South East Asian Trips

Location - In the center of Selangor state, Malaysia
Climate - Equatorial (Warm and Sunny)
Best Time To Visit - Throughout the year
Attractions - Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC, Dataran Merdeka, Tugu Negara, etc.

Kuala Lumpur In 130 years, Kuala Lumpur has grown from nothing to a modern, bussling city of well over a million people. 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.

Budget hotels and hostels can be found in Chinatown and Jalan Pudu Lama. Mid-range hotels are concentrated in Chinatown and on Jalan Bukit Bintang. The night market in Chinatown is the most interesting place to eat in the evening.

To describe Kuala Lumpur is like opening a book that has various exciting chapters. Yes, this only global city of Malaysia appears blessed with colors of modernism along with rich heritage. Though formally KL spans over an area of 244 sq kms, its plush precincts virtually get bigger to embrace the entire world. Kuala Lumpur is situated at the confluence of Sungai Gombak and Sungai Klang, and probably, that's how it got its name, which literally means 'muddy confluence' in Malay language.

In geographical terms, it is located in the west coast central of Peninsular Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is the seat of the Parliament of Malaysia, which makes it the country's legislative capital. It is one amongst the Federal Territories of Malaysia. In fact, its prime location and primitive significance also make KL the cultural and economic center of the country. Once seen its contemporary set-up, no one can even imagine that this glittering city was region of tin mines hardly 160 years ago.

The best part about this gamma world city is that it has maintained equilibrium between its own culture and modernization. Literally Kuala Lumpur is speckled with offbeat skyscrapers and avant-garde shopping malls. Still it has no shortage of old quaint shop houses which strike a chord of its past. On one hand where you see the world's tallest twin building of the Petronas Twin Towers, you can find its rich Craft Complex on the other hand. Moreover, Kuala Lumpur is acclaimed to be only city in the world which has dense forests in its precincts.

The inhabitants of this city are called KLites who are lovely people belonging to different sects and communities, yet keeping cordial relations with each other. On the travel & tourism chart of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur shines brightly owing to its steaming range of tourist attractions. Being the largest and the most happening city in Malaysia, it houses numerous amazing night clubs, pubs, bars, karaoke lounges, restaurants, etc, to offer each swish amusement to the people. To put concisely, Kuala Lumpur is the majestic access to a fascinating destination.

Location

Kuala Lumpur is situated midway along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, at the confluence of the Klang and Gombek rivers. It is approximately 35 km from the coast and sits at the centre of the Peninsula's extensive and modern transportation network. Kuala Lumpur is easily the largest city in the nation, possessing a population of over one and a half million people drawn from all of Malaysia's many ethnic group

General Attractions

Malaysia Tourist Information Complex (MATIC)

A good place to begin any visit to Kuala Lumpur is the one-stop information centre, which provides a general picture of what the city and Malaysia have to offer. Audio-visual equipment provides background information on each state in the country. You can book a tour, arrange to go on a trishaw ride in the city, change your money, and book air or bus tickets to various destinations in Malaysia. International calls, facsimile and telex services are also offered. For your first taste of Malaysian cuisine, there is a restaurant in the right wing of the building. Cultural performances are held daily.

National Zoo and Aquarium

Thirteen kilometers north-east of Kuala Lumpur is the National Zoo. It contains hundreds of different species of animals, birds, and reptiles. The aquarium has an extensive collection of marine and freshwater species. Both the Zoo and Aquarium are open daily from 9am to 6pm.

Kuala Lumpur Railway Station

Located at Jalan Hishamuddin, this Moorish-style terminal was designed by architect A.B. Hubbock, who also designed the Masjid Jam. Built in 1910, it underwent extensive renovations in 1986. It is equipped with air-conditioned waiting halls, snack kiosks, money changing booths, souvenir shops, restaurants and a tourist information counter. Across the street is the Malayan Railway Administration Building, another fine example of the British colonial adaptation of Moorish architecture. It is linked to the station by an underground thoroughfare.

