Kuala Lumpur is a modern, noisy, magnificent, green city, the capital of Malaysia and direct evidence of how the Southeast Asian nation of the last decades turns his way from the developing world to modern developed.
Kuala Lumpur stands at the confluence of the Kling and Gombak rivers, 30 kilometers from the west coast of the Malaysian Peninsula. Often the Malaysians themselves reduce the name to Kl. Kuala Lumpur is not as old as some other capital and cities of Southeast Asia. But he still claims to be a historical place of great interest - he keeps Luxury mosques, temples and architecture of the colonial era.
Past and present here, in modern architecture next to old structures. In the city you can see amazing modern buildings, such as iconic Towers Petronas (Petronas Twin Towers) , the highest twin towers in the world, and Menara Kuala Lumpur , The fourth in the world in the height of the television.
The city, together with its surrounding valley Klang - the most fast-growing in Malaysia. It is spreading to nearby territories very hastily. It is possible to feel the skin and hear - train moan, buzz cars in traffic jams, fly in the sky. The transport structure is constantly expanding and upgraded.
As will be immediately noticeable to travelers, the city with a population of more than 1.8 million people - an extremely fascinating and cosmopolitan - Malayians, Hindus live here, representatives of small ethnic groups, as well as expata from Europe. Nearby Malacca many centuries ago was the main transit point of world trade routes, however, today more than the more young Kuala Lumpur is attracted more attention.
It is not surprising that one of the key sights of the city is local food.
Locals love to eat, more and more often, this means that the food system in the city is developed converted. You can choose any place in the shower and pocket - from the cheapest street eaters and kiosks scored "Roti Canai" (thin puff of fresh pellet, usually eaten for breakfast) and sharp diverse sauces, to expensive restaurants in international cuisine.
Famous city street Jalan alor. Filled with tens of Chinese restaurants and food trays. Are you sure that you still want to potatoes fries and chicken fences? After all, there is so much interesting and tasty!
Despite the fact that Muslims live in the country for the most part, alcohol is quite accessible in Kuala Lumpur. By the way, in the city surprisingly Stormy nightlife. Beautiful and crowded Square Changkat Bukit Bintang Chit with stylish bars and pretty restaurants.
Enjoy the dinner or a boar of something like that, or follow, for example, in Sky Bar The Traders Hotel is an even more elegant and interesting place, with expensive drinks, but stunning views of the city, from which the heart freezes.
Tropical city of tatt and natural attractions, including Park Lake Gardens, Which spread out on the territory in more than 90 hectares, and pleases guests with singing birds and the beauty of botanical gardens. Or Buckit Nanas (Bukit Nanas) , one of the oldest virgin forests in the world within the city.
Immerse yourself in the Malaysian culture by visiting the National Museum, where the whole story is like on the palm. Or go B. ISLAMIC ARTS MUSEUM Museum (Islamic Arts Museum) With its 7,000 artifacts of a permanent collection. Or look at the country's culture from another aspect and stroll through the central market.
By the way, Shopping - Another important side of Kuala Lumpur. Supermarkets, colorful local markets and sparkling megamols. Many tourists are rushing to the popular Petaling Street Market. - But there is quite noisy and somehow restless; it's better to wander around the chinese quarter Chinatown. which retains the real atmosphere of the past.
The main directions of interest to tourists - CITY Center Kuala Lumpur (KLCC) Where most shopping centers are located, Chinatown, Petaling Street Street, where trade is open in the open sky, and all buildings are still in colonial style. Neighboring Bukit Bintang has turned into an area for tourists "on the budget" - cheap hotels, restaurants and shops.
Next to Kuala Lumpur there is a mining of tin and stone coal. Actually, thanks to these deposits, the city and began to grow and develop. Because of the mines, rivalry between local residents and gangs of Chinese immigrants, mainly from the province of Fujian and Guangdong, who settled closer to prosperous mines, and this led to a production stop.
I had to intervene the British. They put everything around the shelves, settled everything and by the end of the 19th century Kuala Lumpur was an already thriving city and became the capital of the Federized Malay states. During World War II, in early 1942, the city was captured by the Japanese and was occupied until 1945. Until 1957, the city was the center of the British colony, then continued by the main city of the Malaya Federation, and from the 83rd, Malaysia.
The terrible days came in Kuala Lumpur in May 1969. They were Chinese-Malay violence on religious soil, which led to multiple sacrifices. Officially, the death rate was understood in the media, but Western sources indicate a number close to 600, and most of the victims were Chinese. Four decades later, those unrest remain like a scar on the soul of the city.
In 2001, the administrative and judicial functions of the Government were moved to another federal territory, Putrajay, but the legislative authorities are still in Kuala Lumpur. Most embassies are still here, and the city continues to be the economic center of the country.
In Kuala Lumpur, many come for a short time, use it as an intermediate point in the journey - and further go to conquer green arrays. But why not stay in the city longer, feel his atmosphere, try his wonderful food and learn more about culture? And then, perhaps you will become another fan of Kuala Lumpur and want to come back here more than once.