Where to go in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia: December 2008

Ulu Yam Lake, Selangor State Park





After you visited Batu Caves, you can proceed your journey to Ulu Yam Lake, somewhere behind Batu Caves. There you will be treated with amazing view of Ulu Yam lake, one of the main water reservoirs for the Klang Valley. Some couples even took their wedding photos over there! You can travel all the way up to the Ulu Yam Town. It is a small little town with lots of old buildings due to slow development over there.

You will passby the Selangor State Park when you travel up to Ulu Yam Town. Please bring along your picnic gears to enjoy the cold streams of clear water and view. The park is well maintained with well preserved rain forest.

Remember to take a stop at Ulu Yam Lama for lunch, 'Loh Mee', a popular dish of noodles in thick egg and vinegar broth.

Genting Highland

Yes, Genting Highland is not located in KL, it is somewhere in Pahang and in fact it is just 45mis away from Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2). So i stil keen to introduce this tourist destination to my visitors. It is the perfect escape for those seeking relaxation and entertainment in a cool mountain setting.



I love Genting Highland for its cool & refreshing air. They offer a lot of attractions such as an international class casino ,international standard hotels, and fun and excitement at the Genting Indoor Theme Park and Outdoor Theme Park. The International Showroom features shows from all over the world. There are more than 35 restaurants, bowling alley, swimming pool, video arcades, karaoke lounges, discos, etc.



If you're first time visitor to Genting Highland, then i recommend you to hop in the world's fastest mono cable car ride. The whole journey is 3.4 km and the system is able to transport passengers from Gohtong Jaya to the hilltop in only 11 minutes

Hotels & Resorts available in Genting:
Theme Park Hotel
Genting Hotel
Resort Hotel
First World Hotel
Resort Hotel
Genting View Resort

Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka)

Dataran Merdeka
Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square) is one of te most important historical landmark in Malaysia. In 31st August of 1957, when the British flag came down and the Malayan flag was raised, the area became known as Dataran Merdeka (or Merdeka Square).

Formerly known as the Selangor Turf Club, the Dataran Merdeka (or Independence Square) - the scene of the annual celebration of independence - was once the focal point, and cricket green (incl. hockey, tennis, and rugby matches), of the British colonial presence in Malaysia. Appropriately enough, it was here, in front of the impressive and oft photographed Sultan Abdul Samad building, with its unique Moorish architecture and foreboding clock-tower, where the Union Jack was lowered, the Malayan flag hoisted up for the first time and Tunku Abdul Raman declared the country independent from Britain at 12:01 am on August 31, 1957. In front of thousands of jubilant Malaysians, Tunku Abdul Raman led a famous chant: Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! (Independence!) signaling Malaysia's independence as a nation. A grand parade, in which just about every major Malaysian organization participates, from the local post office to multi-national corporations (and in which outlandish costumes seem to be de rigueur) is held once a year to mark the occasion of the nation's birth. It is appropriately known as Merdeka Day.

A 100-meter flagpole , the tallest in the world, marks that spot with a flat, round black marble plaque. It is located at the southern end of the square majestically flying the national flag. Beneath the newly returfed and attractively laid out Dataran Merdeka is the Plaza Putra, an underground food, leisure and entertainment complex. The Royal Selangor Club, overlooks Merdeka Square. This quasi-Tudor style timber structure was built in 1890 and remains a place to watch a round of cricket on a Sunday afternoon.

Also at Merdeka Square is the Royal Selangor Club, an old colonial bastion where the British elite used to wine and dine. Its Tudor-style exterior is quite a contrast to the Middle Eastern-looking Sultan Abdul Samad government building across the square, but it is nonetheless representative of Malaysia's colonial past. You can sometimes catch a game of cricket being played on the grounds in front of the club, which is still a private hangout for the upper echelons of KL society.

Across the road, the gleaming copper domes and 130-meter clock tower of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building are by far the most impressive architecture feature of the Dataran Merdeka, flanking it from one end to the other. Like the town itself, it incorporates a wide mix of cultural styles in its architecture and in particular, Moorish styles. This elaborate edifice is a fantastic blend of Moghul, Moorish, Arab and British neoclassical architecture. Designed by architects Norman and Bidwell, the building took more than two years to build and was completed in 1897. It served initially as the center of British colonial administration in Malaysia. Today, it houses the Judicial Department (Supreme and High Courts) on one end and Infokraf, a center for Malaysian handicrafts, on the other. At night, the building looks as if it were plucked off the Las Vegas strip, with bright lights running up, down, and around every wall as the whole building is lit up as if it were Christmas, making an excellent photo opportunity

Lookout Point (Menara Tinjau)

view from lookout point

If you want a breathtaking night view of KL, you will like to visit the Lookout Point. There you can enjoy your dinner and at the same time the exotic view of KL city.

view from lookout point

But how can you get there? Just follow the directions below:
1.Exit the MRR2 at Pandan Indah Interchange.
2.Go straight until the T-Junction. Esso will be on your left. Turn right at the traffic light.
3.Take a left at the next traffic light
4.Take another left at the traffic light beside Puteri Plaza.
5.Turn right at the traffic light junction to Ulu Langat/Kajang.
6.From this traffic light the road is winding for about 3 km.
7.Look out for the sign board “Menara Tinjau”.
8.Will come across a food court on the right with carpark. Turn in and drive up the hill to the LookOut Point Restaurant

map of lookout point, cheras

ps: if you get lost, follow your heart.

