The strong modernization process clearly shows the growth of Malaysia, especially in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. The former Zinncamp at the confluence of the muddy rivers Klang and Gombak has today almost two million inhabitants and is a very modern city. A stay here is worthwhile because of the numerous sights and shopping possibilities.
journey
Malaysia tourism shows an increasing trend of international visitors. From Germany, the multi-award-winning Malaysia Airlines flies non-stop to Kuala Lumpur, as well as Lufthansa via Bangkok, Singapore Airlines via Singapore and Thai Airlines via Bangkok. The airport of Kuala Lumpur is located about 60 kilometres outside the city centre and there is a good connection by train as well as numerous bus connections. The best known companies are Plusliner, Transnational and Aeroline.
Places of interest and shopping
Probably the city's most famous sightseeing attractions are the 450-metre-high Petronas Twin Towers, including the large Suria shopping centre. Other recommendable centers are the Midvalley Mega Mall, Kuala Lumpur's largest shopping mall and the most notable are the markets in Chinatown. Here the trade does not start until after noon, but the most interesting is in the evening. The market is open until 2 a. m. and the most important characteristic that the market visitor needs is to act. English is well understood and if you persist, prices can be reduced to one tenth of the original price. You can buy very cheaply, the selection is huge, but you should not forget that most of the goods are counterfeit. On this market you should pay close attention to pickpockets. If you want to have a complete view of the whole city, you should go to the Hulu Langkat look-up point. From there you have a great view over Kuala Lumpur. This excursion is especially worthwhile at dusk.
Cultural activities
In Kuala Lumpur you can find different cultures and religions. You can see mosques, Christian churches, Chinese pagodas and Indian Hindu temples all over the city. The Batu Caves are located about 15 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur. These limestone caves are home to several Hindu temples. The existing museums also offer this diversity. There is a Museum of Islamic Art, a Museum of Asian Arts and the Malaysian National Museum.
Hotels and Hostels
There are several hotels in Kuala Lumpur and in all categories. The Mandarin Oriental near the Twin Towers is the city's oldest five-star hotel. The hotels Westin, Marriot and Ritz-Carlton are located in the popular district of Bukit Bintang. One of the top hotels is the Hotel Imperial with its colonial charm. In Chinatown and the area around the bus station there are many smaller, cheap hotels and hostels. Overnight accommodation prices start from around ten euros.