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Map of Malaysia
 Back Ground
Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia. Nestled in the Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur is the largest city in Malaysia, also the financial and government center of the nation.
In 130 years, Kuala Lumpur has grown from nothing to a modern, bussling city of well over 5 million people in Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding metro area. Superficially, KL (as it's almost universally known) may appear to be just another modern Asian city of gleaming skyscrapers, but it retains much of the character and local colour that has been so effectively wiped out in other Asian-boom cities such as Singapore. It has plenty of colonial buildings in its centre, a vibrant Chinatown with street vendors and night markets, and a bustling Little India.
When KL does something, it likes to do it big. The twin Petronas Towers skyscrapers - the tallest building in the world - dominate the skyline, while in Merdeka Square stands a 95m (312ft) flagpole. Despite the economic crisis, Kuala Lumpur is currently the site of large-scale development, with work underway on a new US$8 billion city on the southern fringe of the capital as well as an adjoining 'ultra-high-tech multimedia supercorridor'. Before the Asian economic crisis hit in 1997, there were also plans to build the world's longest building, too.
In this page, I will show from the low down of KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport), the gateway to Malaysia to the little street vendor food as where to get the true taste of Malaysia.
Getting Here
KLIA, one of the most modern and largest airport in the SE Asia, boasting the tallest contol tower in the world. Upon arriving to KLIA, you probably will surprise by the lush green, well organized palm oil plantation as you look out of the window. The airport is located some 98km outside of the city center. If you are not flying Malaysian Airlines, Malaysia's national carrier, you most likely ended up in the satelite terminal. Unlike most other airport, it is actually fun to arrive at the satelite terminal. The moment you step of the airplane, you are greeted by tropical rain forest and shops. Yes, it is the theme of the airport: Airport in the forest and forest in the airport. Don't forget to check out one of the candy store and get yourself a Cadbury Old Jamaican Rum and Raisin chocolate before you board the train to bring you to the main terminal. After clearing the customs, the best way to get to the city center is by the ERL (Express Rail Link). The round trip fare for adult is RM65 and RM25 for child under 2. The service starts daily at 5am and ends at 1am with 15min interval between trains. The train takes you to KL Sentral under 30min where you can opt for other local public transportation. Read "Getting Round for more info. Airport taxi ticket is available immediately after the customs before you exit the arrival hall. For more KLIA information, please check out www.KLIA.com.my, the official KLIA site. As for the Express Rail Link, see it at www.kliaekspres.com you will be impressed by the sites.
Getting Around
KL is a sprawling city with pretty confusing road network. Due to the recent growth of the KL Metropolitan area, road is constantly being expand re-route and new roadway is constantly being added to the existing network. If you do not know the city inside out, I recommend that you rely on public transport instead of renting a car in KL, not to mention it is relatively expensive to rent a car. Car rental will cost you at least USD40 and above a day.
Taxi is a great way to get around. It is relatively inexpensive, you are very unlikely to pay over RM10 (Ringgit is the currency unit of M'sia USD1-RM3.8) within the city limit. If you are going to be in the city for a few days, I would recommend you pick a reliable taxi driver after the 1st day and see they are willing to be your driver/guide over the length of your stay. I heard great compliments on this arrangement. Taxi add on a 50% additional charges from midnight to 7am. RM2.00 for the 1st km and 10sen for each subsequent 200 metres. Also, you will be responsible for toll charge if any. Insist that the taxi driver use meter, if not, just get the next one. Radio taxi service (summon in advance) will cost your RM1 extra.
Taxi serving KL area: Teletaxi +603-9131 8080 and Netaxi +603-2283 3811
Light Rails are added to the city in the recent year to ease traffic conggestion. It is not the most well thought-out system in the world. however, once you are familiar to the system, it does carries you wherever you wan to go. There are 3 major system serving the Metro area, they are the PUTRA LRT, Star System and Monorail. Visit each of the sites to get more info.
Bus has never my favourite in any city. They are the thing of yesterday.
Flights is another option for us since the operations of the no-frill airlines of Airasia. You now can get away from KL to other cities like Penang, Langkawi, Kuching, Kuala Terenganu at very little money.
