Kuala Lumpur often abbreviated to KL, is the capital and the largest city of Malaysia. The city proper, making up an area of 244 km2, has an estimated population of 1.6 million in 2006. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million. It is the fastest growing metropolitan region in the country, in terms of population as well as economy.
Kuala Lumpur is the seat of the Parliament of Malaysia, making it the country's legislative capital. The city was once home to the executive and judicial branches of the federal government, but they have since moved to Putrajaya starting in 1999. Some sections of the judiciary remain in the capital. The official residence of the Malaysian King, the Istana Negara, is also situated in Kuala Lumpur. The city is also the cultural and economic center of Malaysia due to its position as the capital as well as being a primate city.
Country: Malaysia
State: Federal Territory
Establishment: 1857
Granted city status: 1972
Granted Federal Territory: 1974
Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding urban areas form the most industrialized and economically the fastest growing region in Malaysia. Despite the relocation of federal government administration to Putrajaya, certain government’s important machineries such Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank of Malaysia), Companies Commission of Malaysia and Securities Commission as well as most embassies and diplomatic missions have remained in the city.
The architecture of Kuala Lumpur is a blend of old colonial influences, Asian traditions, Malay Islamic inspirations, modern, and postmodern architecture mix. Being a relatively young city compared with other Southeast Asian capitals such as Bangkok, Jakarta and Manila, most of Kuala Lumpur's colonial buildings were built toward the end of 19th and early 20th century. These buildings have Moorish, Tudor, Neo-Gothic or Grecian-Spanish style or architecture. Most of the styling has been modified to use local resources and acclimatized to the local climate, which is hot and humid all year around.
Kuala Lumpur is one of the host cities for the Formula One World Championship, the open-wheel auto racing A1 Grand Prix and the Motorcycle Grand Prix with races being held at Sepang International Circuit in the neighbouring state of Selangor, next to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. A five-star international show jumping equestrian event is held annually in the city. This annual event draws the world’s top riders and their prized horses to Malaysia. Other annual sport events hosted by the city include the KL Tower Run, the KL Tower International BASE Jump Merdeka Circuit and the Kuala Lumpur International Marathon. Kuala Lumpur is also one of the stages of the Tour de Langkawi cycling race. The annual Malaysia Open Super Series badminton tournament is held in Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur has a considerable array of sports facilities of international class after hosting the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Many of these facilities including the main stadium (with running track and a football field), hockey stadium and swimming pools are located in the National Sports Complex at Bukit Jalil while a velodrome and more swimming pools are located in Bandar Tun Razak, next to the Taman Tasik Permaisuri Lake Gardens. There are also soccer fields, local sports complexes, swimming pools and tennis courts scattered around the suburbs. Badminton and ‘takraw’ courts are usually included in community halls. Kuala Lumpur has several golf courses including the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) and the Malaysia Civil Service Golf Club in Kiara and the Berjaya Golf Course at Bukit Jalil.
The tourism sector also plays an important part in the city’s economy, providing income, employment and expanding business opportunities. As an extension of this, many large worldwide hotel chains have presence in the city. Kuala Lumpur has also developed into an international shopping destination with a wide variety of shopping centres and mega malls which carry well-known global and local brands. Conference tourism has also expanded in recent years and is becoming a very important component of the industry.
Major destinations include the House of Parliament, Kuala Lumpur Tower, Putra World Trade Centre, Dataran Merdeka, Tugu Negara, Istana Negara, Istana Budaya, mosque such as the Masjid Negara and the Federal Territory Mosque, Muzium Negara, and other tourist attractions including Aquaria KLCC, Makam Pahlawan, National Science Centre, Eye on Malaysia, Zoo Negara, Batu Caves, and events such as the Chinese cultural festivals at the Thean Hou Temple and the Thaipusam procession at the Sri Mahamariamman Temple. The Golden Triangle, the commercial hub of the city, contains the Petronas Twin Towers and has a distinctive nightlife. Trendy nightclubs, bars and lounges, such as Hard Rock Cafe, Zouk, Thai Club, Beach Club (voted Best Bar in Asia), Luna Bar, Rum Jungle, Nuovo, Espanda and many others are located within and around Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Ampang.
Unlike most other Asian cities, driving is the main mode of commuting in Kuala Lumpur. Hence, every part of the city is well connected by highways. As capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur has a comprehensive road network that leads to the rest of Peninsular Malaysia. High speed roadways, or expressways are tolled roadways, and motorist using these expressways have an option of paying by cash, or by stored value cards such as Touch 'n Go and SmartTAG.
