TRAVEL

Situated at the juncture of two rivers, Kuala Lumpur means 'muddy confluence' in Malay, but this fast-rising city has redefined itself to mean so much more. Looming skyscrapers, stellar cuisine and thumping night life, KL has all the ingredients to call it one of Southeast Asia's most alluring metropolises. A city that has classy offerings and friendly people is truly a rare combination. Kuala Lumpur is full of odd juxtapositions. Old cafes tucked under gleaming expressways seem to narrate the pace of development of this country. Calls to prayer beckon white-collar professionals from towers of steel and glass. A walk on the streets of KL acquaints you to the presence of disparate ethnic groups that call this place home. Malays, Chinese and Indians rub shoulders in glitzy malls and leafy parks, giving the city a unique cosmopolitan flair unrivaled in the region.

KL has a vibrant nightlife scene and a fascinating art and performance culture, which blends contemporary and traditional styles from many backgrounds. A plethora of sporting activities available with state-of-the-art facilities is sure to impress any sporting enthusiast. The architecture is spectacular, from hundred-year-old mansions to rocketing high rises, and all within metres of each other. Once in KL be sure to treat yourself to the city?s varied cuisine, which is certainly a delicious adventure in itself! Almost every other corner is home to a roadside eatery doling out delicacies to its patrons. Above all, KL is a shopping haven, offering everything from street-side trinkets to haute couture.

REVISITING HISTORY

Few cities in the world offer the diversity of KL. From the historically inclined to the mall hopper, KL puts a lot on the traveller's plate. Literally translated as 'Independence Square', Dataran Merdeka is an excellent locale to journey into KL's past. The huge open square is surrounded by colonial heritage buildings and dominated by an enormous flagpole (world's tallest, standing at 100m - 328 ft) and fluttering Malaysian flag. The square was used as a cricket pitch during colonial times. The expansive, palm-tree-edged plaza boasts of 100-year-old landmarks. The Sultan Abdul Samad Building (Jalan Raja) is one such landmark which features a blend of Moorish and Mogul architecture that typifies the style favoured by colonialists. Beautifully illuminated at night this historical structure is now where the Supreme Court and High Court are. Another favourite destination of click-happy tourists is the Moorish style old railway station. The National Mosque, Jamek Mosque and National Monument are other attractions.

Kuala Lumpur is a mixture of old and new, from turn-of-the-century colonial buildings to the soaring glass and steel towers of modern architecture. The Petronas Twin Towers, one of the tallest buildings in the world stands against the KL skyline and is symbolic of Malaysia?s economic prowess.

Tweeting around

In the dizzying heights of KL its architects have accommodated large parks and ample green spaces for its people. The immaculately landscaped KL Lake Gardens near the city centre is its premier green lung. Built around two lakes, the sprawling 91.6 hectares tropical garden is a pleasant oasis within the city providing a cool and soothing ambience as one walks through a vista of exotic blooms, luxuriant foliage, imposing sculptures, creative theme parks and majestic-looking rain trees. A visit to the Butterfly Park and Deer Park is an absolute must. 6,000 butterflies that belong to 120 species fly freely in their simulated natural environment. Their colours and patterns have the locals referring to them as 'flying flowers.' In the Deer Park you can see Malaysia's most famous deer, the kancil or mouse deer.

MAD ABOUT MALLS

Kuala Lumpur is a mall town ? after all, the mercury often hovers around 90 degrees and the malls serve as a perfect get-away from the sun. Malaysians love shopping, which explains the vast number of luxury malls, stores and street-side stalls in the capital city. If you are a shopaholic, the best time of the year to visit is during the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival, around August-September and the Malaysia Year End Sale (MYES) November to January when the entire country offers great discounts. The MYES is as big as it gets, it offers a fantabulous retail therapy, great dining experience and fun entertainment.

