Kuala Lumpur

With an estimated population of 6.9 million, it is also a veritable melting pot of nationalities and ethnicities, ranging from Malays, Chinese, Indians, Eurasians, as well as Kadazans, Ibans and other indigenous people from Eastern Malaysia.

K.L. is a beautiful, modern city, complete with 5-star hotels, massive retail outlets and an exhilarating nightlife. In addition to its glamourous city veneer, KL also acts as a centre for cultural activities and the arts. Various art galleries and theatres are situated in the city, allowing for a diverse experience of Malay heritage and culture. In addition, it is also home to the tallest twin towers in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers.

Kuala Lumpur contains various attractions and activities worth looking into. Beautiful mosques such as the Sri Mahamariamman Temple are rich in history and provide a breath taking view into Malaysia's Muslim roots. Other tourist destinations such as the Batu Caves, Aquaria KLCC, The National Science Center, and the Zoo Negara are just a few more of the fun and memorable experiences K.L. has to offer.

In addition, KL is the nation's fashion and retail hub. 66 shopping malls including Suria KLCC, one of Malaysia's most premiere shopping destinations, make KL a shopper's dream. You'll find everything you're looking for, including shops by Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Hermes, Prada, Emporio Armani and much more.

Kuala Lumpur is a city where all your shopping wishes can come true. Whether you are looking for low end or high end goods, Kuala Lumpur is a kaleidoscope of choice for anyone who loves to shop.

Shopping could be considered Malaysia's national sport, and the retailers provide the answers to all demands. Wares from all over the world flood Malaysian marketplaces. Most shopping malls keep their doors open from 10.00am until 10.00pm, and during those hours you can shop till you drop in a welcoming air conditioned atmosphere.

Here's a run-down of the main shopping malls and centers you'll find in the Kuala Lumpur city center, also known as the Golden Triangle:

Avenue K

Can be found opposite of KLCC Suria at Jalan Ampang and offers a wide array of top brands and branded goods.

BB Plaza & Sungei Wang

Two malls attached to each other, catering to the low end market, but tons of fun to shop at. Features hundreds of small and tiny boutiques with lots of nick-knacks: a paradise for bargains. The heart of Jalan Bukit Bintang.

Berjaya Times Square

A huge ten-floor shopping mall. Includes an indoor theme park, theaters, convention center and hotel can be found at Jalan Imbi or at the Imbi Monorail station.

Imbi Plaza

A low-end electronics mall - great deals can be found in this little electrical paradise. Located just behind Sungei Wang at Jalan Imbi.

KLCC Suria

Endless shopping awaits, with floor after floor showing you the most luxury brands Malaysia has to offer. Located inside the Petronas Towers.

Kota Raya

Located in China Town, this low-end mall is absolute worth a visit - many little shops offer a variety of goods nowhere else to be found in the city.

Lot 10

One of the older malls in KL. This mall received a large facelift in 2009, giving it its own atmosphere, and making it a trendsetter and a great shopping arena. Located at Bukit Bintang Monorail station, opposite BB Plaza.

The Mall

Not a very large mall, but a nice place to visit if your hotel is in this part of the city. Located next to The Legends Hotel at Jalan Putra.

Pavilion Shopping Complex

Offers a wide variety of luxury goods - even some high end car dealers have their premises here – and an immense array of food and dining options. Ample evening entertainment can be found here. Located at Jalan Bukit Bintang

Petaling Street

Not a mall but a street with a canopy, found in the center of China Town. Full of vendors, often offering counterfeited goods, but great bargains to be found in this bustling little sphere. Just be careful.

Plaza Low Yat

6 floors of cameras, telephones, PC’s and laptops. If you can’t find it here, you will not be able to find it anywhere. Low Yat is Malaysia’s largest IT and lifestyle Mall, located next to BB Plaza and Sungei Wang.

Kompleks Sogo

More catered towards the lower end of the market, this area is very popular with the Malay and Indian community. Great bargains and lots of local goods, especially fabrics, can be found around Sogo, located at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

Star Hill Gallery

To be found opposite of Pavilion Shopping Complex at Jalan Bukit Bintang, probably the most exclusive shopping mall in the whole of Malaysia, an absolute must visit location. Fine dining with live jazz background music playing every evening of the week. Don’t forget to visit the 50.000 sq feet spa area on the fifth floor. The top floor offers a small exhibition of local artists.

