Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia that are made up of Malays, Chinese, and Indians, boasting gleaming skyscrapers, colonial architecture, charming locals, and a myriad of natural attractions. Divided into numerous districts, its main hub is called the Golden Triangle which comprises Bukit Bintang, KLCC and Chinatown. KL is widely recognised for numerous landmarks, including Petronas Twin Towers (the world’s tallest twin skyscrapers), Petaling Street flea market, and Batu Caves, which is over 400 million years old.
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Climate
Malaysia is typically tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons. For Kuala Lumpur in January the daily average maximum temperatures is 32°C with the average minimum 23°C, while in June the average maximum is 33°C with a minimum of 24°C.
It also receives plenty of rainfall from October to March. The temperature during the day averages out to between 31 to 33˚C, but rarely exceeds 39˚C. At night, temperatures can drop to as low as 24˚C.
Language
The official and national language of Malaysia is Bahasa Melayu. English is also widely understood and spoken, as it is a compulsory subject taught in schools. While English is considered the working language in offices and businesses, Chinese dialects (primarily Cantonese and Mandarin) and Tamil are also widely understood and spoken in KL.
Currency
The Malaysian ringgit is the official currency for Malaysia. The word ringgit remains the same in all uses (e.g., 1 ringgit, 10 ringgit, 45 ringgit). A ringgit is further divided into 100 sen by coins in denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50 sen. Ringgit notes are available in denominations of: RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50, RM100, RM500 and RM1000. They can be easily exchanged with your foreign currency for Malaysia Ringgit at moneychangers.
Transportation
Transportation in Kuala Lumpur is diverse and efficient with an extensive network of buses, light rail commuter trains, and metered taxis that can be chartered within the city centre and beyond.
KTM Komuter train services run every 15 to 20 minutes from 06:00 to 23:45 and use KL Sentral as a hub. There are two lines: Tanjung Malim–Sungai Gadut and Batu Caves–Pelabuhan Klang.
Light Rail Transit, as well as the buses, Rapid KL runs the Light Rail Transit system. There are three lines: Ampang–Sentul Timur, Sri Petaling–Sentul Timur and Kelana Jaya–Terminal Putra. You can even buy an all-day pass for RM7, which also covers you for Rapid KL buses.
Kuala Lumpur Monorail is the air-conditioned monorail that zips from KL Sentral to Titiwangsa, linking up many of the city’s sightseeing areas.
Taxis are also available in KL and the metered fare system is RM3.00 for the first 1 km and subsequent 150 metres is RM0.10.
Housing
Housing in Kuala Lumpur comes in many different forms and includes stand-alone houses (known as bungalows), semi-detached and terraced houses, and apartments and condominiums. Generally, condominiums are the most popular option in Kuala Lumpur, as they are secure, and often have amenities such as gyms, swimming pools and tennis courts.
Accommodation in Kuala Lumpur can be found through internet searches and by looking through local newspapers and For Rent publications. It’s recommended to view a few properties to get a sense of how much to pay for a certain kind of space.
The apartments are large and some places are near to shopping area. With just a five minute walk from monorail to the luxury shopping and foodie excitement from roadside cafes. The smallest unit is about 700 square feet, rented for around RM750/month unfurnished, and can go up for about RM1200/month.
Food
The street food of KL is predominantly a vibrant mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian. Although, influences from across South East Asia and beyond with Sumatran, Javanese, Japanese, Thai and Arabian are all in the pot.
Ranging from all-day hawker centres, food courts, and quaint coffee shops to fine-dining restaurants and posh restobars. As a melting pot of vibrant Asian cultures and traditions, Kuala Lumpur is well-regarded for its wide array of tantalising local delicacies. Here are some favourites among the different ethnic cuisines:
- Malaysian
Malay-satay (barbecued meat on skewers), Nasi Padang (rice served with a variety of side-dishes), Mee Siam (spicy noodles) and Nasi Lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk, served with anchovies and chili paste). Sambal, a fiery chilli-paste often accompanies a meal. - Chinese
Yaung Tau Foo (a dish of vegetables, seafood and meat-stuffed items), Chicken Rice (a fragrant dish of rice served with slivers of tender chicken), Laksa (noodles in a curry-like soup), Bak Kut Teh (stewed pork ribs), and Fried Kuey Teow. - Indian
Nasi Briyani (yellow rice cooked with spices and served with chicken or mutton) and Paratha (Indian pancake eaten with curry). Dosas, Idlis and Wadas are popular South Indian vegetarian snacks.
Education
Schools in Kuala Lumpur are divided into public, private and international schools. Due to numerous factors, including the language barrier and bureaucratic obstacles of enrolment at public schools, most parents living in Kuala Lumpur choose to send their children to a private or international school.
The education system is divided into preschool education, primary education, secondary education, post-secondary education and tertiary education. Education may be obtained from the multilingual public school system, which provide free education for all Malaysians.
Education is largely free in Malaysia’s public schools but a growing number of middle-class parents are forking out amounts up to RM100,000 annually to send their children to international schools. International schools are a popular choice for parents wishing to raise global citizens, as the curriculum are imported directly from the country of origin with an injection of local flavour.
Shopping
Shopping malls like Pavilion KL and Suria KLCC are also hosting a wide range of upmarket labels from all over the world. Plus, and there is the abundance of gastronomic delights – with thousands of hawker stalls, cafes, and restaurants serving every imaginable type of delicacies.
Bukit Bintang and KLCC area provide the most variety of high end fashion brands, with upmarket malls such as Pavilion KL and Suria KLCC home to international brands such as Jimmy Choo, Diane Von Fürstenberg and Louis Vuitton. Meanwhile, shopping centres like Low Yat Plaza and Berjaya Times Square are great places to shop on tech-related products, groceries and indie fashion finds.
For Street markets such as Petaling Street and handicraft emporium Central Market are the perfect places to get a real sense of the city’s local shopping scene.
Attractions
This modern city has several famous parks including Lake Gardens, KLCC Park and Titiwangsa Lake Gardens.
However, attractions in Kuala Lumpur comprises of so much more for those who want to look deeper into this fascinating city. From the colourful Petaling Street market in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur and the famous Sultan Abdul Samad Building in the city’s colonial quarter, to the indoor Aquaria KLCC Oceanarium and Petrosains Art Gallery in Suria KLCC.
Festivals and Events
Kuala Lumpur’s festivals and events are based on religious occasions – with many national holidays to celebrate these auspicious occasions. With the biggest and grandest of them all are Ramadan, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas. Besides that, there are also ‘mini’ cultural festivals that will take place during the year like the Awal Muharram, Chap Goh Mei, Thaipusam, and Easter.
Tourists can take part in photography competitions and enjoy the views of breath-taking flower exhibits during the floral festival bringing the floral parades and season to the already colourful city of Kula Lumpur. Celebrate speed and style in the world of automobiles during March/April with the Malaysian Grand Prix. Expect a shopping spree during the month of June where all the markets and complexes around the country take part is the shopping carnival where prices are slashed to the lowest. KL International Buskers Festival calls for a time of fun and frolic that coincides with the festive mood of December.