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.
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.
If you are flying in to KL on an Air Asia flight you may have the opportunity of buying a Tune SIM card on board, if not you can buy one on arrival. We found it had the cheapest rates, and good coverage and costs RM5 including RM5 credit.
At the LCCT (low cost carrier terminal) it is really easy to get money from an ATM, in fact there is even one before you clear customs.
The terminal building houses many shops, restaurants and also offers free wi-fi. Air Asia also have a booking desk and terminals for buying tickets up until 90 minutes before departure.
Getting in to KL is easy. Head out of the terminal, turn left and follow the road around. You will find the Air Asia buses at RM9 (RM6.50 booked on line) each way or a yellow bus company charging RM8 one way or RM14 return. Both these buses take you to KL Sentral with a journey time of approx 1 hour 15 mins.
If you are doing a short overnight stay then Tune Hotel is just a short walk away but book early as the prices keep going up nearer to the date you want to book.
Alternatively go to KL Sentral, with the station behind you turn left and follow the road as it curves away from the building. Directly opposite and on your right you will see My Hotel Sentral where a standard double with air-con etc was on special at RM108, just a little further and to the left is their Brickfields one with rooms at RM98 and this looked to be a quieter option. We hear this is now cheaper than the YMCA.
Still in the Brickfields area and just around the corner from the International Buddhist Temple there is a wonderful restaurant inside the Museum of Fine Arts. Annalakshmi offer a lunch and evening vegetarian buffet and you pay what you wish.
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.
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.
If you are flying in to KL on an Air Asia flight you may have the opportunity of buying a Tune SIM card on board, if not you can buy one on arrival. We found it had the cheapest rates, and good coverage and costs RM5 including RM5 credit.
At the LCCT (low cost carrier terminal) it is really easy to get money from an ATM, in fact there is even one before you clear customs.
The terminal building houses many shops, restaurants and also offers free wi-fi. Air Asia also have a booking desk and terminals for buying tickets up until 90 minutes before departure.
Getting in to KL is easy. Head out of the terminal, turn left and follow the road around. You will find the Air Asia buses at RM9 (RM6.50 booked on line) each way or a yellow bus company charging RM8 one way or RM14 return. Both these buses take you to KL Sentral with a journey time of approx 1 hour 15 mins.
If you are doing a short overnight stay then Tune Hotel is just a short walk away but book early as the prices keep going up nearer to the date you want to book.
Alternatively go to KL Sentral, with the station behind you turn left and follow the road as it curves away from the building. Directly opposite and on your right you will see My Hotel Sentral where a standard double with air-con etc was on special at RM108, just a little further and to the left is their Brickfields one with rooms at RM98 and this looked to be a quieter option. We hear this is now cheaper than the YMCA.
Still in the Brickfields area and just around the corner from the International Buddhist Temple there is a wonderful restaurant inside the Museum of Fine Arts. Annalakshmi offer a lunch and evening vegetarian buffet and you pay what you wish.
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