There are more malls to be found in The Golden Triangle which are all an experience by themselves, meandering around to discover new shop locations is a pleasure in itself.

Just outside the city center you will find more gigantic shopping complexes.

Mid Valley Mega Mall with The Gardens right next to it, 1-Utama in Petaling Jaya, The Curve in Damansara, Bangsar Village and Bangsar Shopping Center, Sunway Pyramid and IOI Mall in Sunbang Jaya to list a few.

South East Asia is the place where East meets West, and this is definitely true when it comes to culinary affairs. All cultures unite in kitchens around this region, and Kuala Lumpur is in the center of this dining universe.

Whether you are looking for cheap and inexpensive dishes or in search of fine dining adventures, Kuala Lumpur offers you the best of all worlds. Prices are reasonable for the quality and services offered. Tipping is not practiced in Malaysia.

Malaysia is truly obsessed with food – the culture of the whole nation revolves around food, and you'll never be short on a variety of dishes to sample. Malaysians love to eat outside, either at mamak stalls, food courts or road side hawkers.

Meals

Most Malaysians love to start their day with a high-carb based breakfast, which is mostly taken between 8.00 am and 10.00 am. Favorite dishes include nasi lemak (a form of sticky rice with mild to hot sambal), roti canai (fluffy flat-bread eaten with curry), or Mee Goreng, which is a noodle dish.

Since the entire nation goes for lunch punctually at 1pm, we advise you to avoid this time for lunch, unless you love crowds and waiting in line. Nasi champur (rice with mixed dishes) is definitely a preferred meal.

High tea and a coffee break, taken at 4pm, is part of the working day routine. Most people will consume their beloved Kuih, a variety of sweet or deep fried snacks and wash it down with a Tea-O or Kopi - the local variety of milky tea or coffee.

There's no set time for dinner, so feel free to roam around to find a restaurant which offers something you've never tried before. Malaysians also love supper, a last meal of the day (separate from dinner), eaten around midnight with friends, often at a local kopi tiem (coffee shop).

Street Food

Jalan Alor

When you talk about food in Kuala Lumpur, the first place that comes to most locals' minds is Jalan Alor. Jalan Alor is a bustling market side street off Jalan Bukit Bintang during the day, but a 400 meter long stretch of outdoor food festival during the night. A wide array of local and international dishes can be found here. Sitting at plastic tables and chairs may not sound very romantic but Jalan Alor is an absolute must-do experience in Malaysia. It’s an exciting street with lots of activity and sublime, mouth-watering bites.

China Town, Petaling Street

Smaller in scale than Jalan Alor but definitely worth a visit, a semi open-air food paradise with savory delights from all regions of Mainland China.

Shopping Malls:

Kuala Lumpur has one of the finest selections of restaurants to be found anywhere. All countries and cooking styles from around the globe can be found in the heart of KL. A Middle Eastern influence can be felt, as Malaysia is becoming a more popular travel destination for this region. Fine dining restaurants are spread out all over the Golden Triangle, but the main concentrations can be found at:

Starhill Gallery

The restaurants on the bottom floors of this luxury development offer a welcoming atmosphere. Offering upper-class dining in candle-lit ambiance with soft live jazz music in the background, Starhill Gallery is a great place to unwind in class after a long day.

Pavilion Shopping Complex

More than fifty middle to high-end restaurants can be found at The Pavilion. The upscale food court on the ground floor is a real treat. The Pavilion is a true paradise for your palate, and a fabulous venue to start your day or evening.

KLCC Suria

On all floors of this immense mall located between the Petronas towers, a wide range of restaurants, from fast food and budget eateries to seriously chic establishments can be found.

Berjaya Times Square

In this ten floor shopping arena, restaurants can be found on all floors, the main food court is at the tenth floor, and the main restaurant area at the second and third floor surrounding the entrance of the indoor theme park. Time Square for long and timeless dining.

Outside of downtown KL, fine dining can be found in areas like Ampang, Bangsar, Sri Hartamas, Damansara Utama and Bandar Sunway.

The first time you come to Kuala Lumpur you might find the traffic chaotic, and that observation wouldn't be incorrect: traffic is frantic in KL, and driving its streets by yourself as a newcomer isn't recommended. Your best option is to have someone else transport you around the city or to other destinations, either by bus, monorail, train, or taxi. This won't just be simpler, but will also give you much more time to enjoy and view this magnificent city.

