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"Kuala Lumpur" a Kuala Lumpur Travel Page by phil_uk_net

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Kuala Lumpur Pages by phil_uk_net


"Kuala Lumpur" a Kuala Lumpur Travel Page by phil_uk_net
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phil_uk_net   
Enjoying life in Thailand ...


Real Name: Phil
Lives In: Brentwood, UK
Member Since: Mar 10, 2002
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Page Views: 3,006            Last Visit to Kuala Lumpur: January, 2003      

Kuala Lumpur

by phil_uk_net - last update: Mar 12, 2003

A mix of old and new, where East meets West

Old and new, East and West
Some people say that all big cities are the same but of course they are not and they all have their own identities.

The Muslim presence in KL is quite noticeable, in the people and architecture. You will see a lot of women with veiled heads and lots of minarets on the buildings - more reminiscent of the Middle East than the Far East. There are also some remnants of Malaysia's colonial past with English style buildings and patches of grass that were unmistakeably cricket pitches at one time.
Chinatown

The ethnic mix

As with other cities in this region there are large Chinese and Indian communities that add their own flavour to the surroundings.

My personal impression

It is unfair to make rash statements and draw conclusions after only staying in a place for a short time, but I will anyway!

KL seemed to me to have a point to prove - possibly to the rest of the world but more likely to its nearest neighbours. This came across while visiting the modern areas and noting, for instance, the importance of the height of buildings etc. It appeared to be a very important thing to the Malaysians that the Petronas Towers and TV tower are some of the highest structures of their kind in the world. I noted lots of propaganda about the significance of these buildings and how they signify the development of Malaysia and its future potential on the world stage. Personally, I'm not convinced by some steel and concrete structures.

Another case in point is the monorail system that is being built. I talked to a few locals who told me that it wouldn't be of much use. The impression I got was that KL has to have one because it is a (perceived) sign of a modern, futuristic city. It reminded me a lot of the famous Simpsons monorail episode!

KL is quite different from Bangkok and Singapore if you are travelling there from one of these places but still worth staying in for a few days.
Malaysian flags

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

Pros:"Has an interesting blend of cultures"
Cons:"Not as welcoming as other parts of Asia"
In A Nutshell:"Good to visit but doesn't compare with Bangkok"
phil_uk_net's Kuala Lumpur Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 6 - Photos: 6
 
Restaurants
Tips: 2 - Photos: 1
Hotels & Accommodations
Tips: 3 - Photos: 3
 
Nightlife
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
Off The Beaten Path
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
 
Transportation
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
Local Customs
 
Packing ListsShopping
Tips: 4 - Photos: 4
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips
Tips: 25 - Photos: 25

Comments for phil_uk_net about Kuala Lumpur
mary2u99 Thu Feb 22, 2007 09:11 UTC
 It's true everyone want to see the Petronas Twin Tower. On my flight back from Netherland this Swedish lady sitting next to me who is on a stopover flight was so excited to see it too. :-) Great page.
petertheobald Sat Sep 17, 2005 14:01 UTC
 useful review on Master Tan and Wong! name changed, address is same, service is just as good as described... must visit rather than the other "foot rubbing" places
Cemerlang Sat Mar 27, 2004 14:16 UTC
 Hmm ... I have these friends from Liverpool and London keep on coming back every year for shopping. Most of them are in their 20s. I guess you must have missed something on your trip. Anyway, a great review!!
mrclay2000 Tue Nov 11, 2003 04:46 UTC
 Mosques and minarets are usually enough to divert me, but this National Mosque is well, a little below the standard I knew in Turkey.
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