"Kuala Lumpar - City on the Muddy River" Kuala Lumpur by IreneMcKay

If I'm being honest, I can say Kuala Lumpar is not my favourite place in Malaysia, but it does have some interesting sights and pleasant areas to stroll through.

For me the best feature of Kuala Lumpur is its Moorish architecture, for example around Merdeka Square and around the old railway station there are some stunning buildings.

Malay women wear beautiful colourful outfits

Kuala Lumpur lies at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers. Its name means muddy cofluence. KL was first settled in 1857 by Chinese tin prospectors. It started life as a rowdy wild west sort of town.

In 1881 the centre of government was moved from Klang to KL and in 1896 KL became the capital of the Federated Malay States.

The Japanese overran Malaysia during World War II. After the war in 1957 Malaysia's independence from Britain was declared in Merdeka Square.

Since then KL has continued to develop rapidly.

Colourful houses in little India

The main sights in KL are the old colonial style buildings around Merdeka Square, mosques, Chinese temples, Little India, Chinatown, the old Malay area of Kampung Baru and the beautiful and extensive Lake Gardens.

• Pros:The old Moorish architecture