Air Travel

Most people will travel to Malaysia by air, either arriving at KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport), its adjunct LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal) - both located 60 kilometers south of the city center – or at Skypark Subang (Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport), 20 kilometers west of the city center.

From KLIA and LCCT there are a variety of transport options to get to downtown KL. Busses, taxis and the KLIA Express (a non-stop rail line) will all make the trip in less than an hour and are easily accessible from the terminal. From Skypark Subang your only option is by road - taxi is the fastest.

Buses

KL buses are crowded but cheap in the city center. A RM1 or RM2 ticket will last you all day. When you travel outside of Kuala Lumpur a bus is your best option. Inexpensive and fast, you will be transported to your destination from various bus stations: KL Main Bus station Puduraya at Jalan Pudu, Putra Bus Terminal at Jalan Putra, Duta Bus Terminal at Jalan Duta and Pekeliling Bus Terminal. Most operators offer standard or luxury options.

Monorail

The KL Monorail is an intracity public transit system which operates from KL Sentral to Titiwangsa, covering a distance of nearly 9 kilometers. With its 11 stations stopping at major destinations in the city, it is an ideal form of transport for visitors. Note that during rush hour it will likely be a bit crowded.

Taxis

There are abundant and relatively cheap yellow cabs in Kuala Lumpur. Two main systems exist in Kuala Lumpur: vouchers and general pick-up. You buy vouchers at major taxi stands around the city, which have set prices for every destination from the point of departure. Fore general pick-up, your driver should use the meter which should start at RM2. When a taxi does not drive on the meter, find another one, or agree on a price for a ride to your destination beforehand. Sometimes the driver will charge RM2 for luggage. After midnight, bargain for a price before you enter the taxi.

Trains: Local

There are five operators (Monorail, Putra, Star, KLIA express, Komuter KTM) within the Klang Valley. These operators' trains will not necessarily connect at the same location - hopping from one train to the next might take you as much as a 500 meter walk - so be sure to plan ahead.

Trains: National

KL Sentral station offers trains to the southern regions of the Malaysian Peninsula (all the way to Singapore) and to the north (to Kedah and Kelantan, and even crossing into Thailand and on to Bangkok).

Car

Driving in KL can be disorientating as highways are not as clearly laid out as thos in major western cities. Drivers in Malaysia are also quite aggressive: you snooze, you lose, so drive alertly and carefully. Major car rental dealer can be found at airports.

Motorbike

Hundreds of thousands of small motorbikes and scooters swarm Kuala Lumpur. Unless you really have no other option, renting a motorbike within the city is not a recommended option.

Walking

Cars, taxis, motorbikes and busses offer little respect to pedestrians. Stay careful and stay on the pavement.

Traffic jams

Kuala Lumpur is notorious for its early morning and after work traffic jams.

Signage

Destination and directional signs may not be easy for visitors to read, so bring a map.

Nightlife is abundant in Kuala Lumpur and Bukit Bintang is at the heart of it all. Good food, haute cuisine, lively music, dancing or just plain pubs and chill out lounges - it can all be found in the vibrant city center of Kuala Lumpur. Let’s take a tour around Bukit Bintang at night time.

If you are looking for dinner and a great neighborhood to begin your party, Changkat is the place to be. It's just off Jalan Bukit Bintang and close to BB Plaza. Look for the Radius International Hotel cornering Changkat Bukit Bintang and you'll know you're there. It’s a great place to start your evening: the various clubs, bars and restaurants offer a variety of styles of food. Both Western and Eastern styles can be found and prices are fair to moderate. Middle Eastern cuisine has begun to have a huge influence in this part of the city. Additionally, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, German, Moroccan, Lebanese and plain old Fish and Chips are among the favorites in this area. Werner’s Porkielicious Elcerdo, tapas at Pinchoa, pizza at CioCio, grill at Pampas, Indian curries at Sutraa; your taste buds will not get bored while visiting the Changkat.

There are plenty of clubs on Changkat, many of which attract a large expatriate crowd as well as holiday makers, business travelers and local party people. The Envie Pub, The Social and Finnegan’s Irish Pub supply the more contemporary public. Trendy sounds can be heard at Twenty One. Gypsy Bar and The Green Man take you back to the seventies and eighties, and Frangipani caters for gay community. This little row of establishments is upgrading, expanding and welcomes you Monday to Sunday from after work till late.

