Kuala Lumpur is the federal capital of Malaysia and has a population of 1.6 million people. It has earned the hosting of major sporting events in its drive to become a globally recognized iconic city. The 1998 Commonwealth Games and of course the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix have managed to put this driving city on the map. The Sepang F1 circuit is located next to the airport, making it extremely popular on the racing calendar. It is an interesting place for a holiday and an excellent base to explore the rest of this fascinating country.

I found the internal transportation system easy to use, inexpensive, clean, and efficient. Traveling from KL International Airport by high-speed train, I arrived at the Central Station and used the local train network to reach my hotel. It was surprisingly easy, the staff were helpful when needed, and the locals were always ready to offer help. In addition to the main train network, there is a quirky painted monorail system which is again very easy to use and presents the visitor with a novel way of getting around.

Like most visitors, I really wanted to see the fabulous Petronas Twin Towers. The largest twin towers in the world, this spectacular building does not disappoint and is best viewed at dusk, allowing people the opportunity to take photos both day and night, when the towers are lit up to a brilliant effect. While it is the most spectacular building, it is by no means the only iconic building. Some of the new Malay buildings are exceptional, Islamic in design, standing out from Western architecture. Good examples are the Menara Telekom building and the Dayabumi complex. The much older traditional-style train station is a white, Moorish-style building that contrasts with the more modern buildings.

Petaling Street in KLs Chinatown is a busy narrow street lined with shops and with market stalls in the middle. A traditional Chinese arch at one end makes this relatively small street easy to find. Found it by accident, just getting on and off the monorail I stumbled across this little gem of a street. Petaling Street has been designated as a locally made retail area.

The cultural diversity within this great city has created a wide variety of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. At its heart is the “Golden Triangle” Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Ampang Road mark the boundaries of this area which has many trendy bars, nightclubs and wine lounges. The variation of nightlife available has made this a popular spot for the young jet set. The wide variety of food available is amazing. The population here includes Indians, Malays, and Chinese, so this is obviously reflected in the food available.

To get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Kuala Lumpur boasts the beautiful Lake Gardens. This 230-acre large garden includes a butterfly park, bird park, deer park, and beautifully landscaped gardens. It provides a haven of peace in the center of the city and it’s easy to get lost for a full day here.

Kuala Lumpur has so much to offer and I can’t wait to go back.