In terms of air connectivity, Kuala Lumpur is served by two airports. The main airport, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), which is also the aviation hub of Malaysia, is located about 50 km south of city. The other airport is Subang Airport which used to be the main international airport serving the city until KLIA replaced it when it opened in 1998. The airport connects the city with direct flights to destinations in six continents around the world, and is the main hub for the national carrier, Malaysia Airlines. KLIA can be reached using the KLIA Ekspres high-speed train service from KL Sentral which takes only twenty-eight minutes, while travelling by car via highway will take about an hour.
Public transport on Kuala Lumpur and the rest of the Klang Valley covers a variety of transport modes such as bus, rail and taxi. The rapid transit system in Kuala Lumpur consists of three separate rail systems which meet in the city and extends towards other parts of Klang Valley. The rail systems are RapidKL RAIL, KL Monorail, and KTM Komuter. These lines have either underground or elevated stations around the city. The main rapid transit hub is KL Sentral which facilitates as an interchange station for the rail systems. KL Sentral is also a hub for intercity railway operated by KTM Intercity. It provides for rail services to as far as Singapore in the south, and Hat Yai, Thailand, in the north.
The largest public transportation operator in Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley is RapidKL. Since the take over from Intrakota Komposit Sdn Bhd, RapidKL has redrawn the entire bus network of Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley metropolitan area to increase ridership and improve Kuala Lumpur's public transportation system. The management of RapidKL has adopted the hub and spoke system to provide greater connectivity, and cut down the need of more buses. RapidKL is also the operator of three rapid transit rail lines in Kuala Lumpur, namely Ampang Line, Sri Petaling Line and Kelana Jaya Line.
TAXI - The city has an efficient transportation network tha enables visitors to move around conveniently and economically. Taxi services in the City taxis operate by meter. The current rate is RM2 for the first 5km and 10sen for each subsequent 200m. Radio taxis charge an additional RM1 for phone bookings. Taxis may be hired from taxi stands, hailed at the roadsides or through a radio-phone paging system.
TRAINS - The classic Moorish-style Kuala Lumpur Railway Station is air-conditioned and allows travellers to purchase tickets to almost anywhere in the Peninsula. The flexibility and convenience of traveling by train has now been reinforced by anew service -the KTM Komuter. It offers a speedy electric train service plying from Kuala Lumpur to as far as Port Klang, Rawang and Seremban. With 40 stops by the KTM Komuter and the normal express and mail trains spanning the peninsular, travellers now have a choice of an alternative mode of transport for both short and long distance journeys. (KTM Komuter Tel: 03 - 272 2828
BUS SERVICES - City buses in Kuala Lumpur operate services both within the city as well as to numerous points within the Klang Valley. generally, these buses provide air-conditioned comfort and are equipped with coin and card-operated automatic ticket dispensing machines.
The following are the major bus stations in the city:
Klang Bus Station To Petaling Jaya, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang, Shah Alam and Port Klang
Jalan Sultan Mohamad Bus Station To Bangsar, Petaling Jaya (Old Town), Kelana Jaya and Bukit Pantai Damansara.
Bangkok Bank Bus Stand To Selayang Baru, Segambut Dalam and Batu Caves
Kota Raya Shopping Complex/Menara Maybank To Jalan Cheras, Sri Petaling, Serdang lama, Taman Goodwood, Salak South, Sungei Besi, Kmapung Pandan, Bandar Tun Razak and Taman Maluri
Pudu Bus Station To Sri Kembangan, Sungei Besi Camp, Balakong, Taman Seri Serdang, Kajang
Lebuh Ampang Bus Stand To Taman Greenwood, Kampung Air Panas, Sri Gombak, Taman Setapak and Batu 12 Gombak
Chow Kit Bus Stand To Kampung Datuk keramat, Ulu Kelang, bangsar, Gombak and Jalan Genting Kelang
LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) - This is about the best mode of transportation when you want to move about in Kuala Lumpur city. The price is cheap & best of all, you are not caught in the usual chaotic traffic jams, which gets so very bad when it rains. Phase 1 of the LRT system (STAR) was completed in 1996. It covers a distance of 12 km and consist of 13 stations. Daily operating hours are between 6.00am to 12.00 midnight. The LRT system forms an integral part of the overall integrated urban tranportation system planned for Kuala Lumpur. Honestly, the best way to move around the city.
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