Kuala Lumpur           More than any other spot in the country, Kuala Lumpur, or "KL" as it is commonly known, is the focal point of new Malaysia. While the city's past is still present in the evocative British colonial buildings of the Dataran Merdeka and the midnight lamps of the Petaling Street nightmarket, that past is everywhere met with insistent reminders of KL's present and future. The city's bustling streets, its shining, modern office towers, and its cosmopolitan air project an unbounded spirit of progress and symbolize Malaysia's unhesitating leap into the future. To some, this spirit seems to have been gained at the loss of ancient cultural traditions, but in many ways KL marks the continuation rather than the loss of Malaysia's rich past. Like Malacca five hundred years before, KL's commercial centre is a grand meeting place for merchants and travelers from all over the world.
     In the same way, the city brings together Malaysia's past and present, its many constituent cultures, and even its remarkable natural treasures, allowing first-time visitors an invaluable opportunity to see Malaysia as a whole before setting off to explore its parts
Points of Interest
Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens - dates to the 1880s and is the city's most popular park. Built around an artificial lake, it encompasses 91.6 hectares of undulating greenery interspersed with flowering shrubs, shady trees, exceptional botanical gardens, and other notable features. The Panggung Anniversary, set in a secluded valley, is a regular venue for musical and cultural performances. There is a children's playground, jogging tracks, exercise stations, and rowing boats.
The National Museum - located atop a hill at Jalan Travers, provides an interesting introduction to the history and culture of Malaysia. Built in the style of a Malay palace, its impressive facade of two large murals depicts scenes of the country's colourful past. The museum houses various galleries, each with its own theme. The Historical Gallery traces the different periods in the history of Peninsular Malaysia. The Cultural Gallery is a collection of various aspects of the Malaysian culture, from common everyday pastimes to important ceremonial customs. Included in the exhibits are a Malay wedding scene, a royal circumcision ceremony, and an presentation on the heritage of the Straits-born Chinese.                                                                                                       Page 1 - 2 < prev 1 2 next >