Central Market

Fifty years ago this site was occupied by a wet market. Today, the art-deco structure of the Central Market is a centre for the display and development of Malaysian culture, arts and crafts. There are many performances, demonstrations, and activities offered here, including batik painting, fortune telling, shadow puppet plays, glass blowing, dance classes, art classes, and many others. The building won the Coronation Architecture Design Award in 1953.

National Library

Located at Jalan Tun Razak. The blue-roofed building was inspired by a tengkolok, the traditional Malay headgear, and songtet, a richly-designed brocade fabric. The library is a very recent addition to Kuala Lumpur, having opened only in 1992. The extensive holdings include a collection of publications on Malaysia by Malaysian authors as well as ancient Malay manuscripts. Open: 1Oam-5pm (Sat-Sun), Closed on Monday.

Petaling Street

The center of Kuala Lumpur's original Chinatown. Petaling Street maintains much of its traditional atmosphere, particularly at night when vendors spread their wares out on the street. While it is possible to purchase anything from gems and incense to toys and t-shirts here, enjoying the night market is really a matter of just wandering about and enjoying its sights, sounds, and energy.

Religious Attractions

Masjid Jame

Located in Jalan Tun Perak, this Moorish mosque rests on the confluence of the Klang and Gombak Rivers, the birth-place of Kuala Lumpur. This is the very spot where the first settlers of Kuala Lumpur built their shacks.

The mosque, which dates from 1908, is the oldest in the city. It was designed by Arthur Benison Hubbock, an architectural assistant in the Public Works and Survey Department, who was intrigued and inspired by the Mogul architecture of India.

National Mosque

The boldly modern National Mosque is located near the railway station, along Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin. Its roof, designed in the shape of an eighteen-pointed star, has the appearance of a partly opened umbrella roof. The mosque was completed in 1965, and it is situated among five acres (13 hectares) of beautiful gardens. Visitors are required to remove their shoes. Special robes are provided if you are not appropriately attired.

Sri Mahamariaman Temple

Built in the late nineteenth century, this is one of the most ornate and elaborate Hindu temples in the country. The detailed decorative scheme for the temple incorporates intricate carvings, gold embellishments, hand-painted motifs and exquisite tiles from Italy and Spain. The Sri Mahamariaman Temple is the departure point for the annual Thaipusam Festival pilgrimage to the Batu Caves, and the temple houses a giant chariot that is used each year to transport a deity in the procession. Located along Jalan Bandar, Kuala Lumpur.

Islamic Centre

Located at Jalan Perdana, facing the National Mosque, is the Islamic Centre (Pusat Islam), a modern building of cubist and Islamic architecture. It is the centre of Islamic learning, art, design, and culture, and houses local and international Islamic exhibits.

Historical Attractions

Dataran Merdeka

The Dataran Merdeka (formerly the Selangor Club Padang) was once the focal point, and cricket green, of the British colonial presence in Malaysia. Like the surviving Dutch buildings in Malacca, the structures edging the Dataran Merdeka are startling testimony to colonial residents' desire to recreate the physical environment of their native land. Situated on one corner of the square is the Selangor Club, which once served as the social centre for British residents. Although its membership today reflects Malaysia's remarkable cultural diversity, the building itself is plucked from the merry old England of the Tudors. Close by is St Mary's Cathedral, a neo-Gothic church more than a hundred years old.

Appropriately enough, it was on the Dataran Merdeka that at 12:01 am on August 31, 1957, the Union Jack was lowered and the Malayan flag hoisted, signaling Malaysia's independence as a nation. A 100-meter flagpole, one of the tallest in the world, marks the spot. Beneath the Dataran Merdeka is the Plaza Putra, an underground food, leisure, and entertainment complex, which houses the Putra Indoor Golf Centre, the first Par-T-Golf in the city.

