Welcome to Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur. A city that is truly one-of-a-kind. You’ll find the world in this city but you’ll never find anything quite like it anywhere else in the world.

For starters, KL (as we fondly call it) has its very own global icon in the PETRONAS Twin Towers, soaring 452 metres above street level and 88 stories tall. This mega structure towers majestically over KL, presenting a universal view of the icon from any corner of the city. Just beneath the Twin Towers are Malaysia’s best shopping spots, featuring haute couture brands to trendy street fashions. For those with a penchant for Broadway-like theatres, meet KL’s talented acting community that brings you fine shows and performances from the traditional to the satirical. Partygoers will find KL’s vibrant night scenes perfect to satiate their appetite for the most happening places to party.

You might get more roti for your ringgit in Kuala Lumpur than in many other country.

Where are we?

KL is located on the west coast of the Malaysian peninsular in between Thailand and Singapore. “Kuala Lumpur” literally means “muddy confluence”, signifying the meeting point of the Klang and Gombak rivers. KL is located half an hour away from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport by train, or 45 minutes away by taxi. KL is well connected via the expressway networks and light railway transportation systems.

History Of Kuala Lumpur

KL was founded in 1857 by a member of the Selangor royal family, Raja Abdullah, who was the representative of the Yam Tuan who administered Klang. Together with Raja Jumaat of Lukut and 87 Chinese workers, he came to explore the district in search for tin ore. After travelling up the Klang River to reach its confluence with the Gombak River, they made their way through deep jungle and found tin near Ampang. That moment marked the beginning of KL’s development. Over the years it grew from a tin miner’s camp into a commercial centre that was able to attract large numbers of investors from around various places.

After the arrival of Yap Ah Loy in the 1860s, development progressed at a faster pace. In March 1880, the British moved their seat of administration from Klang to KL. With this, the British took charge of the running and expansion of the town and continued its development. This led to KL becoming a revamped urban centre with a completely new look.

KL continued to grow despite two World Wars, the crash of rubber and tin commodity and during the communist insurgency. In 1957, the Federation of Malaya gained independence and Kuala Lumpur was designated as the state capital. In 1972, KL achieved city status and appointed its first mayor. It was established as a Federal Territory in 1974 and is now one of the most vibrant cities in the world.

Another peaceful spot is Lake Perdana at Perdana Botanical Garden. The man-made lake amid a 92-hectare nature haven is an idyllic place to relax, surrounded by immaculate gardens where tropical and medicinal plants thrive. Free guided walks of the gardens take place from 8am-10am on weekdays.

Business Hours

The official operating hours for most retail shops and shopping centres in KL are from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm. Government offices operate from 8.00 am to 4.30 pm on weekdays only. Banking hours are from 9.15 am to 4.30 pm on Mondays to Fridays and post offices open from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm on Mondays to Saturdays.

On the contrary, KL is famous for its round-the-clock eating time, hence you’ll see many eateries are open for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In some parts of KL, street side shopping happens from 3.00 pm untill midnight.

Credit to www.visitkl.gov.my for content.