When you leave Changkat Bukit Bintang and take a little stroll along Jalan Bukit Bintang, in the far distance you can hear the sounds of drumming Latin beats. Passing The Opera and Cligue, walk towards The Pavilion Shopping Mall and turn right at Lecka Lecka lounge bar, where'll you find Q-Ba. The hot and temperamental Latin beats here make you move, whether you want to or not. The large bar and small dance floor offer a great ambiance and hours of hip-shaking enjoyment.

At the Starhill gallery, which is by far the most high-end shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur, on the second floor at the entrance we find Starhill Club M, which maintains its status as the most exclusive club in the whole of KL. When you exit and cross the road toward The Pavilion Shopping Mall, more fine dining and lounges can be found. La Bodega serves wine and tapas, Athena offers a wide variety of Greek dishes, Michelangelo’s restaurant deli and bar provide Italian fine cuisine, and at Carlos Mexican Cantina you can indulge in Mexican styled platters. Pavilion Shopping Mall also hosts one of the largest cinemas in town.

Just outside the mall sits the 5-star Grand Millenium Hotel. Within its premises the Bistro 160 and Pulse Ultra Club can be found.

Outside of the city center there are many areas where the same quality of nightlife can be found: KLCC, Ampang, Bangsar, Sri Hartamas, Sunway Pyramid just to name a few.

Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s focal point of activities. Whether you are looking for action, outdoor or indoor activities or just fun and excitement with the family, Kuala Lumpur offers it all. Plenty of activities can be found within the city center, others will require some travel.

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

A great way to get a quick overview of the city is to take the KL Hop-on Hop-off, glass-roofed double decker bus. While on the bus you'll get a great glimpse of the diverse, contrasting and colorful scenes Kuala Lumpur has to offer. The ride brings you along 44 main attractions of the city.

Central Market

Not so much a mall as a cultural heart of the city with lots of little stalls selling arts and handy crafts: a great place for traditional Asian souvenirs. Situated close to Petaling street at Jalan Hang Kasturi. Read more about Central Market.

Jade Museum

This little museum houses jade pieces from Malaysia and the rest of the world. Jewelery, artifacts, weapons and ornamental carvings are all on display.

Aquaria KLCC

An ocean of discovery, located inside the KL Convention Center, next to the Petronas Towers. This highly interactive attraction focuses on edu-tainment. Learn more about our seas and marine life while walking through the 90 meter aquatic tunnel.

Forestry Research Institute Malaysia

Malaysia’s geographic location features lush rainforests and FRIM offers an up-close look at the forest while still being located in the city center. There's even a tree-top walk as part of the tour.

KL Tower

Reaching 421 meters above sea level, the KL Tower is the highest building on the peninsula. The panorama deck offers an incredible aerial view of the city and is great for orienting yourself on your first visit. The Sri Angkasa restaurant offers the finest local foods with an unbeatable view. Once a year the Tower hosts the spectacular KL Tower Base Jumping Week.

Petronas Twin Towers

Kuala Lumpur is known world-wide for this landmark which dominates the Kuala Lumpur skyline. Suria KLCC, located at the base of the towers, is one of Malaysia’s largest shopping centers. The park behind the towers offers a relaxing walk, with many features and art by local artists. The Malaysian Philharmonic hosts their concerts at the towers, and the sky bridge connecting the two spires offers a wide-angle view of the city.

Batu Caves

These Malasian national landmarks are a must see attraction, attracting hundreds of thousands religious Hindu pilgrims per year. A 272-step staircase leads up to the cathedral-like chambers, where you will feel surrounded by tranquility. Nut vendors will offer you nuts to feed the hundreds of monkeys visiting the site daily.

Petaling Street

The bustling heart of Chinatown teems with vendors offering their wares. Be wary of counterfeiting and be sure to bargain before you buy. Delicious traditional Chinese cuisine can be found all around.

KL Lake Gardens

All within walking distance you'll find The Bird Park, Orchid Garden, Butterfly Park, Deer Park and Hibiscus Garden, making this area a great place to roam around for nature lovers and walking enthusiasts alike. It really takes you away from the big city and daily life, so relax and enjoy nature at its best.

In addition to these main attractions, many more activities can be found in and around the city. Kuala Lumpur will not bore you for a second: there's always something to do right around the corner.