Kuala Lumpur is the largest as well as the capital city of Malaysia, located halfway along the Peninsular Malaysia’s west coast, at the convergence of the two prominent rivers, the Klang and the Gombek. Occupying an area of about 250 square kilometers, Kuala Lumpur is one of the three federal territories of Malaysia, others being Putrajaya and Labuan.
Kuala Lumpur, or KL as it is fondly known, was a mining settlement during the 1800s. But, the destination now excels in all arenas including trade and commerce, finance and banking, transportation system, and manufacturing processes. In fact, Kula Lumpur has now become a modern thriving city, and serves as the administrative, cultural, and economic center of the nation.
As one of the top tourist destinations of Asia, Kuala Lumpur offers visitors touring the city a plenty of things to see, from towering building, incredible mosques, and beautiful monuments to relaxing parks, spectacular gardens, and interesting museums. Probably the most popular among the attractions is Petronas Twin Tower or the twin towers, which is one of the world’s tallest edifices.
Petronas Tower consists of two towers, both of which are connected at the 41st and 42nd levels by an elegant sky bridge. This architectural splendor is influenced by the Five Pillars of the Islam, and stand out from other buildings in the area. Among the highlights within the towers are Petrosains Discovery Centre and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and an array of shopping malls. Situated on the Bukit Nanas hill is another popular building in the city, namely, KL Tower, which is the world’s tallest concrete tower as well as the fourth tallest telecommunication tower. Climbing atop this 425 meters high tower enables you to get a bird’s eye view of the city.
All of the mosques seen in KL are unique and is noted for its architectural grandeur. One of most prominent mosques in the city is Masjid Jamek, which is the oldest of its kind in Kuala Lumpur. Built in 1909, this amazing mosque is a blend of Moorish and North Indian Islamic architecture. However, the principal mosque in the area is the National Mosque, featuring an umbrella-shaped dome that represent royal patronage and a 75 meters tall minaret that takes after a flower bud.
For those who want to take a peep into the history, heritage, and culture of the region, one of the best ways would be to take a tour to some of the interesting museums in the region such as the National Museum, which exhibits archeological and historical artifacts, and Islamic Arts Museum, with Islamic artifacts that have been collected from across the globe.
A lot number of other options are also available for history buffs, in the form of National Monument, which is built to commemorate the nation’s heroes who sacrificed their lives during the several phases of the nation’s history; Merdeka Square, which is the spot where the Union Jack flag was lowered and the Malaysian flag was hoisted on August 31 1957 depicting the nation’s independence from the British rule; and Old Railway Station, which stands as a fine example of the Moorish architecture. For nature and animal lovers, some of the not to miss attraction are the National Zoo and Aquarium and Lumpur Lake Gardens coupled with Orchid Garden, Hibiscus Garden, Deer Park, and Butterfly Park.
Points of interest in Kuala Lumpur also include the National Planetarium, Malaysia Tourism Centre (MTC), Golden Triangle, and Batu Caves, which is a sacred place of Hindus. In addition, KL is a shopper’s paradise, with an array of shops and boutiques in such areas as Central Market, where you can buy artifacts related to Malaysia’s folk arts; and Petaling Street, which is a great place to shop leather items and perfumes.
No matter you are business traveler, family vacationers, or honeymooners, Kuala Lumpur renders an array of accommodation options in order to ensure your stay at the city memorable as well as enjoyable. Many of the luxury hotels in the area allow you to choose from a number of accommodation choices such as deluxe rooms, executive rooms, and premier studios.
Mostly, the rooms are replete with almost all amenities such as television, tea/coffee making facilities, mini bar, security system, internet access, and much more. Further, majority of the hotels provide a range of facilities including restaurants, fitness center, spa facilities, conference and banquet facilities, and parking facilities. Above all, many of them are within easy access to top attractions in the city.
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and manages 54 hotels under Shangri-La and Traders brands with a rooms inventory of over 27,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.