Sultan Abdul Samad Building

sultan.JPG (12817 bytes)The gleaming copper domes and 130-meter clock tower of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building are by far the most impressive architectural feature of the Dataran Merdeka. This elaborate edifice is a fantastic blend of Moghul, Moorish, Arab, and British neoclassical architecture, a style far more expressive of the British colonial imagination than of Malay culture. Designed by architects Norman and Bidwell, the building took more than two years to build and was completed in 1897. It served initially as the center of British colonial administration in Malaysia. Today, it houses the Judicial Department on one end and Infokraf, a centre for Malaysian handicrafts, on the other.

Carcosa Seri Negara

Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Lake Gardens is Carcosa Seri Negara, a pair of nineteenth-century British colonial mansions. The Carcosa Seri Negara was the residence of the British Governor and British High Commissioners. Today, it has been converted into an exclusive hotel.

Parliament House

Standing on elevated ground commanding a panoramic view of the Lake Gardens is the modern Parliament House. The main building and its adjoining tower block accommodate the two houses of Parliament, a banquet hall, library, various offices and committee rooms. Visitors may view Parliamentary sessions by prior arrangement with the authorities, who will advise on protocol and dress code.

Istana Negara

The official residence of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (The King), located on a hillock at Jalan Istana. The palace is surrounded by green lawns, ponds and trees. On ceremonial occasions, the palace and its grounds are gaily lit-up.

Dayabumi Complex

The massive white modern complex of the famously expensive Dayabumi Complex was designed to blend in with the pervading Moorish and Byzantine atmosphere of the structures that surround it. The complex houses a shopping arcade, City Point, offices and the General Post Office.

Pak Ali's House

Located at the 10 km mark along Jalan Gombak. Designed in a unique blend of Sumatran and Persk architecture, the house was built early in this century by Haji Abbas bin Haji Abu Bakar, a headman of the Gombak village. The house is divided in to five main sections according to the traditional lifestyle of village folks. Open daily: 9am-5pm

Museums And Galleries

National Museum

The National Museum, located atop a hill at Jalan Travers, provides an interesting introduction to the history and culture of Malaysia. Built in the style of a Malay palace, its impressive facade of two large murals depicts scenes of the country's colourful past. The museum houses various galleries, each with its own theme. The Historical Gallery traces the different periods in the history of Peninsular Malaysia. The Cultural Gallery is a collection of various aspects of the Malaysian culture, from common everyday pastimes to important ceremonial customs. Included in the exhibits are a Malay wedding scene, a royal circumcision ceremony, and an presentation on the heritage of the Straits-born Chinese. The Metalwork and Musical Instruments Gallery showcases various objects and utensils from kitchenware and ceremonial ornaments to weapons and traditional instruments of Malaysian music. Other galleries include the National Sports Gallery and the Natural History Gallery. The National Museum also holds regular thematic exhibitions. Visiting hours are from 9am-6pm daily.

Natural Rubber Museum

Located at the Rubber Research Institute's Experimental Station in Sungai Buloh, the Rubber Research Museum traces the history and development of the rubber industry in Malaysia. Visitors get to see what a rubber estate looks like and how it functions.

National Art Gallery

Located at Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin (opposite The Kuala Lumpur Railway Station), the National Art Gallery is housed in a 1932 building which is conserved under the National Heritage Trust. The building was formerly the Majestic Hotel. The art gallery showcases a the works of contemporary artists, and a permanent collection of works of local and foreign origin are also displayed. The National Art Gallery is open from 10am to 6pm daily (closed on Friday from 12:45-2.45 pm) Admission is free.

The National Planetarium

Located atop a hill in the Lake Gardens, this centre for Space Science Studies is indicative of Malaysia's efforts to create a scientifically and technologically-inclined society. It is also a fun way to spend an afternoon. A Space and Sky Movie is screened daily. There is also a working observatory equipped with a 14-inch telescope. The National Planetarium is open from Wednesday to Sunday.