Touted as a shopper's paradise, from malls to markets to night bazaars, Kuala Lumpur has something to offer to everyone. A favourite way to whiz away an afternoon in Kuala Lumpur is strolling and trolling for bargains. The main shopping hubs are in Bukit Bintang area, nestled between two lavish landmarks in the Ritz-Carlton and Regent hotels. There is plenty to choose from, but ask a local for popular outlets and Sungei Wang Plaza is sure to feature on the list. The literal translation for Sungei Wang Plaza is 'The River of Gold.' It is a teenagers' mecca packed with some 700 shops peddling colourful head scarves, sequined micro-minis, Hello Kitty Pez dispensers and T-shirts with phrases like 'Thy Love is All Need' ? another example of the city's exuberant and unpredictable convergences. So get ready to wrestle the crowds and sharpen your bargaining skills before you get that great deal for yourself on handbags, trinkets, cosmetics!

And if you are an IT bug, Low Yat Plaza is where you need to head. A one stop shop, Low Yat Plaza is everything IT. Seemingly endless aisles of shops carrying branded PCs, hand phones, digital cameras, gadgets and other gizmos, the range is both eye catching and extensive. If you are among those shoppers who like to think over a deal before jumping right into it, the five storied mall also houses a food court which serves food for thought. Sushi King, Coffee Bean, Starbucks, The Outback, and other Asian food outlets offer multi cuisine options to chew upon before you seal the deal.

While in shopping mode do visit what is arguably the nation's premier shopping mall, Suria KLCC. The tagline 'Everything under the sun' aptly describes what this mall has to offer. Taking a leaf from New York City's Times Square, Berjaya Times Square is Malaysia's largest shopping mall sprawling over 3,45,000 square feet, and housing over 1,000 retail outlets as well as entertainment and dining facilities. Get ready to be spoilt for choice with merchandise ranging from stylish and chic apparels, accessories, eyewear, footwear, home equipment, IT appliances. For the brand conscious, top labels like Debenhams, Swatch, Hush Puppies, Levi's, and Sub & Idx will do the trick. And if this shopping experience is not adventure enough, scoot to the Cosmo's World Theme Park, Malaysia's largest indoor theme park. A perfect end to a hectic day of store hopping are the Imax 2D and 3D theatres which are the largest in southeast Asia and offer an unforgettable viewing experience.

If you haven't satiated your shopping senses yet, move over to The Pavilion. Spread over 1.3 million square feet, this mall has six precincts. Browse through an impressive collection of designer wear and furniture and art pieces. Savour delectable cuisine from around the world or rejuvenate your body and mind at exclusive spas. Talking about spas, a trip to the Kenzo Fish Spa is a must-do. These little masseurs nibble away your dead skin and pamper your feet to a pleasant sensation and relaxation of micro-massage, followed by a tingling sensation. And what you have then is baby smooth skin.

CULTURAL CRASH COURSE CHINATOWN

Start your tour of Kuala Lumpur's ethnic hodgepodge in Little India, where the narrow streets throb with Bollywood music, silk shops with Punjabi suits, roti vendors and men stringing fragrant jasmine garlands. Fuel up with a glass of teh tarik, a brew of black tea and condensed milk, before tackling nearby Chinatown, a bustling area with stores selling knockoff purses, medicinal herbs and delicate tea sets. Ask anyone who's been to Malaysia about Petaling Street and they will cite it as a shopper's haven, albeit in a different league when compared to its more glamourous counterparts, Bukit Bintang and KLCC. Petaling Street is choc-a-bloc with shops and stalls selling goods and food. A signboard warning against the sale of imitation goods provides an interesting ? even ironic ? contrast as the whole street is practically littered with fake branded items.

Handbags, watches, trainers, apparels ? you name it, they've got it. Louis Vuitton sits by the side of Burberry, Gucci and Rolex. For shoppers on a shoe-string budget or those looking for cheap and cheerful 'branded' goods, Petaling Street will be their first stop as it offers not just variety but also value for money as the prices can be further whittled down through hard bargaining. It is easy getting to Petaling Street. Take a taxi, but also numerous bus companies service the area.

