| KUALA LUMPUR LOCAL HISTORY | | | | the boiling soup. Beef is not, however |
| A city that has grown from humble | | | | ,often found on the local menu. |
| beginnings, ”Kuala Lumpur” means | | | | Redblooded beefsteak addicts may have to |
| “Muddy Convergence”. This is the | | | | pop into a western style restaurant for |
| name given by the first settlement of | | | | their fix! |
| tin prospectors in the late 1860’s,due | | | | KUALA LUMPUR RESTAURANTS |
| to the area being situated where the | | | | Bangsar Seafood - A short drive from |
| Kelang and Gombak rivers meet. The area | | | | central Kuala Lumpur, is renowned for |
| soon became a boomtown of miners and | | | | its butter crab and prawns. Open for |
| fortune seekers who were not afraid of | | | | lunch (12.00 – 2.30) and evening meals |
| getting their hands muddied in their | | | | until 11pm daily, Bagsar specializes in |
| quest for riches! KL rapidly prospered | | | | spicy Chinese style cooking and is great |
| and by the late 1800’s became upmarket | | | | starting point for a night out as it is |
| and prosperous. So much so that the | | | | situated in a vibrant area with plenty |
| central government was relocated to | | | | of good bars nearby. All major credit |
| Kuala Lumpur from Klang. The town | | | | cards are accepted. |
| however had its bad times- in 1881 the | | | | FIC’s - Only a 10-minute walk from |
| entire town was destroyed by fire and a | | | | Petronas Twin Towers for those who enjoy |
| subsequent flood. This was followed by a | | | | stylish dining and efficient service- |
| building boom and in due time hard work | | | | with ceiling-to-floor glass windows and |
| paid off when the city became the | | | | tasteful decor.Open from noon to 11:00pm |
| capital of the newly formed Federated | | | | daily, also offering private dining |
| Malay States in 1896. | | | | rooms, a large dining hall, a cigar |
| Kuala Lumpur is an exciting fusion of | | | | salon and a wine bar.All major credit |
| many cultures and has passed through the | | | | cards accepted. Jalan Sultan Ismail, |
| rulership of different countries | | | | Kuala Lumpur. |
| including British rule in 1913 and an | | | | Eden Seafood Village - A few minutes |
| influx of immigrants such as the Indian | | | | walk from Petronas Twin Towers, visit |
| and Chinese peoples. Adversity struck | | | | this restaurant for lunch (served from |
| with the onset of WWII and the Japanese | | | | noon to 3.pm) or dinner 7.00pm to |
| invasion of British Malaya. During this | | | | midnight daily.Renowned for their |
| dark period many of Kuala Lumpur's | | | | lobster, fresh seafood and Malaysian |
| Chinese population were tortured or | | | | cuisine, enjoy your meal in a Malay |
| killed. Many Indians were put to work on | | | | cottage setting which is both |
| Burma's 'Death Railway'. After the war | | | | comfortable and uniquely decorated. If |
| the British temporarily returned to | | | | your iron levels need a boost- they do |
| Kuala Lumpur whereupon Malaysia declared | | | | also serve a good steak! All major |
| its independence in 1957 in Dataran | | | | credit cards accepted. |
| Merdeka (Freedom Square). The city | | | | Seri Melayu - Business hours: noon to |
| officially became the independent | | | | 2:30 p.m. and 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. daily |
| Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur when | | | | Accepts all major credit cards. |
| it was ceded by the sultan of Selangor | | | | Location: Central KL. Seri Melayu offers |
| state in 1974. | | | | traditional cuisine served in a verdant |
| The mixture of modern and colonial | | | | landscape setting. If you like hot and |
| richness of Kuala Lumpur has great | | | | spicy this is for you! Lunch available |
| appeal and the city is currently the | | | | from noon to 2:30 p.m.Dine (6pm to |
| most populous and prosperous city in | | | | 11.pm) to nightly shows featuring |
| Malaysia. | | | | Malaysian talent at 8.30pm; souvenirs |
| KUALA LUMPUR ATTRACTIONS | | | | are also available for purchase. |
| Batu Caves - Situated 13km (8mi) north | | | | KUALA LUMPUR BARS & CLUBS Most of the |
| of the city, the huge Batu Caves are one | | | | nightspots are concentrated in various |
| of the best-known tourist attractions. | | | | entertainment areas making for easy |
| The main cave ( Temple Cave)- is a vast | | | | access. Entertainment hubs such as The |
| open cave that is reached by 272 steps. | | | | Piazza, The Embassy, Life Centre and |
| There are several other smaller caves | | | | Jalan Bukit Bintang contain a wide |
| one of which is decorated with | | | | selection from retro bars to pool halls. |
| elaborately painted Hindu figures. Apart | | | | Among these entertainment districts, the |
| from being a tourist attraction the | | | | current hot spot is Bangsar Baru which |
| caves are used for Hindu festivals and | | | | is in a suburb of KL . Best explored on |
| pilgrimages, including masochistic feats | | | | foot, Bangsar is a home to more than 50 |
| which are performed annually by | | | | bars and restaurants. |
| Thaipusam devotees. | | | | Bali - Open from lunch till late, this |
| Merdeka Square - You cant miss Merdeka | | | | gigantic multi-concept entertainment |
| Square, mainly because of the easy to | | | | center that incorporates a disco and |
| spot 95m (312ft) flag pole. Merdeka | | | | regular live performances with two |
| Square is situated in the heart of | | | | restaurants, a big sports bar with pool |
| downtown KL.and is surrounded by | | | | tables, four foosball tables and darts |
| historical buildings such as: the Royal | | | | is open Monday to Saturday. Closed on |
| Selangor Club (which is the place where | | | | Sunday. PS- happy hour all night long on |