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| Jalan Alor- Food Lover's Paradise |
10 Must-Do
1. Visit KLCC and go up to the Sky Bridge. Ticket lines in long but well worth it. Get there early. When you are done, shop! Over 250 retail outlets. http://www.suriaklcc.com.my/ Checkout the concert schedule at the Petronas Philharmonic Concert Hall. They host world class performances at very affordable price, not to mention the hall is beautiful. see #7
2. Chinatown, visit this bustling street at night. Dress Cool and learn your bargain skill before you go. Many affordable hotel and hostel also locate in this area. For shopping purposes, go at night when it is cooler. During the day, you can explore nearby sites like Indian Temple, Railway Stations, Central Market (The bathroom is extremely cruisy) and National Mosque. (Take STAR light rail to Pudu Bus Terminal or Putra to Pasar Seni)
3. FRIM, The Forest Research Institute of Malaysia. Great hiking trail with canopy walk that is 100 ft above ground and see the rare Crown Shyness: http://www.frim.gov.my/. You probably need to hire a cab to take you out there. Bring food and plenty of fluid.
4. Dinner at Jalan Alor. Try all the local cuisine. Again go at night. Be sure not so sway by the store vendors that pulling you in. Walk around anc check everything out before you pick an area to sit down. Eat where the locals eat! Ask them, they will give you the best recommendation. Most Malaysian understand English well.
5. Central Market (Pasar Seni) used to be a wet produce market. It is now converted into a market where you can find great handicraft and Malaysian Art. Great place to shop for Malaysian Handicraft. Again be sure to bargain. The annex behind the market is "Liquid" one of the popular gay club in KL, opens Thurdays to Saturday only. Be sure you walk over to the architectural stunning Railway Station and the Art Museum nearby.
6. Bangsar at night is like Piccadily Circle in London. Filled with bars, restanrant, clubs and beautiful people. There's even a Irish pub! Take a taxi, don't drive! You will never find parking space: read more
7. Visit Petronas Philharmonic Concert Hall in KLCC and see a show. One of the world best Symphony Hall. Checkout the official site and performance schedule here: http://www.dfpmpo.com/. Also visit the Art Gallery in the Mall as well. 8. Day trip to Genting Resort and Casino. Home to biggest hotel in the world! Yeah, bigger than those in Las Vegas with over 6000 rooms. http://www.genting.com.my
9. Houses of Religion. The National Mosque, the Tian Hou Temple and the Sri Mahanariamman Indian Temple. You can visit the Indian Temple and the Mosque at the same time as they located close together. Take a cab to Tian Hou and it should cost you more than RM20 (USD$6)
10. A morning trip to Batu Cave. If you plan ahead, go during the Thai Pusam celebration. Of course you will need to deal with thousands of indian that pay pilgrimage to the Lord of Muruga: read more
Accommodation
Hotels come in abundance in Kuala Lumpur.
You can find just any name brand in the city from the St. Regis to Holiday Inn. Due to the exchange rate, the hotels in Malaysia is of exceptional values, in fact some of the best in the world. Here are some recommendation when you are in the city.
City center hotels:
The city center hotel gives you close access to the KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Center, a developmet project that includes the world's tallest building Petronas Twin Towers) Personally, I will pick the Mandarin Oriental if I can bear the attitude.
Hard Rock Cafe, Jalan Sultan Ismail shops and night life. New World ($$$), Renaissance ($$$$), Shangri-La and Mandarin Oriental ($$$$$) New World is a bargain for it's location and facilities. It houses one of the largest and cruisiest gym in the city.
Bukit Bintang (Star Hill):
This area is the premier shopping and entertainment center of the city. Close proximity to Jalan Alor (see food section) and Sungai Wang one of the oldest and busiest shopping center in Malayssia. It is not too far from KLCC but is definitely a destination by itself! JW Marriott ($$$$), The Ritz-Carlton ($$$$$), Regent ($$$$$) and Forum Fairlane ($$$) The Regent is definitely the choice in this area. With a underpass to Planet Hollywood and KL Plaza (Tower Records, StarBucks and Coffee Beans) the Regent, a Fourseason's property is where Michelle Yeoh got married the 1st time.
