KUALA LUMPUR
Area: Malaysia


Location:
About two-thirds of the way down Malaysia's mainland peninsula, 20 miles in from the W coast. Approximately 250 miles NW of Singapore and 240 miles S of Penang. 44 miles from Kuala Lumpur International Airport; 17 miles from Subang Airport (domestic flights only).

Telephone code from UK:
60 3

Website:
http://www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my

Position:
Astride two rivers, which helped to give the city its name (Kuala Lumpur means muddy waters). To the NE lie the Genting Highlands, covered with jungle and tea plantations.

Description:
Malaysia's dynamic federal capital is the country's cultural and corporate centre, as well as one of SE Asia's powerhouses. Its success and affluence is clearly evident in the rash of modern high-rise architecture, especially the dramatic Petronas Twin Towers (tallest buildings in the world) and KL Tower (the world's fourth tallest). Glamorous air-conditioned shopping centres contrast starkly with numerous colonial mansions, palaces, mosques, temples and plenty of suburban shambles. The area around Jalan Bukit Bintang and the S part of Jalan Sultan Ismail have a concentration of hotels, shopping centres and restaurants. Despite having broad, modern, multilane avenues, traffic is often appalling during peak times. The city doesn't make for enjoyable walking, as pavements are often dug up and it can take 5 minutes to cross a road. Sights are spread out, which makes independent sightseeing an interesting adventure.

Suitability:
A broad spectrum of international tourists and corporate and diplomatic visitors. This is Malaysia's most sophisticated city, with a wealth of entertainments and services to suit most tastes, though not another Bangkok!

Accommodation:
A wide range of fine, first-class yet affordable city-centre high-rises, tourist hotels, serviced apartments and budget hostels catering for all pockets. Most of the principal city-centre properties have state-of-the-art convention and business facilities in addition to leisure amenities. Location is an important consideration, as traffic is bad and sights are spread out, so check before booking.

Shopping:
A shopper's paradise, with many goods (excluding cosmetics) far cheaper than the UK. A plethora of fine air-conditioned malls and plazas brimming with high fashion, designer goods, jewellery and an abundance of remarkably cheap electronic products. Many hotels have their own boutiques and arcades. Plenty of cheap "genuine copy" watches and wallets, computer software and computer games. Touristy Central Market for local arts and crafts. Royal Selangor pewter.

Entertainments:
Daytime: all manner of attractions, including the National Museum, King's residence (Istana Negara) and Merdeka Square (independence square). Various interesting self-guided Heritage Trails. City tours. Petronas Twin Towers for views from the sky bridge. Lake Gardens for bird park, butterfly park, National Monument. Upmarket shopping. Malaysian Formula 1 Grand Prix (March). Nightlife: as lively and diverse as any major city. Evening cultural shows. Chinatown's busy night market. Plenty of bars, karaoke lounges, a few sophisticated nightclubs and discos. Many of the larger hotels provide their own facilities.

Eating:
Everything from familiar international fast food to teeming streets lined with Chinese, Indian, Malay, Thai and Japanese restaurants, coffee shops and roadside stalls. Plenty of contemporary upmarket restaurants in hotels. Bintang Walk lined with pavement cafes and restaurants and part of Jalan P Ramlee has numerous bars and restaurants. Prices are good value.

Public-transport:
Not particularly tourist-friendly. The efficient (and cool) Light Rail Transit (LRT) monorail system is very modern and cost-effective, but lines are private, so tickets cannot be bought from start to finish of journey if it involves changing lines. Only a few stations are near tourist sights and hotels. A train service connects the airport with the city. Travel cards are good value. Plenty of buses, although it's difficult to find information on routes. Cheap air-conditioned taxis. Car hire available (although driving in the city is a lesson in terror!).

Local-excursions:
Half day: Batu caves (Hindu temple inside limestone caves); Royal Selangor pewter factory. Full day: attractive town of Malacca (old trading port for Dutch, Portuguese and British); Genting Highlands entertainment resort (with large casino and theme park); elephant sanctuary. Two days: Cameron Highlands for tea plantations; Taman Negara (national park) for jungle trekking and river trips.