Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Pulau Kapas

Pulau Kapas is a small island located only about 6km off Marang in the east coast state of Terengganu (about 1h north of Kuala Terengganu). It has quite and relaxed atmosphere because it is bypassed by the majority of the backpacker circuit looking for a more remote place like the Perhentian Islands. Pulau Kapas only get fairly busy on the weekends when locals come to island. There are a few good snorkeling spots around the island. All accommodations and beach are on the west coast facing the mainland. The west coast is the weather side has no sand beach, only rocks - it can be reached after a short walk through the jungle. Pulau Kapas shuts down during the monsoon season between November and February.

Langkawi

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of Malaysia’s Kedah state, but are adjacent to the Thai border. By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with a population of some 45,000. The island is a declared duty-free zone.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the largest city of Malaysia. Being a young city (founded only in 1857) it developed fast into a bustling metropolis of 1.5 million people (6 million including the satellite cities in the Klang Valley). Kuala Lumpur, or simply KL (as it is it called by Malaysians), literally means “muddy estuary” in Bahasa Malaysia. With good and cheap accommodation, great shopping and even better food in this multi-cultural melting pot, increasing numbers of travellers are discovering this little gem of a city.
Having been in the shadow of other big cities in the region like Bangkok and Singapore, KL was put back on the map for good with the opening the Petronas Twin Towers in 1997, until 2004 the highest and still one of the most impressive buildings in the world. Though, the sights are not what makes this city unique, it’s KL itself and it’s mixture of people and visitors.

Excellent alternative online resources:

Wikipidia:Kuala Lumpur

Hiking at Bukit Tabur

It is hardly noticeable from the city centre - especially on hazy days - but Kuala Lumpur is surrounded by lush hills, rock formations and water reservoirs. Escaping the the huzzle and buzzle of the city is a mere 30min drive away. One the most spectacular hikes is up on Bukit Tabur, part of a quarz ridge in the north-east of the city at Taman Melawati. ... more

Dangers and Scams in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a safe place for travellers in general. However, there a few scams and dangers but if you are aware of them you should be having a pleasant stay in this vibrant city. ... more

Malaysian GP 2009 (Formula 1 in Sepang)

The countdown is on for the Grand Prix in Malaysia on April 3-5. The Malaysian GP will take place for the 11th time already from at the Sepang track, about 1h south of Kuala Lumpur. It will be the second race of the season after season opener in Melbourne the week before. ... more

Thaipusam Festival

Every year end of January / beginning of February it is time for the spectacular Thaipusam Festival which is expected to draw more than one million devotees and visitors to the Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur but there are also precessions in Georgetown/Penang and Singapore. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community. Especially images of devotees piercing their cheeks, tongue, face or other suitable body parts with sharp objects make this event memorable. ... more

Long-Distance buses from Kuala Lumpur

As in any Asian country, travelling by bus is the most popular option. They are many bus operators competing to take you anywhere within the peninsula and to Singapore and Hatyai, Thailand. Most bus leave from Puduraya Bus Station and a few other bus stations... ... more

Malls, Malls, Malls - Shopping in Kuala Lumpur

KL has an incredible density of big shopping centres. It seems like every other year a new mall is opening trying to outdo the others in size or design. Here's a list of the favourites among locals and tourists with more information and pictures of each shopping centre. ... more

Interview with long-term hostel guest John Mansfield

Automotive consultant John Mansfield from England has been a guest of Red Palm Hostel in Kuala Lumpur since August 2006, on and off. I sat down with him to talk about his vision to set up a Motorsports University at the Sepang F1 Circuit, what he likes about Malaysia, travelling the country and his outlook to the upcoming Grand Prix. ... more

How to get from the airport to kuala lumpur

Find all the different means (Bus, Train, Taxi) to get to this area in downtown Kuala Lumpur. ... more

how to get from KL to KLIA / LCCT Airport

The Kuala Lumpur Airport (KLIA - Kuala Lumpur International Airport) is about 45km south of KL. The LCCT is the low cost carrier terminal for budget airlines like Air Asia. It's locally at the same complex but there is no direct connection between the 2 terminals at the moment. There are various ways to get there from KL and to get to KL from there. It takes about 1h by taxi (plus or minus depending on traffic), around 1h15min by bus and 28min by KLIA Express (KLIA - KL Sentral) to get to the Airport / to KL. Read the details... ... more

Chinese New Year Celebration

Pictures of the Chinese New Year Parade in Kuala Lumpur and some informationen about this major holiday in Malaysia. ... more