Other area:
Try the Cititel Kuala Lumpur ($$$). Located in the Mid Valley development, cititel offers a nice room with a view and access to the largest gym in Malaysia. The hotel sits a top of a huge shopping mall with a 18 screen cinema and it is close to one of the most exciting night spot, Bangsar.( See food and Party) If you are a backpacker, try some of the smaller hotel in the Chinatown area. Honestly, even a backpacker can afford a 3 star hotel in KL.
$$$$$: $100-$150 $$$$: $80-$99 $$$ Below $80 a nite
Shopping:
I used to say: You'll find anything you want in Malaysia besides Cartier and Tiffany." of course this is no longer true. Shopping in Malaysia is fun. From known international name brand to locally made handicraft, you will find that merchandise are fairly priced, and often a steal due to the exchange rate.
Sungai Wang Plaza:
One of the mall with the busiest foot-traffic. It has been around forever, and one of those mall that any business would like to have a lot there. Most business owner are Chinese in this mall. It is link with B.B. Plaza (Bukit Bintang) and across from Lot10 and with Low Yatt Plaza (Great Place to get pirated VCD, DVD and computer software) behind it.
Anchor Store: Parkson Grand
Features/ Highlights: Best place to shop for funcky fashion and great selections of Electronics! Various cultural shows in the concourse on weekend afternoon.
Across from Sungai Wang Plaza with specialty stores like Guess, Nike etc. If you money to spend, go to the top floor for all designer brand. It is next to KL Plaza and Star Hill as well.
Anchor store: Isetan
Feature/ Highlights: Gourmet Food court and supermarket of Isetan on the lower level. Good people watching sitting at the Delifrance while having cup of cappucino and croissant
KL Plaza
Sandwiched between Lot 10 and Star Hill center. Across with street from The Regent Hotel. (Link with Tunnel) Specialty store like Tower Record, Planet Hollywood, Starbucks coffee and Coffee Bean.
Features/ Highlights: There is a discount clothing store on the ground level at the end of building. You get great bargains (F.O.S.). Good people watching sitting at the Coffee Bean with a Ice-Blended coffee drinks. Very cruisy for the gay men
Adjoining the JW Marriott Hotel (which has a great Shanghainese Restaurant) with many upscale designer store like Farragamo and Prada.
Features/highlights: Shook restaurant offers fine Chinese, Italian, Japanese dinning under one roof. A good bakery on the same level operates by the JW Marriott. The pastry chef used to baked for the Sultan of Brunei. (If he is still there at the Marriott)
Sits on the feet of the Twin Towers. 250 shops in total! You probably find anything you want here. Avoid weekend as it can be SUPER crowded.
Highlights: Great selections of restaurant on top floor. Madam Kwan for local Chinese/nyonya food, Sundanese for Indonesian etc
Anchor: Isetan, Mark and Spencer, Parkson Grand
Features/highlights: Cinemas, outdoor fountain and parks, Concert Hall, Art Gallery, Lots of Parking, Medical Center, Science Center
It is away from the main commercial area. It is a monster which is about 10min taxi ride outside of the Golden Triangle. Fun family shopping mall that has so much to offer! It is a mix use development that includes a hotel Citiel KL and office building. Near Bangsar.
Highlights: Get a good workout at the Sweat Club, the largest gym in Malaysia. 18 screen cineplax with 2 screen devoted to foreign/art-house movies
Anchor: MetroJaya, Jusco
Central Market
Good Place to get Malaysian Handicraft. You may bargain. Close to other attractions like the Railway Stations, High Court, Independance Square, and Chinatown (Petaling Street). Good restaurant for local Malay cuisine.
Features/highlights: Walking distance to other attractions, close to light rail.
A few suggestion for souvenirs from Malaysia
- Batik (Scarf, shirts and different handicrafts)
- Pewter (Selangor Pewter's best) KLCC, StarHill and Central Market
Makan (Eat)
Traveling all over the world, I honestly think Malaysia offer the best food scene around. The diversity of cultures (Indian, Chinese and Malay) truely adds a lot of excitement to the cuisine scene. Not only you will get delicious ethentic cuisine of individual races, over the years, many new cuisines were created due to the mix of these cultures.
There's so much to talk about that I have to devote a separate page for this topics.
Beside KL, there are plenty places worth exploring in Malaysia. With over 80% of our border are coast line, Malaysia offer some of the most stunning beaches in the world. Check them out! Other Useful Sites for Malaysia:
2. Putra LRT and STAR System Map: Bestway to get around in KL
4. Monorail: Limited system servicing KL
7. Airasia: No-frill airline serving Malaysia and soon neighboring countries
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