is
available through Jalan Parliament, and the park is open daily
between 9am-6pm. Admission to the park is free.
Best time to visit: Kuala Lumpur is a temperate city,
and the year-round climate is consistent - making this a great
destination to visit year-round
For more information on Kuala Lumpur go to: www.tourism.gov.my or
download the Kuala Lumpur information pack.