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Stopover in Kuala Lumpur |
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Popular Days Out
The
most popular day trip from KL is to the limestone Batu Caves. It
lies a short distance north of town and the main cave has to be
accessed by climbing up 272 stairs. Hindu devotees perform annual
pilgrimages during the festival of Thaipusam by putting on kavadis
and climbing these steps to the temple inside the main cave.
About 45 minutes away from the heart of the city is Genting Highlands, practically a city in itself. Billed as the City of Entertainment, it boasts a family-oriented theme park, internationally-billed shows and live performances, a golf course, an equestrian course, and the country's only licensed casino. The highlands resort offers low-cost but very comfortable bus services at frequent intervals from several main destinations in KL. The buses travel up to a cable-car station midway and visitors continue their journey on what Genting claims to be the fastest cable-car in the region.
Other sights that are good for photo opportunities are the Jamek Mosque at the confluence of Klang and Gombak Rivers, the National Mosque, the Thean Hou Temple and the Sri Mahamariaman Temple. Do note that visitors to these places of worship are requested to dress appropriately. In mosques, visitors may be asked to put on a robe to cover exposed arms and legs, before allowed entry.
Close to downtown is the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, a 10.5ha natural jungle sanctuary for birds and wildlife, with footpaths for visitors. The Lake Gardens area contains a few pleasant attractions. There is the National Monument (a war monument featuring a dramatic and stunning bronze statue designed by American sculptor Felix de Weldon to commemorate the fallen heroes during World War II and the Emergency period of communist unrest), the KL Bird Park which boasts of being the largest open aviary in the region, the Orchid Garden, the Hibiscus Garden, the Butterfly and Deer Park and the National Planetarium, with several exhibits of interest (although not that many to warrant a specific visit - go there if you are in the vicinity and have time to spare). The planetarium is joined by a pedestrian bridge to the National Museum.
The Sultan Abdul Samad building (where the Supreme Court sits) and the old Railway Station, Parliament House are interesting pieces of architecture that never fail to attract shuttlebugs.
KL is fast becoming a city of museums, with a myriad of sites for the curious stopover visitor, sited about the Lake Gardens vicinity. The National Museum contains exhibits of Malaysia's past and holds themed exhibits seasonally. There are also the Tunku Abdul Rahman Memorial housing the memorabilia of the nation's first prime minister, including his first office(!) and official residence; the Tun Abdul Razak Memorial in memory of the second Prime Minister (the memorial itself is housed in the official residence of the Prime Minister); the Police Museum; the Islamic Art Museum; the Civil Service Memorial; the KL Natural History Museum.
Sunway Lagoon theme park is fun for the young and old. The park has water rides, rollercoasters, a wildlife section, an extreme section and a scream section. All these features in one park make Sunway Lagoon the perferct attraction. In the wildlife section you can see entertaining shows involving the animals and in the extreme park you can paintball, ride on quad bikes and much more. There are rides for all in the amusement park and in the water park you can surf, swim and splash. Prices are reasonable.
For more details, visit www.sunway.com.my/lagoon
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