This metropolis, Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia. Located at the confluence of two rivers, the Sungei Kelang and Sungei Gombak, its name was derived from the muddy banks of these rivers in Malay which means “muddy confluence”. Today, it is mainly called by the acronym “KL”. Since independence, the city has become the magnet of the nation for the people of Malaysia seeking employment and business opportunities. Its inhabitants comprise mostly KL outsiders, giving rise to a phenomenon where the bulk of its people will leave to return to their “kampongs” or village at every festival be it Malay, Chinese or any long public holidays. Suddenly the streets of Kuala Lumpur become “empty” at these times.

KL comprises the old and the new, juxtaposing next to each other. Attractive places to visit in KL include the famous Petronas Towers at KLCC, Acebet99 Malaysia, Sultan Abdul Samad Building in the Heritage Zone, Chinatown in Petaling Street, Central Market, KL Tower, Perdana Botanical Gardens, Parliament Building, Old Agong’s Palace, Bird Park, Thein Hou Temple, Little India in Brickfields, Old Railway Station, National Mosque and Batu Caves. Outside KL, one can visit modern Putrajaya, the administrative capital city: Petaling Jaya, a modern suburb and Shah Alam, the capital of Selangor. Genting Highland Resort is within one hour’s drive from the city. Many taxis and coaches serve the resort from KL.

For food gastronomic centres, visit Jalan Alor in the Golden Triangle to taste the best of local street food which include tasty sea food, satay, char keow teow, etc. Up-market, one can dine at the Gallery and the Ship.

Shopping is a great past time with both locals and tourists as many goods are duty free in this country. The latest in fashions are available in many varieties and not expensive. Many shopping complexes dot the city which includes names like Suria KLCC, Pavilion, Farenheit, Lot 10, Sungai Wang, MidValley, The Mines, Sg Way Pyramid, One Utama, Ikea, Harvey Norman, etc. Shop for your digital and electronic products in the one stop centre in Low Yat Plaza in Jalan Bukit Bintang. For the adventurous, one can shop along the quaint old shop houses in Chinatown and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

Kuala Lumpur is easily accessible from all over the world as many airlines fly into this capital city. There is a railway line running from Singapore passing though KL en-route to Penang Island. Within the city, there are two LRT lines and one Monorail line for intra-city travel. Soon it will be joined by the MRT line in the near future. Taxis and buses serve the city dwellers and tourists. Many elevated highways cover the city roads and rush hour traffic can “tests one’s patients”. For the tourists there is the “Hop In Hop Off” double deck buses to see all the tourist attractive places in the city.