The Garden City of Lights

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The capital and largest city of Malaysia in terms of population, Kuala Lumpur is the fastest growing metropolitan region in the country. It is the seat of Parliament of Malaysia making it the legislative capital of the country as well. The tallest twin towers in the world are in Kuala Lumpur, the Petronas Twin Towers, owned by an oil and gas company. The name Kuala Lumpur literally means “muddy confluence”. The city is called this because it is situated at the confluence of Gombak River and Klang River.

Tourism plays an important factor in the city’s economy, providing many with income, employment, and business expansion opportunities. Many large world wide hotel chains have a prominent presence in the city. It is the fifth most visited city in the world, with about 9 million tourists traveling there in 2008.

Kuala Lumpar has developed into an international shopping destination also with a large variety of megamalls and shopping districts. It is an international retail hub. Almost every international and blobal brand in represented there.

The major tourist destinations in Kuala Lumpur include the Dataran Merdeka, the Independent Square, the House of Parliament, The Istana Budaya, the Istana Negara (National Palace), the Kuala Lumpur Tower, the National Museum, the Central Market, the Tugra Negara (National Monument), and the many extravagant mosques.

A visit to Kuala Lumpur is not complete without seeing the Batu Caves. Located in a limestone hill, there is a series of caves and cave temples, in the Gombak district about eight miles north of Kuala Lumpur. The cave is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside of India, dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is the focal point for the Thaipusam festivities celebrated on the full moon between January and February. The caves also provide some of the greatest rock climbing scenery the world has to offer.

A vacation in Kuala Lumpur will not dissapoint and you’ll definitely leave wanting more.