Visit Malaysia's Capital City Kuala Lumpur
Petronas Towers, Batu Caves, Sultan's Palace
Nov 15, 2009
Located in the province of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur sprang up from a humble tin mining outpost in the 1800s and has become a metropolitan city fused with countless cultures and languages.
Its sleek, new airport resembles an immense moon colony and has quiet super-speed trains housed in its extensive terminals. The federal capital of Malaysia and the primary center for commerce, arts and entertainment, modern Kuala Lumpur still retains the character and culture of its heritage.
The Petronas Towers
The skyline includes the tallest buildings in the world, the twin Petronas Towers. Tours up to the skybridge are free and include a short film about the construction and design of the towers which is based on an Islamic motif. The beautiful tiled interior walls and the spectacular view from the skybridge are definitely worth waiting in line, though the free passes should be picked up early in the day as they are limited.
Next door, the KLCC is a labyrinth of a shopping center rivaling those in London or New York. It has fabulous restaurants, food courts and cafes; with its diverse peoples, any cuisine can be found in KL.
Most of the shops at KLCC are over-priced name brand retailers; for a more authentic cultural shopping experience head to Central Market for local art and handicrafts and the sprawling street markets of Chinatown for bargains.
National Mosque, Islamic Arts Museum, Sultan's Palace
The National Mosque, Jalan Perdana, located across from Kuala Lumpur's historic railway station, has a bright blue rooftop with 18 points each representing the 13 provinces of Malaysia and the five pillars of Islam.
Nearby the Islamic Arts Museum houses artifacts from all over the globe. The museum has a stunning Moroccan theme restaurant perfect for tea or lunch afterward. Also visit the Sultan's palace. Malaysia has 9 sultans; they each take the official throne in Kuala Lumpur for five year terms: a very fair arrangement.
Batu Caves, Templer's Park
North of the city center, over 200 steps lead to the Batu Caves, an ancient Hindu shrine which sits atop a huge limestone outcropping. Nearby is Templer's Park, a green oasis with waterfalls, mountain streams and jungle trails canopied by mature trees. It's a popular place for picnics, photography and hiking.
For more peaceful surroundings, especially if you're traveling with children, it's best to stay in a hotel a short drive away from the grimy city center. Cyberjaya Resort is located close to the cities of Putrajaya and Shah Alam, and has a shuttle bus to the city center. Its comfortable rooms and spa make it an ideal place to begin and end each day in Kuala Lumpur.
Putrajaya, Shah Alam
Putrajaya, one of Malaysia's newest cities, was built to be the administrative capital and has its own sight-seeing destinations. The parliament building is an impressive architectural feat incorporating Malay and Islamic design, such as turquoise Mughal style domes as well as western and contemporary features.
The building and its intricately landscaped gardens are open for guided tours. However, be sure to bring your passport; you'll also need it to tour the Prime Minister's residence; though there isn't much to see.
The fuchsia-domed Putra Mosque is another example of impressive architecture worth visiting. The mosque consists of an immense, elegant prayer hall which can hold 15,000 people, the sahn or courtyard and a library.
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For more information, visit the official tourism site of Malaysia.
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