Kuala Lumpur; Your gateway to Malaysia by Yazid Malek
Kuala Lumpur, the federal capital of Malaysia, is the main gateway to the country, and one of Asia's most dynamic cities currently experiencing dramatic change. Kuala Lumpur commonly referred as KL (as New York usually referred as NY). KL is the largest city in Malaysia with the population of over 1.5 million people consist all of Malaysia's many ethnic group (3 major ethnic groups are Malay, Chinese and Indian).
Covering some 243 sq km, it lies approximately 40km from the coast. KL was originally a tin mining settlement founded in 1875 at the confluence of the Gombak and Klang rivers. From a small tin mining settlement, it continues to grow and today, KL is home to more than 4 million people.
KL will definitely have plenty to offer, from shopping to sightseeing to unique culture from those 3 major ethnic groups....Malay, Chinese and Indian.
First time visitors to Kuala Lumpur can be forgiven for feeling a little disorientated by the traffic congestion, the modern glass skyscrapers, giant department stores and all trappings of any modern city, yet beneath this veneer of modernity lies the heart and soul of very interesting metropolis.
Not to be missed while you are in KL is Petronas Twin Tower also famously known as KLCC, one of the modern marvels of the world. It was the tallest building in the world until 2004 when the title was taken over by Tapei101. With the total height of 452 meters above street level and 88 stories, with its unique design, at least you should take 1 snap with this famous building as a background.
In recent years, Kuala Lumpur has been erecting massive new building as a symbol of its aspirations to be proud by capital, not merely of Malaysia, but the world. Kuala Lumpur impressive skyline and its modern structures do give it the feel of an international city. Some visitors like this, since they can find enough global stamps of familiarity to be able to take to the city easily. From fast food outlets to shopping malls and department stores, international brand names and products abound, at least superficially so; occasionally, some aspects are tempered with local quirkiness, such as Indian curry pizzas.
The city's varied architectural styles are outstanding - modern skyscrapers, handsome colonial buildings, quaint old shop houses in Chinatown and little India and suburban Malay Kampung (villages). While Malaysians live side by side, certain areas reflect the varied cultural mix.
The city's more contemporary structures of glass and steel conveniently appeal to enough camera-happy visitors to make tourism one of the city's biggest revenue earners. In fact, building like Petronas Twin Tower are gradually taking precedence over the traditional tourism attractions that date back to colonial times.
Kuala Lumpur certainly presents more to explore and discover.
