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   Review: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Build Your Trip To Kuala Lumpur!      Kuala Lumpur With a population of over 1.5 million, the capital of Malaysia is one of the most colorful and dynamic cities of the world. 'KL', as it is most popularly known, is a unique mixture of old and new..where graceful Mosques, elaborately designed Chinese and Indian temples merge with modern skyscrapers and office blocks. You'll find shops selling traditional Chinese medicine, wizened fortune tellers setting up on pavements, little hole in the wall shops with signs in Arabic, Chinese and Roman selling everything from incense sticks to deodorants...and all of this amidst supermarkets and malls stocking the latest designer luxury items. There'll be the ever popular open air stalls (or hawkers, as they're known) serving up all kinds of local cuisine, from South Indian dosas, idlis, wadas to Malay Nonya food to Chinese dumplings and yaung tau foo. And if you fancy Western, try out the plentiful coffee shops, pizzerias and restaurants scattered all over the city. It's a dazzling blend of cultures and people...all of which contribute to form a colorful milieu..and give an introduction to the country of Malaysia. . Now you come take a bite! What To See: Golden Triangle- Expensive shops, up market restaurants and five star hotels are all a part of the Golden Triangle. Here you'll find the steel and chrome Petronas Towers (the tallest building in the world), and the Menara KL , or Kuala Lumpur Tower, the fourth highest communications tower in the world. A visit to the observation deck at the top is a must to take in the superb panoramic views. Lake Gardens - For a green retreat within the city, head for the Lake Gardens with seventy hectares of magnificent trees and flowering plants. The main attraction here is the Tasik Perdana or Premier Lake. Apart from the lake, you'll also find the Bird Park, a massive walk in aviary containing about 200 species of birds; the Orchid Garden, which boasts more than 800 species of flowers and the walk-in Butterfly Park with more than 6,000 butterflies flitting around in a natural habitat. Here you'll also find the Parliament House - the National Monument built to commemorate those who died in the struggle against Communist insurgency in the 1950's, and the Cenotaph erected by the British in honor of those who died in the two World Wars. Merdeka Square- formerly known as Padang, is the heart of downtown KL. This is the site of the Proclamation of Independence in 1957. It's still used as a venue for national events, and the National Day Parades start here. Spend some time here, and you'll soon be taken back to the colonial days of cricket and tea, as this was once the center for the British community. Look around and you'll see many buildings of historical interest, including the Royal Selangor Club where KL's elite meet, the Sultan Abdul Samad building which once was the core of colonial KL and now houses the Supreme Court. Masjid Negara (National Mosque) - This is an impressive building, completed in 1965, with a jagged 18-point star roof and 70 meter tall minaret. The points represent the 13 states of Malaysia and the 5 pillars of Islam. It's one of the largest mosques in the region, with 48 smaller domes, cool marbled halls, long galleries and reflecting pools in the courtyard...all set in 13 acres of gardens. Chinatown - In the heart of the old city, the best way to see Chinatown is on foot. A crowded, noisy, vibrant area of KL, Chinatown is a paradise for those interested in curios and exotic oddities. You'll find old shophouses selling everything from traditional Chinese herbs and medicines to jewelry and baskets. Fortune tellers, flower sellers, sign painters, haberdashers all display their wares on the pavements. A good place to start would be the central section of Jalan Petaling, which is especially active at night when the pasar malam (night market) begins Around The City: Batu Caves-Just 13km north of the city, the huge Batu Caves are among Malaysia's best known tourist attractions. Now used for Hindu festivals and pilgrimages, the caves also form an intense backdrop to the spectacularly masochistic feats performed annually by Thaipusam devotees. The main cave, a vast open space known as the Temple Cave - is reached by a 272-step climb. Beyond the stairs is the main temple. There are several other smaller caves in the same formation, including one with elaborately painted Hindu figures. Sunway Lagoon- A huge theme park with waterslides and the worlds biggest surf pool, this is a very popular attraction for locals and tourist alike. As big as a city, with it's own hotel and restaurants, a whole day is required to take it all in. Genting Highlands- Perched on a mountain range, this ultramodern hill station looks mystical, shrouded in mists that blanket the hills. In Malaysia's only casino, you'll find Western gambling along with traditional Chinese games like tai sai. Muslims are expressly forbidden from entering the casino. Set in a lush and cool countryside, Genting has several modern hotels, an artificial lake, a golf course, a family theme park with roller-coasters and the largest video-virtual reality arcade in Malaysia. Fraser's Hill - A cool retreat in the mountains, Fraser's Hill is for those who like to relax in the countryside, walk along jungle paths or swim in the pool of the Jerlau Waterfall . There is also a golf course, tennis courts and pony rides. Templer Park-North of the city, Templer Park was established during the colonial period. The 1235 acre park is a tract of primary jungle featuring marked jungle paths, swimming lagoons and several waterfalls. Just north of the park is a 350m limestone formation known as Bukit Takun. Pangkor Island - About 3 hours from KL, this tiny island is one of the few places on the west coast to offer palm fringed beaches. Until tourism arrived, it's economy depended on the sea and that is still evident in the number of fishing villages which extend on stilts far out over the water. Beach chalets, clear water and warm weather make it an ideal weekend getaway. Build Your Trip to Kuala Lumpur now! Review originally published at http://www.geocities.com/citiesoftheworld/

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