Getting There: The Essentials Climate
Getting There: The Essentials Climate
The Essentials
Getting There
By plane: Flights from international destinations
touch down in Kuala Lumpur International Airport
which is 55km from the city. It is connected to the
city centre via the KLIA Ekspres train.
Flights on budget airlines arrive in the nearby LCCT
(Low Cost Carrier Terminal) which is connected to
the main terminal via shuttle bus.
Climate
According to inhabitants of the Malaysian capital,
Kuala Lumpur has three climates - hot, hotter and
hottest. This city has a year-round tropical climate
and it can get extremely humid at times. It also rains
regularly all year round, and the wettest periods are
from March to April and then again from October to
December. During this time it experiences
particularly heavy downpours.
Getting Around
Kuala Lumpur has all the trademarks of a South-East Asian capital. The shopping is cheap, the weather is
hot, the traffic is chaotic and the food and drink is plentiful. Commonly abbreviated to KL, it is also the
cultural, political and commercial centre of Malaysia. During a visit one can witness the hectic lives the
locals lead in its distinctive neighbourhoods, see the buildings where the country is run, and marvel at
some of the most famous skyscrapers on the planet.
In this Guide...
Useful Information
After Dark
Places to Eat
Top Attractions
Budget Tips
Where to Shop
Good to know...
Language: Malay, English widely spoken
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit
Electricity: 240V 50Hz. 2/3-pin plug.
Telephone Codes: +60 (Malaysia), 03 (Kuala
Lumpur)
Emergency Codes: Police 999 / Ambulance
999 / Fire 994
Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time, GMT +8
Central Post Office: Dayabumi Complex, Jalan
Hishamuddin
Main Tourist Office: Kuala Lumpur Tourist
Information Centre, Jalan Parlimen
Embassies
USA: +60 (0)3 2168 5000
UK: +60 (0)3 2170 2200*
Canada: +60 (0)3 2718 3333*
Australia: +60 (0)3 2146 5555*
South Africa: +60 (0)3 2170 2412*
Ireland: +60 (0)3 2161 2963
Germany: +60 (0)3 2170 9666
Spain: +60 (0)3 2148 4868
Italy: +60 (0)3 4256 5122
New Zealand: +60 (0)3 2078 2533*
France: +60 (0)3 2053 5500
* High Commissions
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Cheap Eats
Meng Kee Grill, 39 Jalan Alor, Golden Triangle
It's hard to walk down Jalan Alor without being
approached by at least one hawker. If those working
here coax you inside you won't be disappointed. The
speciality here is grilled fish, and you can choose
from swordfish, stingray and others. There are meat
and veggie options too. Open Wed-Mon 6pm-3am.
Street eats
After Dark
Luna, Menara PanGlobal, Jalan Punchak,
Golden Triangle While this bar is extremely swish
and stylish, it boasts one of the most breathtaking
views in Asia thanks to its location on the 34th floor
of the Pacific Regency Hotel Apartments. You won't
need to worry about what to talk about as you gaze
at the Petronas Towers lit up in all their glory. Open
daily from 6pm-1am (until 3am at weekends).
The Green Man, 40 Changkat Bukit Bintang,
Golden Triangle Marketing itself as an English bar,
yet at the same time emphasizing the fact that you
can buy Guinness and other Irish beers here, The
Green Man seems a confused man. Nevertheless,
this bar is popular with expats and is a good place
to catch up with friends. Open daily from
11am-1am.
Don't Miss
Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur City Centre,
Golden Triangle KL's iconic twin towers are
something of an emblem for the Malaysian capital
and are remarkably pleasing on the eye. Some
would argue they are the city's most beautiful
structures. Visit them twice - once in the day and
again at night when they are even more spectacular.
Sri Mahamariamman Temple, 163 Jalan Tun HS
Lee, Chinatown Founded in 1873, this is the oldest
practising Hindu Temple in Malaysia. Its faade is
fascinating, as is its main prayer hall, which houses
the famous 'silver chariot' which is marched to the
Batu Caves during the Thaipusam festival. Open
daily from 6am-9pm; admission free.
Massage in the Golden Triangle All around the
Golden Triangle are places offering all types of
massages. Head, feet, full...the list goes on. They
are cheap in comparison to similar massages in the
western world and are perfect for unwinding.
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Neighbourhood Watch
Chinatown Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown dates back
to the mid-19th century and is best-known for its
shopping along Jalan Petaling. Rather than shop, it's
sometimes better to soak up the atmosphere along
the less hectic Jalan Tun Hs Lee and Jalan Sultan
which run parallel to it. It's a good place to eat out
and there are lots of temples to visit also.
Kampung Baru Founded in 1899, Kampung Baru is
the oldest Malay residential area of Kuala Lumpur.
Walking around its streets you can still see the
wooden houses that are standing since the
neighbourhood first existed. Its main attractions are
the Kampung Baru Mosque and the 'Sunday Market'
which actually begins on Saturday evenings at 6pm.
Retail Therapy
Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Golden
Triangle Located at the base of the Petronas
Towers and covering a staggering 1.5 million square
feet, this enormous shopping centre is the city's
flagship shopping mall. Here you will come across
stores belonging to Levi's, Zara, GAP and FCUK to
name but a few. If you're not in the position to shop
you may find yourself visiting for the air-conditioning
alone. Open daily from 10am-10pm.
Bargains galore
A piece of India in KL
Budget Tips
Visit the National History Museum Conveniently
located on Merdeka Square, this museum is the only
museum in Malaysia dedicated to the country's
history from its early age until today. Some of the
galleries include 'The Advent of Islam', 'Malay
States', 'Japan Occupation' and 'Formation of
Malaysia'. Open daily 9am-6pm; admission free.
Don't get scammed! More a warning than a
money-saving tip, make sure not to get scammed
when in Kuala Lumpur. Taxi men are notorious for
overcharging, but the prices they overcharge tourists
aren't exactly extortionate. Instead be more wary of
a scam carried out around the Petronas Towers.
Tried by over-friendly locals, they will ask you where
you are from, then tell you their sibling is studying
there. Once they tell you that, stop talking to them as
they're trying to scam you!
Check out the National Art Gallery Opened 50
years ago in 1958, Kuala Lumpur's National Art
Gallery on Jalan Temerloh (off Jalan Tun Razak)
houses five different galleries and over 2,500
separate works of art. Open daily from 10am-6pm,
admission free.