KUALA LUMPUR |
A compelling metropolis where old meets new |
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Once little more than mud and marsh , KL , as it ’ s fondly known , is a fast-rising city effortlessly blending old-world temples , intricate mosques and a colonial past with space-age towers and mega malls . Delightfully compact , it is best explored on foot or via the extensive and excellent public transport network . KL ’ s historic core centres around Merdeka Square ( Independence Square ), which marks the place where the Malaysian flag was first hoisted after independence from British rule in 1957 . It is ringed by handsome colonialera buildings , including the Royal Selangor Club and Sultan Abdul Samad Building while to the west of the square , is the picturesque Perdana Botanical Garden , an ideal spot for some respite away from the hustle and bustle . Other notable buildings include the imposing Old Railway Station and the highly revered Jamek Mosque with its soaring minarets and onion-shaped domes . KL ’ s so-called Golden Triangle comprises Bukit Bintang , Kuala Lumpur City Centre ( KLCC ) and Chinatown . It ’ s in modern KLCC where you can ’ t help but notice the iconic Petronas Twin Towers which soar 88 storeys . Get a bird ’ s eye view of the city from the 41st and 42nd floors of the Sky Bridge linking the two towers or , for ultimate city vistas with the Petronas Twin Towers , hotfoot it to the higher observation deck of the Menara KL Tower . Swanky Bukit Bintang is chock-a-block with shopping malls , boutiques , trendy cafés , restaurants and nightspots . There ’ s more high end fashion in the KLCC or at Berjaya Times Square , while Petaling Street in colourful Chinatown is a bargain-hunter ’ s paradise , particularly at the lively night market . Food is without a doubt a highlight of any visit to KL , with so many opportunities to feast on diverse local and international cuisine . Expect everything from award-winning gourmet restaurants with global menus , to chic bistros and traditional street stalls that tempt with a choice of inexpensive dishes . Top off your KL stay with a drink at a rooftop bar and absorb the view of illuminated minarets and skyscrapers as they loom over the glowing city . |
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Jamek Mosque |
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Kampong Bahru Sunday Market
Petronas Twin Towers
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Getting there : Non-stop flights from the UK to Kuala Lumpur take about 13 hours .
Best time to go : Kuala Lumpur has a tropical climate with consistently high temperatures in the 30s , making it a year-round destination . The wettest weather is usually February to May and September to December when sudden thunderstorms or downpours may occur .
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