The dynamic gateway to
Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur (KL) has evolved into one of the most exciting metropolises in the world. Here, ethnic Malays, Chinese, Indians and European expats bustle past futuristic skyscrapers and traditional temples, each bringing their own cultural charms to the mix.
Originally founded by Chinese tin miners, KL boomed as a colonial city and it’s in these neighbourhoods that you’ll find many of its best sights. Chinatown is an atmospheric place to wander. A labyrinth of narrow streets lined with shophouses and temples, Chinatown’s main artery is Petaling Street, where you’ll find a great range of restaurants and food stalls, as well as a lively market.
At the heart of KL’s colonial district, Merdeka Square is the place that independence from colonial rule was declared in 1957. The square is surrounded by a number of landmark buildings, including the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, its Mughal design by A.C. Norman and is home to the perfectly manicured cricket green, once the pitch of the Selangor Club, a social club for the British colonial elite. While in the area, browse the close by Central Market, housed in an Art Deco building, for crafts, souvenirs and tasty snacks, and admire the new Merdeka 118, a megatall skyscraper that is the second tallest building in the world.
At the heart of modern KL, you’ll find the city’s most famous attraction, the shimmering Petronas Towers. Ascend the for spectacular views – there’s the skybridge on the 41
st floor and the observation deck on the 86
th. At the foot of the towers, in an area known as the Golden Triangle, you’ll also find Bukit Bintang, home to the city’s best malls, markets, hotels, restaurants and nightlife.
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