Putrajaya & Cyberjaya


Putrajaya sits on a magnificent 4,931 hectares spread. Its Masterplan is designed along an axial tangent, which runs from the northeast to southeast taking full advantage of the natural surroundings. Its undulating terrain treats visitors and residents to commanding vistas of the environment.

About 40% of Putrajaya is natural. Lush greenery, botanical gardens are spread across the landscape enhanced by large bodies of water and wetlands.

Petaling Street (China Town)

Petaling Street is a place that never sleeps.

Main attraction for Petaling Street is you can get a lot of good deal and cheap things including shoes, dresses, souvenirs, sunglasses , jewelers, electronics, fruits, traditional herbal medicines, watches, and CDs.

Petaling Street has changed a lot since few years ago. They have built a cover on top of the street for the retailers and stalls. Be warned though that it can get rather extremely crowded sometimes but its still remains convenience.
The only thing remember to bring enough water because you know, bargaining can be quite tiring!....

KL Bird Park

The KL Bird Park was establish in 1991 and was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen of Malaysia, Tunku Bainun. It was since managed by DBKL (City Hall) until 1st July 2001 whereby it was taken by Safari Bird Park & Wonderland Sdn Bhd as the new management of KL Bird Park.

KL Bird Park is well known worldwide as "The world's Largest Cpvered Bird Park" or "The World's Largest Free Flight Aviary", home to more thann 3,000 birds from approximately 200 species of local and worldwide birds.

KL Bird Park is an ideal place for family and friends and even company outing. The Bird Park's management offers a number of services for corporate and individual visitors.
Event Organiser
Company Outings
Family Days Activities
Treasure Hunt
Nature Educational Programmes
Hatchery and Educational Center

Bird Performances Show Time: 12.30pm & 3.30pm (Mon - Sat)
Additional: 10.30am (Show on Public Holidays)

For more information visit www.birdpark.com.my

Titiwangsa Lake (Taman Tasik Titiwangsa)

Taman Tasik Titiwangsa is one of the most popular metropolitan recreational parks located in the northern part of Kuala Lumpur.

Taman Tasik Titiwangsa near with Istana Budaya, National Gallery, Sutra Dance Theatre and a little further on, the National Library.

Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur

Batu Caves with Lord Murugan Statue

For those who want to escape from the city centre of Kuala Lumpur, you may choose to visit Batu Caves. It is around 13KM away from city centre alog Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) & you need to climb the rock stairs with 272 steps to reach the top and inside of the cave. Batu Caves is open to public daily from 9am - 4.30pm. There is a Lord Murugan Statue near the entrance of the caves. The RM2.5 million statue entered the Malaysian Book of Records as the tallest statue of a Hindu deity in the country.

Every year, during Thaipusam as many as 800,000 devotees and other visitors may throng the caves. As a form of sacrifice, many of them carry kavadis. These are large, brightly decorated frameworks, usually combined with various metal hooks and skewers which are used to pierce the skin, cheeks and tongue.

Batu Caves is consist of three main caves and several small caves.
1) Temple Cave or Cathedral Cave is biggest of the caves and best known. The ceiling is 100 m above ground and this huge chamber is lighted by daylight from several holes in the ceiling. At the end of the caves you can see the bright sky, when you look above you. As the name suggests, this cave contains several shrines, and the Sir Sri Subramania Swamy Temple, visited by many devotees..
2) Dark Cave is below Temple Cave. The 2000 m long cave contains a large number of endemic cave animals. They make two different spelunking tours, which are held daily after advance booking. The short tour requires good shoes and physical fitness. The long tour is a real spelunking tour and requires a change of clothes and shoes
3) Gallery Cave at the foot of the steps to Temple Cave contains an art gallery. There are statues and wall paintings showing scenes from Hindu mythology.

Kuala Lumpur Tower (Menara KL)



Kuala Lumpur Tower is one of the tallest concrete towers in the world, standing at 421m and built with 45,000 cubic metres of sturdy concrete. Designed with vertical ribs on the external surface, the Tower weighs 100,000 tonnes and was built on no-piling, freestanding land. Menara Kuala Lumpur opulently stands as the tallest tower in Southeast Asia.

