Highlights of KL

Ben van Wijnen

The Petronas Towers. (Petronas is the oil company of Malaysia) Up till now it's the highest building in the world (452m). If you have booked a hotel in the "Golden Triangle" you can walk to the twin towers easily. There's no need to take a taxi. From everywhere you can see the twin towers. Sometimes the upper part of the Petronas towers are hidden in the clouds. On top there are masts with flashing lights to warn the pilots. You can visit the Petronas towers for free. You can't go up to the top, but only to the connecting bridge (look at the photo). Go early, because you can visit these towers only a few times a day. Beneath  the towers is the Suria-shopping complex .It has six levels. There is also an oil-museum, conference hall, concert hall, cinema, a mosque  and a hotel. The Petronas Towers have 88 floors and the connecting bridge is at the 42nd floor. Pay attention: it's not anymore the highest  building in the world. That's the Bamboo Shoot in Taiping (Taiwan). The highest tower in the world is the CN-tower in Toronto. So there's a difference between a building (with working people) and a tower. Actually the KL-tower (telecommunication tower) in Kuala Lumpur , which is 421 meter,  is even higher  because it's built on a hill

The top of the Petronas Towers is on this picture under construction.  In the background you see the KL-tower: the telecommunication tower (421m)  and built on a hill. The Petronas Towers have 32,000 windows. Totally there are 77,00 square meters. And they have to be cleaned! From the top some "gondola's" are going down to clean the windows. From these gondola's the window cleaners are doing their job. All together those two towers have 11 gondola's. Every day the windows cleaners are doing eight floors. It takes five months to clean the entire building, so it's done twice a year. At the top there's a red light to warn all the planes not to come close. Have a look at the best hotel reservations in KL and save up to 75% OFF normal room rates. Who doesn't want that??? <click here>

Batu Caves The Batu Caves are just on a short distance from Kuala Lumpur (taxi!!).  To reach the Cave you must climb 272 steps. At the beginning  here are monkeys begging for food and of course, you can buy it down there. In this Hindu temple they celebrate the Taipusam Festival. The Taipusam festival of faith and endurance is celebrated in Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, and South Africa. One of the biggest and most famous celebrations is at Batu Caves. Right in the middle is a whole. There you can see the cloud or the sun.

Batu Caves is actually a cave that consists of three caves, formed by the massive limestone natural formations.  The most impressive and largest of the three caves is the Temple Cave, which has 272 steps to climb to the top.

Supreme Court  Also called the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, a Moorish-looking buiding,  painted in salmon colours and which, apart from being the most photographed site, has had a lot of attention from the  international press lately. Its functioning clock tower (40m) has witnessed many historical milestones and is a faithful host of important national events, like the annual National Day Parade. Opposite the building is the Merdeka Square, where's very tall flagstaff. And, of couse, the Selangor Club!

China Town China town is at Petaling Street. That's the best place for testing your bargaining skills. Here, stalls and wares are spread along the street ( especially in the evening) with colourful goods. Without visiting Petaling street, your stay in KL isn't complete, simply because the oriental atmosphere is unique and full of life. The stall owner is usually so convinced that the price he's giving you is the best ( while it isn't ) ...so be careful, an advice that I will give you....whatever price he gives you, give him half, and he'll accept after some minutes of bargaining!!

KL-tower The KL-tower is 421 meter long. Go up with the elevator and you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view,  overlooking the city of Kuala Lumpur. Actually this tower is more beautiful than the Petronas Towers. At the top you'll get a head-set, where they explain everything you see in KL and that's a lot!

The railway station of Kuala Lumpur (below) We wanted to take the train to Butterworth, but the train departs only twice a day. Our train would leave the station at 16.00 hours. This meant that we had to travel in the dark for a long time, so we didn't do it.  The station was built in 1910.  It underwent extensive renovations in 1986. It is equipped with air-conditioned waiting halls, snack kiosks, money changing booths, souvenir shops, restaurants and a tourist information counter.

Masjid Jamek (left) Located in Jalan Tun Perak. This mosque is built on the birth-place of Kuala Lumpur where the two rivers Klang and Gombak meet.   This is the very spot where the first settlers of Kuala Lumpur built their shacks.  The mosque was built in 1907 and officially opened by the Sultan of Selangor on 23rd of December in 1909. The Masjid Jamek Kuala Lumpur is the oldest mosque in KL. It was designed by Arthur Benison Hubbock, an architectural assistant in the Public Works and Survey Department, who was intrigued and inspired by the Mogul architecture of India.