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KUALA LUMPUR

Kuala Lumpur or K.L as it is locally known, began in the late 1850s. A group of tin prospectors that landed at the meeting point of the Kelang and Gombak rivers named the place Kuala Lumpur in malay, which means - 'Muddy Confluence'. Shifting between colonial powers the whole Malaysia peninsula came under British rule in 1913. It was known as British Malaya.
At the commencement of World War II, Malaya supplied nearly 40% of the world's rubber and 60% of its tin. This pre-war boom period also saw massive movements of Chinese and Indian nationals to the region.

The British residential system quickly spread. Frank Swettenham, the Resident of Selangor, chose Kuala Lumpur as his administrative center and oversaw the rebirth of the city, ordering the construction of new buildings using brick. In 1896, Swettenham convinced the Sultans of four states to unite under the umbrella of the Federated Malay States(FMS), and Kuala Lumpur was chosen as the capital. The city became a classic center of British colonialism. Uniformed officers and bureaucrats administered the FMS from beneath the distinctive copper domes of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building.

On 30th August 1957, amidst a crowd of tens of thousands, British soldiers finally lowered the Union Jack for the last time in front of the Selangor Club.
With independence, Kuala Lumpur was poised for its greatest transformation ever. In 1974 the city was given the status of Federal Territory.

In 130 years, Kuala Lumpur has grown from nothing to a modern, bustling city of well over a million people. Superficially, KL may appear to be just another modern Asian city of gleaming skyscrapers, but it retains much of the character and local colour. It has plenty of colonial buildings in its centre, a vibrant Chinatown with street vendors and night markets, and a bustling Little India. The Petronas Twin Towers skyscrapers - the tallest building in the world - dominate the skyline, while in Merdeka Square stands a 95m (312ft) flagpole. Despite the economic crisis, Kuala Lumpur is currently the site of large-scale development, Putrajaya City with works underway on a new US$8 billion city on the southern fringe of the capital as well as an adjoining 'ultra-high-tech multimedia supercorridor'.

The traditional heart of the city is Merdeka Square, easily spotted because of the 95m (312ft) flag pole - reputedly the world's tallest. KL is a relatively easy city to navigate, with major north-south thoroughfares assisting in the speedy movement of people. At peak hour(s) however the city resembles most other industrialised cities in the world. South-east of Merdeka Square, the banking district merges into the bustling, old China Town, where travellers can find a wealth of accommodation and restaurant options. Due south of the square, past the main post office is the historic Kuala Lumpur train station, while further west is the 'green belt', housing the Lake Gardens, National Museum and Monument and the Malaysian Parliament.

Along with the station, the major transport hub in Kuala Lumpur is Puduraya bus station, on the eastern edge of the central district. South-east of the station is the site of KL Sentral, Central Station, when fully completed will be the main public transport hub. The international airport, KLIA, is located some 43 km (27 miles ) south of the city. The trip to town takes about 90 minutes by car.

The Weather

It's hot and humid throughout Malaysia all year round, with overnight lows rarely sinking below 20°C (70°F) and maximums rising above 30°C (86°F) on most days.

Rainfall is variable and falls all year round., it usually confines itself to short-lived torrential downpours in the afternoons. The driest months tend to be June and July.

Events

With so many cultures and religions in Malaysia, there is almost always something going on. Visitors from Western countries will need to check the local lunar calendar for the exact dates of most events. New Year's Day, Chinese New Year, Worker's Day (May Day) and National Day (31 August) are just a few of Malaysia's 44 public holidays. The festival of Ramadan is the major Islamic event of the year. The Hindu festival Thaipusam - is celebrated in the most dramatic way in Kuala Lumpur with devotees attaching heavy metal frames to their bodies using skewers and hooks. The celebrations centre on the Bata Caves.

Accommodations

Accommodation facilities available within Kuala Lumpur City Centre includes Grand Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Legend Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Bintang Warisan Kuala Lumpur, Swiss Garden Kuala Lumpur, Allson Genesis Kuala Lumpur, Swiss Inn Kuala Lumpur, Agora Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Park Plaza International Kuala Lumpur, PNB Darby Park Kuala Lumpur, Hotel Malaya Kuala Lumpur, The Federal Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Melia Kuala Lumpur, Radius International Kuala Lumpur, Corus Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Stanford Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Nova Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Hotel Furama Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown Inn Kuala Lumpur, Comfort Inn Kuala Lumpur and Lanson Place Kuala Lumpur.

Places of Interest :

Other places of interest includes Merdeka Square, the site of the proclamation of independence in 1957, the square, formerly known as Padang is the centre of National Day celebrations. Surrounding the square are many buildings of historical interest, including the Royal Selangor Club, the Sultan Abdul Samad building, which is a great example of the Victorian-Moorish architecture common to Malaysian cities, the National History Museum and library, Dayabumi Complex. Chinatown is a crowded colourful melange of signs, shops, activity and noise. The central section, Jalan Petaling, is a frantically busy market that is closed to traffic. It is most spectacular at night, when the combination of street stalls, food, haggling and bright lights makes impressions on all five senses. The old buildings are undergoing constant restoration by conservation groups, are interesting in themselves, while bargain-hunters and collectors of kitsch might be in luck as well. Chinatown is about 300m (330 yards) south-east of Merdeka Square.