Kuala Lumpur is well known as a melting pot of Southeast Asia where many different races and cultures make the city of Kuala Lumpur a vibrant place to visit. Once a British colony, you see art deco buildings mixed with modern structures making this an interesting city to explore on foot. Due to a multiracial society, choices of food are incredible while different places of worship leave you in awe as they are generally littered throughout the city.
—David Hogan Jr.
Wandering the streets of Kuala Lumpur can mean dipping in and out of an urban present into an ancient past. The city is visually defined by the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, which, at 88 stories high, are the tallest twin buildings in the world and a vision of modern architecture. On the flip side, the Sri Mahamariamman is the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia, its facade a colorful totem pole of iconography. Shopping also switches from gleaming mega-malls to local markets where haggling and handicrafts go hand-in-hand.
History & Culture
The origin of Kuala Lumpur dates to 1857, when a group of 87 Chinese tin miners founded a settlement at what is now the suburb of Ampang. Strategically commanding both river valleys, the community flourished as a tin-collecting centre despite its malaria-infested jungle location. In 1880 Kuala Lumpur superseded Klang (now Kelang) as the state capital, and its rapid growth thereafter has been attributed to Sir Frank Swettenham, British resident after 1882. He initiated construction on the Klang–Kuala Lumpur Railway and encouraged the use of brick and tile in buildings as a precaution against fire and as an aid to better health. The city’s central position led to its choice as capital of the Federated Malay States (1895).
The city was occupied by the Japanese (1942–45) in World War II. Its population greatly increased in the postwar years during a long (1948–60) communist-led guerrilla insurgency, and under a resettlement program new villages were established on the city’s outskirts. Kuala Lumpur became the capital of the independent Federation of Malaya in 1957 and of Malaysia in 1963. Growth continued, spurred by industrial development; the population reached a half million in the mid-1960s and passed one million in the early 1980s. Population growth brought increased congestion, however, which, with Malaysian government offices scattered across the city, hampered administration. Consequently, many of the federal offices were moved to the new city of Putrajaya, about 15 miles (25 km) south of Kuala Lumpur, about the turn of the 21st century. Putrajaya subsequently became the country’s administrative centre, while Kuala Lumpur remained the capital.
Must See Attractions
Changkat Bukit Bintang. When the sun sets, this is the place to explore as you will encounter a myriad of bars, clubs, restaurants and even coffee joints that make up Kuala Lumpur’s unique nightlife.
Batu Caves. The caves are one of the country’s biggest tourist attractions and are a place of pilgrimage for Tamil Hindus. They are named for the Sungai Batu (Batu River), which flows nearby, and are located 7 miles (13 km) north of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.
Petronas Twin Towers. Currently the tallest twin towers in the world and are the national icon of Malaysia. Located in the Kuala Lumpur City Center, there is a huge park, an aquarium and a lifestyle shopping mall located at the foot of the twin towers, likely making this the most visited place in Kuala Lumpur.
Climate
Protected by the Titiwangsa Range in the east and Indonesia’s Sumatra Island in the west, Kuala Lumpur is sheltered from strong winds and has a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification Af), hot, humid and sunny, with abundant rainfall, especially during the northeast monsoon season from October to March
Cuisine
Shaped by centuries of migration and culinary fusion, the Malaysian capital offers an adventurous, multilayered food experience.
—Marco Ferrarese
While guide books recommend Petaling Street and Jalan Alor, a true local food experience would be at the Pudu Food Street (Pudu Wai Sek Kai), a 20 minute walk from the Bukit Bintang area of Kuala Lumpur. Here, true authentic Malaysian street food is still being made traditionally with only locals coming here. It operates daily from 4 p.m. until around midnight.
Money Matters
You’ll need to have MYR to spend in Malaysia. However, generally having a few different payment methods is a good plan. That means that if a merchant won’t accept one, you’ve got a back up. It’s also reassuring to know you have a different way to pay if you were unlucky enough to have a card or some travel cash stolen. The MYR comes in six different banknote denominations: RM100, RM20, RM5, RM50, RM10, and RM1. There are also four denominations of coins: 20 sen, 50 sen, 5 sen, and 10 sen. Here are your key payment options in Malaysia.
1. Debit or credit card
Card payments can be helpful in shops, restaurants and hotels but there will be places where cash is also important.
2. MYR cash
- Cash is widely used in Malaysia, so it’s worth having some with you at all times. You may want to exchange money to MYR before you leave, but it’s also usually convenient to make ATM withdrawals locally once you arrive in Malaysia.
- You’ll usually find you can use a card to make payments in Malaysia, but carrying some cash in MYR is also reassuring. It’s often easier for tipping and making smaller purchases, plus you’ve got a nice backup if your card is ever out of action for some reason.
Tipping
Tipping is a hot topic in many countries and many foreigners wonder what to do in situations where they would normally leave a tip. In general terms, gratuities are not expected but it is welcomed. A tip is seen as a token of appreciation for excellent service. Most restaurants will charge a 10% service charge so, in a way, a gratuity is already included. You can still choose to tip your waiter or waitress as well as bar staff.
If you are staying in a hotel, you can also leave a gratuity to thank the person cleaning your room. The amount to tip really depends on you and how well you think the team did their job. Taxi drivers will also graciously accept a tip and rounding the fare up to the nearest dollar is common practice. You’re not obliged to tip, but if you feel as though you’d like to the locals will graciously accept the money.
Transportation
Moving around in Kuala Lumpur is best done on foot or by using the modern subway and monorail system. A special ‘KL Travel Pass’ is sold at KL Sentral, the main transportation hub of Kuala Lumpur, and this pass allows you to explore the city with ease using multiple types of transportation.
Education
Formal education in Malaysia begins as early as at the age of four (4) years old, which is preschool, however this is not obligatory education. Nevertheless, majority of children below six (6) years of age begin their preschool education formally as preparation to enter the school system. In fact, a significant number of National Schools have set up preschool classes, with priority accorded given to children from families with low income. Preschool education in Malaysia is carried out by a few agencies such as the Ministry of Education (MOE), other public agencies such as Tabika Perpaduan, Tabika KEMAS and preschools under the supervision of state governments such as MAIWP (or Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council) Islamic Kindergarten and JAIS (or Selangor Islamic Religious Department) preschool, as well as private kindergartens.