Parks And Gardens

Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens

Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Perdana) dates to the 1880s and is the city's most popular park. Built around an artificial lake, it encompasses 91.6 hectares of undulating greenery interspersed with flowering shrubs, shady trees, exceptional botanical gardens, and other notable features. The Panggung Anniversary, set in a secluded valley, is a regular venue for musical and cultural performances. There is a children's playground, jogging tracks, exercise stations, and rowing boats. Among the notable gardens and places of interest in the Gardens are the following:

The Orchid Garden

They are more thousands of international varieties of the most beautiful flower in the world. The garden contains over 800 species from Malaysia alone. Orchids are for sale on weekends (10am-6pm).

The Hibiscus Garden

A small terraced garden which provides a strikingly colourful panorama of countless varieties of hibiscus.

The Butterfly Park

The Butterfly Park houses some 6,000 butterflies of over 120 species. The park is an imitation of the butterfly's natural habitat. It includes more than 15,000 plants from 100 species that have been used to recreate a Malaysian rainforest atmosphere. There is a nursery and breeding area for the butterflies. Visiting hours are from 9am to 5 pm on weekdays. Admission fees are RM4 for adults and RM2 for children.

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, the largest bird park in South-East Asia, holds thousands of birds representing nearly every major species of this part of the world. Open from 9am - 6pm daily except public holidays.

Malaysian National Monument

Also within the Lake Gardens, one of the world's largest freestanding bronze sculptures. The monument commemorates those who died in Malaysia's struggle against Communist insurgency in the 1950's. Beside the National Monument are the ASEAN Gardens and the Memorial Tun Razak, which houses memorabilia of Malaysia's second Prime Minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.

The Deer Park

Located in the undulating slopes and sprawling valley of the Lake Gardens. Close to the bubbling stream at the edge of the valley are several mousedeer. The mousedeer is the world's smallest hoofed animal and a popular figure in local folklore due to its legendary wit. Open: 9am-5pm (Daily) Admission fees: RM1

Carcosa Seri Negara

Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Lake Gardens is Carcosa Seri Negara, a pair of nineteenth-century British colonial mansions. The Carcosa Seri Negara was the residence of the British Governor and British High Commissioners. Today, it has been converted into an exclusive hotel.

Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, Kuala Lumpur

Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, Kuala Lumpur is the just 20 minutes drive from the city and it is the first international standard water theme park in Malaysia. It is the ideal place to hang out with your entire family; infact the park has all the prerequisites to satisfy each and every member of your family.

The park offers countless rides and unlimited fun. The popular rides include giant waterslides, twin speed slides, a river, a waterfall garden and a lagoon express. The entire park is divided into three sections, Waters of Africa, Wild Wild West and World of Adventure. All the three sections will provide you with breathtaking and adventurous rides. You can also surf in the waters of the park; generally surfing time is 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm and 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm. If you do not have the right props and equipments from then do not worry, you can rent your equipments like Tubes, Boogie Boards, Body Boards, Surf Boards from the park by paying for them.

The amusement park is also home to a number of first-rate food and beverage outlets like Captain Quack Snacks offering you lip smacking Western fast menu that includes burgers and fried chicken, local hawker delights, ice-cream, soft drinks and fresh coconuts, Deli Lagoon which offers varieties of sandwiches, pastries and hawker food, Mrs. Brown's Restaurant offering local as well as international delicacies and Cut Back Café.

Do not forget to check out the retail outlets like Sun 'N' Surf Souvenir Shop, Maverick Trading Post and Off the Wall offering you countless souvenir items and merchandise that includes mementos, T-shirts and other things to take back home.

Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM)

An area once used for mining is now a sprawling forest science park. FRIM contains several experimental plant arboreta as well as extensive reforested areas, which have reverted to the semblance of natural forest conditions. Located in Kepong, km north-west of Kuala Lumpur, the Institute includes jungle trails, waterfalls, a herbarium, a library and a museum. Since it is not a public park, all visitors should forward advanced written application to:

Public Relations Officer
Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM)
Locked Bag 210
Jalan FRI Kepong
52109 Kepong
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-6342633
Fax: 03-6367753