And when you are bushed from shopping whet your appetite with some authentic Chinese food. Some of the restaurants here have been operating for generations! Patrons are normally given a menu complete with pictures so they know what their meal will look like. The Hokkien Noodles at the corner of Hong Leong Bank is popular judging from the long queues of people waiting to place their order. Don?t be disheartened. It is really worth the wait. Look out for Yook Woo Hin restaurant on Petaling Street. It is one of the longest surviving family-run food places in KL. For a quiet moment after the shopping frenzy, duck into the 145-year-old Sin Sze Si Ya Temple (14a Lebuh Pudu), an incense- and red-lantern-filled space where Buddhists have their fortunes told.

CENTRAL MARKET

Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur where the city was founded, is an arts and crafts market which could very well be the final stop of a long walking tour through this city. This deco market is filled with every imaginable curiosity from old Craven cigarette tin boxes, oil lamps to century-old Nyonya tea sets, charcoal irons and cosmetic accessories. Not only can you purchase items with a genuine local feel but they are price friendly too, although a little bargaining would be rewarding. Situated on the border of Chinatown, bargains galore can be found within the preserved walls of this landmark Central Market. The bazaar boasts colourful interiors with a wide range of shops modelled after traditional houses, each selling crafts representing various Malaysian cultures. We recommend that you allow some space in your suitcase for the charming souvenirs such as a Kelantanese tea set, antique silver dining ware, jewellery or an authentic Malaysian kite. Choices range from priceless authentic antiques such as hand-crafted Burmese doors to modern hand-made crafts like hand painted Chinese clogs so exquisite that they are in fact heritage inspired objects d?art. At the Art Lane, have your portrait sketched by portrait artists or see and learn how Malaysian batik is made. Touch and feel an actual Wau Bulan (traditional Moon Kite from Kelantan). No longer a ?wet market? selling fresh meat, fish and vegetables, the Central Market now houses more than 130 shops, 30 food outlets, 140 kiosks, an exhibition corner (Sudut Pameran and an outdoor riverside amphitheatre with cultural performances). Take a walk along the streets with themes such as Malay Street, Straits Chinese, Little India, Jonker Street (named after the famous street in Malacca) and Blue Mansion (named after the heritage building in Penang). A visit to Kuala Lumpur's bustling Central Market is a must to witness bazaar-style haggling at its best. Should you wish to embark on this shopping expedition, be well-prepared. Wear comfortable shoes and attire. Make sure you have a full day.

Beyond the city

Batu Caves is an iconic and popular tourist attraction in Selangor. The first thing you will notice walking up to the caves is a gigantic statue of the Hindu deity Lord Murugan. Standing at over 140 feet this imposing statue attracts thousands of worshippers and tourists, especially during the annual Hindu festival, Thaipusam. It takes a 272 step climb to be finally rewarded with a view of the stunning skyline of the city centre.

Monkeys frolic around the caves, and it is a popular spot for rock climbing enthusiasts. Paintings of Hindu Gods are in the Ramayana Cave. A limestone outcrop located just north of Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves has three main caves featuring temples and Hindu shrines. Stalactites jutting from the cave?s ceiling and stalagmites rising from the floor form intricate formations such as cave curtains, flow stones, cave pearls and scallops. While at it, don?t miss Putrajaya. Twenty five km to the south, is Malaysia?s new administrative capital. Hailed as an intelligent garden city, Putrajaya is a model township constructed with detailed planning, innovative urban design and

preservation of the environment. The Botanical gardens, Putrajaya Lake and Putrajaya wetlands are fascinating.

A cruise on Putrajaya Lake offers spectacular views of the Prime Minister?s Office, and Residence, the pink-domes Putra mosque and waterfront promenade. The architecture of the bridges is something to be observed.