Kuala Lumpur
Attractions
Merdeka Square
Site of the proclamation of independence in 1957, the square - formerly known
as Padang - is the centre of National Day celebrations. Surrounding the square
are many buildings of historical interest, including the Royal Selangor Club
where KL's elite meet, the Sultan Abdul Samad building, which is a great example
of the Victorian-Moorish architecture common to Malaysian cities, the National
History Museum and library and the impressive, modern Dayabumi Complex. The
square is in the heart of downtown KL, near the convergence of the Kelang and
Gombak rivers.
Chinatown
KL's Chinatown is a crowded colourful melange of signs, shops, activity and
noise. The central section, Jalan Petaling, is a frantically busy market
that is closed to traffic. It is most spectacular at night, when the combination
of street stalls, food, haggling and bright lights makes impressions on all
five senses. The old buildings - undergoing constant restoration by conservation
groups - are interesting in themselves, while bargain-hunters and collectors
of kitsch might be in luck as well. Chinatown is about 300m (330 yards) south-east
of Merdeka Square.
Lake Gardens
When the bustle gets too much, head to the 'green belt' - 92 hectares (227
acres) of planned parkland less than 1 km (0.6 mi) west of the central city.
The main focus of the park is Tasik Perdana - the Premier Lake - where locals
and visitors cavort on the banks or in little paddle boats. Attractions in
the park can be reached either on-foot, or by regular shuttle buses. If you're
into the birds, Bird Park is an enormous walk-in aviary boasting about 160
species from throughout South-East Asia. If the bees are more your thing,
you might get lucky at the nearby Orchid Garden, where 800 species of flower
vie for your attention. There are also sections of the gardens dedicated
to tame deer and butterflies. From the gardens, you can also see the massive
bronze National Monument, Parliament House and the Planetarium.
Golden Triangle
If all of KL's peace, quiet and culture is getting to you, head to the high-rise-heavy
Golden Triangle: a small city in itself, dominated by the tallest building
in the world, the Petronas Towers. Surrounded on all sides by shopping, commerce
and entertainment outlets, you'll feel like you're in another country altogether.
This area contains all the expensive hotels and restaurants, with nightlife
not for the budget-conscious. Visitors will enjoy the Kuala Lumpur Tower
- the fourth-highest telecommunications tower in the world - with superb
panoramic views on offer from the observation deck. |
