Kuala Lumpur
INTRO
Its nickname is KL and the translation of its full name sounds like "a muddy estuary". It also has its own motto, "Maju dan makmur", which actually means "Progress and prosperity". It is the one and only city of Kuala Lumpur. Welcome! In Kuala Lumpur, the cosmopolitan heartbeat of Malaysia, the past meets the future for a truly eclectic rendez-vous. The astounding historical and cultural sights intertwine gently with the mushrooming feats of modern architecture to form the unique spirit of the city. Kuala Lumpur, the city of progress and prosperity, looks boldly into the future, resting steadily on its rich past.
City Profile
City: Kuala Lumpur
Country: Malaysia
Area: 243.65 km2
Population: 1.8 mln
Mayor: Abdul Hakim Borhan
Language: Malay
Rating: 9
LOCATION
The cultural, commercial and transportation centre of Malaysia is situated midway along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Its strategic location at the convergence of the Klang and Gombak rivers played an important role for its establishment in the past. Lying approximately 35 km from the coast, today the city is the hub of the Peninsula's extensive and modern transportation network.
TIME TO VISIT
The city of Kuala Lumpur has an equatorial climate, influenced by seasonal monsoons, which mark the two distinct seasons in the country as a whole. The dry season occurs during the southwest monsoon from April to September. The northeast monsoon brings the rainy season, which lasts from mid-November to March. The temperatures all year long are generally high, ranging from 21°C to 32°C so the weather is warm and sunny but with high humidity as well. The most appropriate time for a visit seems to be the period between June and September, which is also abundant in remarkable festivals and cultural events for all tastes.
POPULATION
Kuala Lumpur is one of the three Malaysian Federal Territories and by far the largest city in the country, possessing a population of over one and a half million people. The number of the inhabitants of the metropolitan area is however much bigger, reaching 6.9 million people. The ethnic diversity of the city is featured by representatives of three races, Malays, Chinese and Indians. The official language is Malay but other spoken languages, in which programs are also broadcast, are English, Chinese and Tamil.
DISTRICTS
The city of Kuala Lumpur is not clearly divided into an exact number of districts. There are some zones and districts, distinguished according to the functions they have and the buildings they house. The strict centre of the city is ascribed to the complex of Kuala Lumpur City Centre, where the Golden Triangle is situated. The traditional core of the city is however believed to lie more to the south, where the best-preserved buildings from the period of British colonialism still stand. There are also suburban areas and each of them has something unique to offer. Here are some of the most important areas in the city:
- Kuala Lumpur City Centre is home to the world's two tallest buildings, The Petronas Twin Towers. It contains 750,000 m2 of office space, 140,000 m2 of retail and entertainment facilities, a conference center, a petroleum museum, a hotel, an art gallery and a concert hall. It is therefore a famous business and commercial district.
- Jalan P. Ramlee is a popular clubbing district. It offers a wide range of nightlife opportunities and among the most spectacular clubs are Beach Club, Luna Bar, Rum Jungle, Nouvo, Zouk and Poppy Garden.
- Chinatown and Central Market are famous market areas, where you can find local food and interesting souvenirs. You can also witness local crafts and take a look at the typical for Jalan Petaling in Chinatown hawker stalls.
- Bukit Bintang, named after the street with the same name, is Kuala Lumpur's biggest shopping area. It hosts a myriad of modern shopping malls including Berjaya Times Square, Suria KLCC, Low Yat Plaza and Lot 10.
- Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka) is a special place of historical importance. The independence of Malaysia was proclaimed here in 1957 by the lowering of the Union Jack flag and hoisting of the Malayan flag. In the surroundings you can visit other historical buildings such as Sultan Abdul Samad building, Old City Hall and the Royal Selangor Club.
SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
As a combination of old and new, the city of Kuala Lumpur is ready to offer you a variety of tourist attractions. The different types of sights include historical and religious landmarks, museums and galleries, parks and gardens as well as modern office towers and skyscrapers. There is a little bit for everyone and every taste in this colorful mixture. Help yourselves:
- Petronas Twin Towers are nowadays the symbol of Kuala Lumpur. With their 88 floors, they are the tallest twin towers in the world and the second and third tallest singular towers. They were designed by the Argentinean architect, Cesar Pelli and it took 3 years from 1995 to 1998 for their construction to be completed. More info on how to get there: http://www.suriaklcc.com.my/index.php?module=PetronasTwin
- Lake Gardens are the most popular park in Kuala Lumpur. They date back to 1880's and spread on 91.6 hectares of beautiful greenery around an artificial lake. You can find some of the world's unique flora and fauna here. The Lake Gardens include an Orchid Garden, Hibiscus Garden, Butterfly Park, Deer Park and the largest Bird Park in South-East Asia. More info on admission fees and how to get there: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/kualalumpur/A23684.html
- Sultan Abdul Samad Building is without a doubt the most impressive landmark of Merdeka Square. It served initially as home to the Colonial Secretariat and later became the administrative centre of the Malaysian government. It was designed by the British architects A.C. Norman and A.B Hubback and built in 1848. The architecture, inspired by Islamic and Moorish culture, is reflected in the 40-meter high clock tower, which is a famous meeting place for the celebration of New Year and the National Day. Nowadays the building houses the Judicial Department. More info on admission fees and how to get there: http://southeastasia-travel.blogspot.com/search/label/Southeast%20Asia%20countries
- Batu Caves lie on a hill situated 13km north of the city. It is a sacred place for Hindus in Malaysia since it contains a number of cave temples and statues of Hindu Gods like the 42.7m high statue of Lord Murugan. You can get to the cave after climbing 273 steps. Batu Caves is also the place where millions of Hindus and visitors gather every year to celebrate the spectacular Thaipusam festival. If you go in for rock climbing, there are some spots for you too. More info on admission fees and how to get there: http://sites.virtuoso.com/DestinationGuides/touristattractions/attractions/bac/bac.htm
- The National Palace (Istana Negara) is the official residence of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, the king of Malaysia. It is located on the slope of a hill and gracefully surrounded by lawns, ponds and trees. The palace was originally built by a Chinese millionaire and used by Japanese officers during the Japanese occupation before the independence of Malaysia in 1957. It is not open to the public but tourists can witness the changing of the guards every day from the main gate. More info on how to get there: http://www.malaysianmonarchy.org.my/portal_bi/rk7/rk7.htm
- The National Museum (Muzium Negara) provides a perfect introduction to the history and culture of Malaysia. It houses a variety of galleries such as historical, cultural, metalwork and musical instruments gallery, national sports gallery and a natural history gallery. The themes of the exhibitions thus range from the traditional customs of the native people to the flora and fauna, native to the country. The National Museum is therefore the most appropriate place to begin your visit. More info on admission fees and how to get there: http://www.museum.gov.my/
AIRPORT
A large number of foreign airlines fly in to the city of Kuala Lumpur from various parts of the globe. They use the two international airports in the Malaysian capital.
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is located around 50 km to the southwest of the city centre, in the Sepang district of Selangor. The fastest and cheapest way to get to the centre is via the KLIA Ekspres high-speed train service, which takes only 28 minutes and costs RM 35. You can also use KLIA Transit, which has the same price but is a little bit slower. More info at: http://www.klia.com.my/
- Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport is more commonly known as Subang Airport. It was Malaysia's primary international airport until 1998, when KLIA was officially inaugurated. It is currently used only for chartered and turboprop domestic flights. The airport lies 25 km away from the city centre and the best way to get there seems to be by taxi, which should cost between RM 60 and RM 90. More info at: http://airlines.priceline.com/airlines/kuala-lumpur---subang-international-airport.html
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Kuala Lumpur is served by a comprehensive modern infrastructure of various transportation systems you can rely on.
- The LRT (Light Rail Transit) metro system consists of 3 lines, which meet in the city centre. They are operated by RapidKL, the semicircular KL Monorail, running through the Golden Triangle and KTM Komuter, extending to the northern, southern and western suburbs. Fares RM1.20 - 2.50. There is also a Touch'n'Go card for RM4 that can be used on all lines except the airport express. Daily operating hours are 6 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- City Shuttle buses are a very suitable means of transport for tourists. Their 15 routes cover most major areas in the city centre. They depart from four key places, also served by rail. The fare is RM2 for the whole day, but you can also buy an integrated daily pass for RM7 and ride any RapidKL bus or LRT for as many trips as you wish.
- Taxis are available throughout the city and are metred. There are two types: normal taxis, coloured in red and white and premium taxies, coloured in bright yellow. The first type is less expensive with a fare of RM0.10 for every kilometre (the first 2 km cost RM2). Premium taxis however have a flag fall of RM4 and charge more by kilometer. You will have to pay 50% extra charge for service after midnight and RM1 if you phone for a taxi.
HISTORY
The foundation history of Kuala Lumpur is considered to begin in the middle of the 19th century, when a group of Chinese tin prospectors settled around the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers. This event marked the beginning of the city's development into the main commercial centre. Its rapid growth continued with the arrival of Yap Ah Loy and it wasn't until 1880 that the British moved their administration from Klang to Kuala Lumpur. The British resident of Selangor, Frank Swettenham took charge of the rebuilding and modernization of the city. In 1896 Kuala Lumpur became the capital of the newly formed Federated Malay States. It assumed an even greater role when the Federation of Malaya gained its independence in 1957 and was established to be one of the three Federal Territories in 1974.
CITY LINKS
- Kuala Lumpur City Guide, a local website: http://www.kuala-lumpur-city-guide.com/
- Kuala Lumpur Official Website: http://www.kualalumpur.gov.my/
- Malaysia Tourism Board: http://www.tourism.gov.my/
- Useful tips: http://wikitravel.org/en/Kuala_Lumpur
- Kuala Lumpur Post, a daily newspaper in English: http://www.kualalumpurpost.com/
UNIVERSITY LINKS
- University of Malaya, the oldest university in Malaysia: http://www.um.edu.my/
- Universiti Kuala Lumpur, the primary technical university in Malaysia: http://www.unikl.edu.my/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9&Itemid=31
- International Islamic University Malaysia, a private university, which uses English as a medium of instruction and administration: http://www.iiu.edu.my/