Thu 24th Jul 2008
- Kuala Lumpur Travel Guide & City Information
Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Covering some 243 sq km, it lies approximately 40 km from the coast. Kuala Lumpur -or KL as it is commonly called- lies in a valley surrounded by jagged hills. Kuala Lumpur was originally a mining settlement in the late 1800s where tin was discovered at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers. Although KL's tin trade has eclined since, the prosperity of the city has continued to grow.
Today, KL is the home of 1.5 million people and the political and cultural centre of the nation. Kuala Lumpur leads Malaysia's fast paced development in trade and commerce, banking and finance, manufacturing, transportation, information technology and tourism.
The two sights not to be missed are the twin Petronas Towers. Other interesting sights in KL are the Parliament House, the Jame Mosque, the National Museum, Lake Gardens, the National Monument and the Sultan Abdul Samad government building. One of Malaysias largest Hindu temples can also be found in KL. The Central Market is a huge centre with restaurants and a good place to shop for quality brand-names and handicraft items. If your timing is right visit the Sunday Market (it usually opens from Saturday night until the wee hours of Sunday morning)
Close to downtown is the Bukit Nanas Complex, a natural jungle with footpaths for visitors. The most popular day trip from KL is to the Batu Caves. They are in a short distance north of town and have can be accessed by climbing up 272 stairs.