Travel Guides: All Countries / Asia / Malaysia / Kuala Lumpur
 |  | Destination Guide : Kuala Lumpur |
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| | | Never mind the beauty, get to the shops |  | Why go on holiday to Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur may not be Asia's most beautiful city, but it certainly qualifies as one of its most exciting. Despite the recent economic meltdown, KL - as everyone calls it - exudes a virile sense of optimism.
What Kuala Lumpur lacks in physical charm, it makes up for with teeming markets, great restaurants and ultra-hip clubs and bars. The collapse of the local currency (the ringgit) also means that KL is now seductively affordable.
Put simply, it's a great place to shop - silk, clothing and electronics are all incredibly cheap. And like New York, KL never sleeps.
How much does it cost?
For a direct flight from London to KL's slick new international airport, expect to pay around £550, although cheaper flights can be found. A five-night package with flights and hotel (room only) is from £559 at time of writing.
You can still find guest house accomodation with air-conditioning and a private bathroom from £10 a night, though luxury hotel prices start from around £45.
When should I go?
Malaysia is hot and humid all year round. Temperatures rarely fall below 20C (68F). You'll come to appreciate the joy of an air-conditioned taxi. With an average humidity of 90%, KL is not a place for harsh exercise: save your energy for your chopsticks.
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| | | Colonial influence | | What should I do when I'm there?
Apart from sightseeing, KL's main attractions are the seductive trilogy of shopping, eating and clubbing.
Any remnants of KL's colonial past?
Like its neighbour Singapore, KL is deeply rooted in the British colonial period. Kuala Lumpur (literally 'muddy confluence') may not have a Raffles Hotel, but it has managed to preserve a fair whack of colonial architecture.
The heart of colonial KL is Merdeka Square - once the site of the city's first cricket ground. Nearby are the Royal Selangor Club, St Mary's Cathedral and the old City Hall (now the Textile Museum).
Further afield is the 1911 train station, a whimsical mixture of colonial and Moorish architecture.
What are the museums like?
The Muzium Negara houses a varied collection on Malaysia's history, economy, arts, crafts, cultures and traditions. Apart from that, most museums are for those with special interests, such as the Textile Museum.
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| | | Food fans, prepare your palates | | Where's good for nightlife?
KL's still-affluent young middle class just love their bars and nightclubs. The centre of this world is Jalan Sultan Ishmail, a precinct of western indulgence known as the Golden Triangle.
Here you'll find sleek Manhattan-style bars, Irish pubs with Guinness and sawdust, pukka gentleman's clubs and the normal swag of pick-up joints. Club Liquid caters for the gay and lesbian set.
What's the food like?
If you thought KL was obsessed by food, you'd be correct. Whole shopping malls are given over to food stalls, while busy streets are closed down each evening to accommodate impromptu food markets.
Apart from the three staple cuisines - Indian, Chinese and Malay - KL also has a fine range of Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese restaurants. Not only is the range of cuisine extraordinary but also prices are minimal.
What should I buy?
Life is a shopping mall in KL. The most seductive of KL's shopping emporiums is at the foot of the Petronas Towers, the world's tallest building.
Here you can find designer labels, local handmade silks, specialist teas in teak caddies and a vast selection of sunglasses. There are about 15 similar malls in KL and myriad street stalls and basement discount houses.
What is there for children to do?
At the weekend, take them for a cooling paddle in a rented rowing boat around the Premier Lake (Taskik Perdana) in the Lake Gardens.
The gardens also contain the enormous walk-in aviary Bird Park, a Deer Park and a Butterfly Park, plus the National Planetarium (closed Monday and Tuesday), which resembles a futuristic mosque.
The National Zoo & Aquarium lies about 13km east of the city. There are elephant rides and other amusements for children.
There is a public swimming pool next to the Chinwoo Stadium.
Tourist office
Tourism Malaysia, 57 Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DU. Tel. 0207 930 7932.
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| | Available rental properties in Kuala Lumpur |
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