Menara Kuala Lumpur ranks fourth amongst the tallest telecommunications towers in the world and was constructed over a period of four years and completed in May 1996. Menara Kuala Lumpur is designed to withstand wind pressures of up to 90mph. Menara Kuala Lumpur is a member of the prestigious World Federation of Great Towers.

Besides the panoramic view, Menara KL has something for the city-dwelling, nature enthusiast. The verdant green surrounding Menara KL is the Bukit Nanas Forest - the only oldest gazetted forest reserve in the country. Age-old trees, flora and fauna indigenous to tropical climes, the tale of the Jelutong Tree that moved the Menara and a recreational park with open air gym are there for your exploration.

In the forest one can find colourful butterflies, insects, monkeys, squirrels and exotic birds in their natural habitat. The forest also contains ferns, creepers and climbers, Palmae spp. and other indigenous plants.

The Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur city, in between Jalan Ampang and Jalan Raja Chulan. It covers an area of 10.05 hectares and is considered the 'Green Lung' of Kuala Lumpur. It is a sanctuary to a wonderful array of flora and fauna which is unique to our tropical nature.

It is easy to get to the Forest Park as it is surrounded by a network of excellent roads. To reach the Forest Park, visitors can use their own vehicles or public transportation. The main road is Jalan Ampang, Jalan Gereja and Jalan Raja Chulan.

Visiting hours: 7.00am to 6.00pm daily including weekends and public holidays.

Bukit Bintang, KL

Dear visitors,
The new year 2009 is coming around the corner, and you may wondering what you can do to celebrate the new year. Well, the most popular tourist spot in Kuala Lumpur for your new year celebration definitely will be Bukit Bintang.

It is located at the KL's Golden Triangular Area. Bukit Bintang has always been popular & renowned as a major shopping paradise, exciting nightlife & entertainment centre. It is easy accessible to transportation terminals, coach station and the monorail. The major shopping complexes that are located here are Starhill Gallery, Pavilion, Bukit Bintang Plaza, Sungai Wang Plaza, Lot 10, Low Yat Plaza and Imbi Plaza, Times Square. hmmmm... that is a lots, right? For me, i prefer Pavilion & Starhill.

Pavilion

Also, there are some hotels located in the area, like Westin Hotel, Istana Hotel, JW Marriot...

I would like to take this opportunity to brief about Starhill Gallery over here. The Gallery is just next to JW Marriot Hotel, is a well-known high end shopping mall in Malaysia owned by YTL Corp. It was designed by architects and designers from Malaysia, Singapore, Germany, USA, England, Italy, France and Japan. Going into this spacious mall itself is spectacular as its building is built with marble floor and gilded banisters covering an area of 280,000 square feet. The entrance to the mall is through JW Marriot Hotel. Inside there you may find yourself some luxury brands of watches and fashion accessories. Other designer items such as Bulgari, Celine, Dior, DKNY, Gucci and Louis Vuitton are offered here as well.

Map of Bukit Bintang vicinity

Hotel Nikko

I highly recommend Hotel Nikko to you all for some good reasons. The hotel is strategically located along Jalan Ampang, which is the heart of KL business, shopping & entertainment district. Hotel Nikko is also a view distance from Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and the Petronas Twin Towers. It is a walking distance from Ampang Park LRT Station & a one stop away to KLCC LRT Station.

Hotel Nikko is completed with outdoor swimming poor, spa, fitness centre, meeting & conference facilities. The Hotel offers 473 rooms including 14 suites. Each room measures over 42 sq.m and is luxuriously furnished. Non-smoking floors and rooms for the handicapped are also available.

Restaurants & Bars:
1) Benkay Japanese Restaurant
2) Toh Lee Chinese Restaurant
3) Cafe Serena Brasserie
4) Bentley's Pub
5) Lobby Lounge
6) The Deli

Well, i also gather some info regarding the Hotel Room Rates & Packages for your reference. The price ranging from RM680++ up to RM5800++. (note: Conversion rate ~USD1 = RM3.30)

Petronas Twin Tower, KLCC

Petronas Twin Towers was designed by Cesar Pelli & Associates of the USA after selection through an international design competition held in 1991. It is located at the North-west corner of the 100-acre development, the Towers standing majestically at 452 metres have been acknowledged by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat as the tallest buildings in the world.

Suria KLCC is Malaysia's premier shopping complex, it offers an array of goods and services to please and pamper the needs of shoppers; from fashion, entertainment, arts & culture to local delicacies and international gourmets.

Set in the heart of Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle, Suria KLCC is surrounded by hotels, office buildings, a scenic park and dancing fountains, promising hours of leisurely pleasure. From whichever entrance you take, the excitement hits you the minute you step into the sensational splendour and diversity of the centre.

There is a 58.4 metre sky bridge at levels 41 and 42 links the Twin Towers. The unique double-deck sky bridge stands 170 metres above street level with its arch support forming a symbolic gateway to the city centre. The sky bridge is opened to publics between 8.30am - 7.00pm every Tuesday to Sunday.

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