| everyone who is someone in KL meet each | | | | Monday! Echo Jazz Bar -Be part of the |
| other). Also of interest is the nearby | | | | Bangsar nightlife hub- Echo is one of |
| Victorian-Moorish style Sultan Abdul | | | | more hip places to party and be seen. |
| Samad building. The National History | | | | Eclectic music played each night but |
| Museum and library are close by, as is | | | | Sunday is pure jazz only.Happy hours |
| the impressive, modern Dayabumi Complex. | | | | from 5:00 p.m. |
| For the party animal: At midnight on 30 | | | | to 8:00 p.m and wednesdays reserved for |
| August, revellers crowd Merdeka Square | | | | ladies' night. |
| to celebrate National Day, the | | | | Emporium Grand Café - The place to be |
| anniversary of Malaysia's independence | | | | seen! Convenient setting near to hippest |
| Kuala Lumpur Tower - Take in KL’s | | | | club district. Open 12.00 to 3.00am and |
| high-flying triumphs from the viewing | | | | offering live music daily, excepting |
| deck of the fourth-highest | | | | sundays; also pool tables, a wine and |
| telecommunications tower in the world. | | | | cigar room available.A really |
| Bird’s eye panoramic views on offer | | | | comprehensive Mediterranean menu and the |
| from the observation deck. | | | | Island bar; in short, something for |
| Festivals and celebrations - The capital | | | | everyone to enjoy. Party animals can let |
| celebrates Malaysia's major holidays and | | | | it all hang out on the last Saturday of |
| festivals such as Thaipusam ( devotees | | | | each month! KUALA LUMPUR PARKS & GARDENS |
| of Lord Subramaniam prove their faith by | | | | Lake Gardens - These manicured gardens |
| piercing their body parts with metal | | | | cover an area of 95 hectare and lie west |
| spikes and hooks), Chinese New Year and | | | | of Merdeka Square. There is much of |
| Deepavali (Festival of Lights, when tiny | | | | interest, including an aviary, butterfly |
| oil lamps are lit outside the homes of | | | | park, insect museum and planetarium. |
| Hindu people to entice Lakshmi, goddess | | | | Take a pleasant walk through the orchid |
| of wealth, inside). Celebrations take | | | | and hibiscus gardens. Boats are also |
| place at Tasik Perdana and Lake | | | | available to hire for use on Tasik |
| Titiwangsa gardens in the north of the | | | | Perdana (Premier Lake). |
| city. The Flora Fest is held in July , | | | | KUALA LUMPUR SHOPPING |
| with exhibitions and the international | | | | Chinatown - with its street vendors and |
| Floral Parade. September has 2 weeks of | | | | night markets is a must for |
| celebration called Malaysia Fest (also | | | | bargain-hunters, collectors and souvenir |
| called the Colors of Malaysia) with | | | | junkies. Situated about 300m (330 yards) |
| exhibits of traditional arts and special | | | | southeast of Merdeka Square it is a |
| cultural performances around town. The | | | | crowded,colourful mix of shops, activity |
| October Shopping Carnival follows on its | | | | and noise. The central section, Jalan |
| heels. | | | | Petaling, is a busy market that is |
| Central Market - Winner of the | | | | closed to traffic and is a dream come |
| Coronation Architecture Design Award in | | | | true for night owls who enjoy night |
| 1953. Today, the art-deco structure of | | | | shopping and browsing through street |
| the Central Market is a wonderful place | | | | stalls. |
| of development and display of Malaysian | | | | The Golden Triangle - an area dominated |
| arts, crafts and culture. Diverse | | | | by high rise buildings including the |
| demonstrations, activities and | | | | tallest building in the world, the |
| performances are on show to delight the | | | | Petronas Towers.Shopping paradise, but |
| artist in anyone! | | | | not for the budget-conscious. Petaling |
| KUALA LUMPUR CUISINE | | | | Jayaalso has a wealth of shopping |
| Abundant supplies of fresh tropical | | | | options. Don’t forget the October |
| fruits and vegetables with heaps of | | | | Shopping Carnival held every year in |
| succulent seafood form main ingredients | | | | Kuala Lumpur! KUALA LUMPUR CHILDREN'S |
| of the delectable cuisine, which | | | | ACTIVITIES Sunway Lagoon - A huge theme |
| together with the chilli and curry | | | | park with large waterslides and the |
| influence of India and Thailand create | | | | world's biggest surf-wave pool. at |
| unique spicy combinations. Coconut milk | | | | Petaling Jaya, 11km (7mi) southwest of |
| is ubiquitous in Malaysia and is an | | | | KL and easily accessed by bus. |
| essential ingredient to any curry or | | | | Templer Park - Walk on the wild side! |
| dessert. Rice, of course, accompanies | | | | This 500-hectare (1235-acre) park is |
| every meal. | | | | carved from the jungle. Walk the jungle |
| Exotic meat-free dishes can be sampled | | | | paths, swim in lagoons and admire the |
| in vegan restaurants and to experience | | | | several waterfalls. Just north of the |
| real local cuisine try a meal at a South | | | | park is an interesting 350m (1150ft) |
| Indian banana-leaf restaurants where it | | | | limestone formation known as Bukit |
| is customary to be served your food on a | | | | Takun. |
| banana leaf and to eat with your hand. | | | | The park is one hour away by bus. |
| Or try a “Steamboat”: Diners sit | | | | National Zoo and Aquarium - The National |
| round a table which has a soup tureen in | | | | Zoo is situated 13 kilometers north-east |
| the middle of the table below which a | | | | of Kuala Lumpur. There is also an |
| fire keeps it boiling. Then place | | | | aquarium offering a comprehensive |
| prepared raw pieces of prawns, chicken, | | | | display of marine & freshwater species. |
| quails' eggs, sea cucumber and liver in | | | | |