Malaysian Surprise

The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is a thriving city of soaring high-rises, bustling urban landscapes, and friendly locals. The site of rapid development over the last 100 years, Kuala Lumpur has an interesting melange of architecture: elegant colonial styles fused with modern steel and glass. Despite all this change, the city has not lost its colour and cultural diversity, and Kuala Lumpur is alive with vibrant night markets and street vendors. Kuala Lumpur means "muddy confluence", as it was formed on the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers. This name serves as an appropriate metaphor even now, as the city has an enticing mix of cross-cultural influences, traditions and cuisine, filled as it is with communities of Chinese, Malays, Indians, Thais, and Indonesians. The city therefore radiates a whirlwind vitality, and brims over with energy and excitement. In other words, Kuala Lumpur does not disappoint, and provides something for everyone, whatever their mood.

Weather:
Spring: March to May 23-32 C
Summer: June to August 24-33 C
Autumn: September to November 23-32 C
Winter: December to February 22-31 C

Shopping:
A shopper's paradise that is known the world over, Kuala Lumpur offers everything from street side trinkets to haute couture, a variety also seen in the city's kaleidoscope of cultures. A must visit is Bintang Walk, in the heart of Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle. Also perfect for people watching, Bintang Walk is filled with many shopping centres, which provide a large range of products and souvenirs. Berjaya Times Square is the largest shopping mall in Malaysia with over 3 and half million square feet dedicated to retail therapy. Apart from more than 1000 shops, Times Square also has the largest indoor theme park in Malaysia. An air-conditioned way to explore Malaysian arts and crafts is at the Central Market, a tourist friendly treasure trove. Local artists also show their artistry with live demonstrations. The world-famous Royal Selangor Pewter products are also sold at Central Market. Another famous shopping area is Petaling Street, in the centre of Kuala Lumpur's original Chinatown. A fantastic spot for bargains, Petaling Street has a traditional atmosphere, and the allure of this night market is in wandering about and enjoying its sights, sounds and energy. Also visit Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jln Bukit Bintang, popular shopping destinations, and Kuala Lumpur's consumer cores.

Must Do:
A city that rewards exploration, Kuala Lumpur excites and intrigues you. There so much on offer here, that the city is best experienced by walking, shopping, and eating your way randomly through it. However, do try to visit the following places, to truly get a slice of the Kuala Lumpur life. Take a look out from Menara KL Tower's viewing deck, a great vantage point from which to get a sense of the city's layout. The panorama as seen from here is better than from the sky-scraping Petronas Twin Towers, as the KL Tower is on Pineapple Hill, in the centre of the city. Also visit the Lake Gardens, an oasis in the middle of the city, which also contains butterfly, deer and bird parks. Also try to visit the colossal Putra Mosque, which leaves both worshippers and non-worshippers in awe, and also the sprawling National Mosque. There are many world class museums in Kuala Lumpur, the best being the National History Museum, the Islamic Arts Museum, and the Maybank Numismatic Museum. Try the roadside stalls and what Malaysians call coffee shops, for some of the best food for in Kuala Lumpur, at great prices. The greatest concentration of these coffee shops and roadside stalls are in Chinatown, Little India, and the Golden Triangle. Malay food is found in Jalan Masjid India, Chow Kit and the Kampung Baru areas in Tuanku Abdul Rahman district. You should also try Mamak stalls and shops, which are food outlets run by Indian Muslims, serving various hot beverages and light snacks. The Golden Triangle is also a must visit, predominantly a shopping and nightlife district, it is also home to the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and the Petronas Twin Towers, once the world's tallest building.

Travel Tools
ISD Code: +60
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) 1 MYR is approximately 13 Indian Rupees (INR)
Time Zone: GMT +8 hours. IST +2:30 hours
Voltage: 220V - 240V

Two thousand meters above sea level, Genting Highlands offers a respite from the hot and humid climes of Kuala Lumpur, which is only 50 km away. Situated amidst a lush green tropical rainforest, a magnificent city is usually shrouded in mist, and resides on a hilltop. Crisp invigorating mountain air complemented by majestic scenery spreads out before your eyes. The city is famous for its efficiently planned infrastructure, and its theme park and casino, which is the only casino in Malaysia. Genting is considered as an ideal getaway location by many Malaysians, and is popular among locals and tourists alike.

Weather:
Spring: March to May 16-23 C
Summer: June to August 17-25 C
Autumn: September to November 16-24 C
Winter: December to February 14-22 C

Must Do:
A city designed as retreat, it is planned to provide the best to vacationers from around the world. It is an entertainment city, and has cinemas, boutiques, restaurants, cafes, food courts, indoor and outdoor theme parks, and a snow park, amongst many other attractions. A tour through the amazing 100 million year old rainforest is essential, you should also try to visit the animal sanctuary. The casino at Genting is the city's biggest attraction, and has been featured in many films produced by Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Hollywood. There are also many concerts, shows, and exhibitions that happen throughout the year. Also try to visit Gohtong Jaya, a small township within the city, named after the founder of Genting, and home to some of the best and cheapest food in Malaysia. In short, there is no shortage of things to do and experience, and a trip to Genting can be a vacation within a vacation.

Travel Tools:
ISD Code: +60
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) 1 MYR is approximately 13 Indian Rupees (INR)
Time Zone: GMT +8 hours. IST +2:30 hours
Voltage: 220V - 240V