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Kuala Lumpur Attractions
Kuala Lumpur or KL, as the locals like it, is Malaysia’s capital and her largest city. From the city’s central business district, the conurbation spreads out to include developing suburbs in the ‘greater KL’ area, which is also known as the Klang Valley. As many as 1.6 million people comprising of indigenous Malays, Chinese and Indians call KL home. This showcase of the multicultural and multilingual Malaysian life is also a place where tradition and modernity stand next to each other and herald the cosmopolitan nature of the city.
Modern Buildings
PETRONAS Twin Towers
Holding the record from 1996 to 2003 as the tallest twin tower building in the world, the PETRONAS Twin Towers is the pride of the nation. Standing majestically amidst the KL skyline in the heart of the city, the 88-storey structure just soars into the sky. With Islamic culture at the very core of its design the metal and glass building is also home to the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.
Putrajaya
Located approx 45 minutes drive south of Kuala Lumpur – Putrajaya is the Federal Government’s new Administrative Centre for Malaysia. As a Federal Territory just like the city of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya houses a number of important Government offices relocated to this single area as part of the governments plans to relieve overcrowding and minimize congestion in Kuala Lumpur. Spread across 11,320 acres (46 sq km) of largely palm oil estates and rubber plantations, the whole area has undergone massive development since its establishment in 1995..
Kuala Lumpur Historic Buildings
KL Railway Station
With its very distinctive Moorish-style exterior, construction on the original KL Railway Station began in 1886 and was finally completed in 1910. Since then the station has undergone a number of extensive renovations and improvements to preserve and upgrade the building’s facilities. As part of these improvements, the station now has an air-conditioned waiting hall, a café, snack kiosks and a tourism information counter. Also occupying part of the station buildings is the Heritage Station Hotel.
Kuala Lumpur Gardens and Parks
Forest Research Institute of Malaysia
The Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) founded in 1929 on a 486-hectare site in Kepong, 16 km northwest of KL. Dedicated to research and sustainability management of Malaysia’s tropical rainforests, the public can also enjoy this forest science park. Among the many attractions include the MNS–Shell–FRIM’s Nature Education Centre (NEC), which educates participants to be eco-concious global citizens; the 20-minute canopy walk.
National Mosque
Located near the Old KL Railway Station, the National Mosque or Masjid Negara is probably the most outstanding modern mosque in Kuala Lumpur. Standing out from the rest, with its unique star-shaped dome, representing the 13 states of Malaysia and the five pillars of Islam. The mosque, with the capacity to hold 10,000 people, is seated proudly among 13 acres of beautifully landscaped ground, with gardens and fountains. Visitors are allowed into the mosque – but they must be dressed in an appropriate manner as a matter of respect in this special place of worship.
The National Zoo & Aquarium
Located just 13km northeast of the city centre, the National Zoo is home to hundreds of different species of animals, birds and reptiles – with more than 4,000 animals housed in the zoo, visitors can spend the day observing and admiring the beauty of the Sumatran tigers, leopards, orang utans, gibbons, giraffes, King Cobras and many more. All the animals live within a fenced but open enclosure which allows them to roam around freely within their own space.
