Kuala Lumpur

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Twin Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur

Introducing Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur – KL to its friends – is more than just a capital city: it is a monument to Malaysian ingenuity and determination. From humble beginnings as a tin-mining shanty town, KL has evolved into a 21st-century metropolis, dominated by the tallest skyscrapers in Southeast Asia and flush with the proceeds of international trade and commerce. Over the years, KL has faced its share of challenges but nothing has succeeded in suppressing the determination of locals to make KL, and Malaysia, a leader among Asian tiger economies.

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The marketing slogan for the Malaysian tourist board is ‘truly Asia’ and nowhere is this more true than in the capital. KL is every inch the Asian cyber-city: historic temples and mosques rub shoulders with space-age towers and shopping malls; traders’ stalls are piled high with pungent durians and counterfeit DVDs; and locals sip cappuccino in wi-fi–enabled coffee hops or feast at bustling streetside hawker stalls serving food from across the continent.

The most striking thing about KL from a visitor’s perspective is its remarkable cultural diversity. Ethnic Malays, Chinese prospectors, Indian migrants and British colonials all helped carve the city out of the virgin jungle, and each group has left its indelible mark on the capital. Eating, shopping and nightlife are undeniable highlights of any visit to KL, but don’t restrict yourself to the city – there are numerous parks and monuments dotted around KL that make easy day trips for a break from the hustle and bustle.

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Last updated: Jan 19, 2012

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Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. seanstheking avatar
    Lazy Malaysia

    by seanstheking 14 September 2011

    Hello everyone. I'm in the middle of planing a trip around south east asia. I have roughly 5000 euro and I'm hoping to make it last for…
  2. westwood avatar
    RE: Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi

    by westwood 14 September 2011

    In KL, get a pass for the hop on hop off bus that does a circuit of KL stopping for people to get on and off at various attractions.…
  3. hifrmraj avatar
    Re: Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi Island by train and ferry

    by hifrmraj 14 September 2011

    Hi...going to Langkawi on Jan 2012. can u suggest names of hotels in Cenang beach within 100 ringit per night for dbl accomodation along…

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