Day trip to Chiling Waterfall (north of Kuala Lumpur)

A recommended day trip to the Chiling Waterfall north of Kuala Lumpur with the nature guide Happy Yen. Including visit of Buddhist Temple, Lunch, jungle trek to waterfall, hot spring and dinner ... more

Kuala Lumpur - chaos and harmony

A story by german traveller Chris about the crazy KL traffic and the day where all cars disappeared miraculously. And a story where they escaped from the heavy in a chinese tea shop. Read the original german story here. ... more

Kuala Lumpur - everything fake or what?

a story by Andreas (Germany) written down at Red Palm Hostel in November 2004 about fake DVDs and watches and the art of negotiation. The original story and many more stories and picture on the german website MoveTivation.net Internetseite ... more

Things to Do & See
Petronas Twin Towers / KLCC
The 88-floor building was completed in 1997 and remained the highest building in the world until 2004 with 452m. The Kuala Lumpur Center includes not only the famous twin towers, but also a shopping mall (Suria KLCC), a movie theatre, the new aquarium (KLCC Aquaria) and a park. ... more
Menara KL (KL Tower)
TV Tower (421m tall), standing on a hill, 94m above the sea level, offering higher ground than the twin towers and the highest view of the city. ... more
Old Railway Station
Moorish-style structure built in 1910 is no longer the jumping-off point for long-distance destinations, but its charms remain. ... more
Dataran Merdeka
The Dataran Merdeka (or Merdeka Square) is the old colonial heart of Kuala Lumpur. It was here, in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building that the Union Flag was lowered and the Malayan flag hoisted for the first time at midnight on August 31, 1957. Merdeka = Independence. ... more
Kampung Baru
Oldest malay residential area in KL with still authentic traditional Malay wooden houses and the the backdrop of the close-by downtown skyline ... more
Masjid Jamek
Masjid Jamek is the oldest mosques in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is located at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak River and was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback. ... more
Petaling Street (Chinatown)
mostly Chinese roofed street market (food, bargain for fake branded goods) ... more
Little India
Downtown area with street markets, many indian fabric shops and food. ... more
Central Market
Indoor market for souvenir hunters, Malaysian souvenirs, art and handicraft etc. ... more
Thean Hou Buddhist Temple
Picturesque Chinese temple with impressive architecture. It is situated on a hill offering excellent view over the city. ... more

... view all things to do & see

HOSTELS
Red Palm
Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
Red Palm was voted the best hostel in Asia in 2006. It′s a small, relaxed and cozy place and this website wouldn′t exist without Red Palm. ... more
Equator Hostel
Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
Equator Hostel is located right next to Times Square shopping mall in a 3-storey post-colonial in Bukit Bintang. ... more
Number Eight Guesthouse
Guesthouse, Kuala Lumpur
Number Eight Guesthouse is located in Bukit Bintang and considered a boutiqe guesthouse, somewhere between a hostel and a hotel. ... more
Travellers Palm
Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
Hostel in Bukit Bintang with a great location and a homely atmosphere and good friends. ... more
Pondok Lodge
Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
"Oldest Hostel" in Bukit Bintang serving Visitors since 1997 with roof-top terrace. ... more
Rainforest Bed & Breakfast
Guesthouse, Kuala Lumpur
Guest house in Bukit Bintang ... more
Pujangga Homestay
Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
Guesthouse in Bukit Bintang ... more

... view all hostels

LINKS

Kuala Lumpur Links

KL-photos.com
Kuala Lumpur Photos
Kuala Lumpur Warnings or Dangers
on virtualtourist.com
VisionKL.com
city lifestyle magazine
Tung Shin Hospital
hospital near Puduraya bus terminal with wing for western medicine and wing for traditional medicin
Nature Escapes Kuala Lumpur
Great Ideas to get out of the city and explore nature
List of Nightlife venue
venue in alphabetical order
Time Out Kuala Lumpur
KL city guide
KL-Lifestyle.com.my
KL Lifestyle magazine
world66.com: Kuala Lumpur
User administrated travel guide
Rimba.um.edu.my
Rimba Ilmu is a tropical botanical garden, set up in the University of Malaya campus in Kuala Lumpur

see all links

Red Palm Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
Red Palm Hostel
The award-winning Red Palm Hostel Kuala Lumpur - a special, cozy, personal and small place for backbackers of all ages - is also the birthplace of backpackingmalaysia.com and maybe your home during your visit in Kuala Lumpur.
CALENDAR
Kuala Lumpur





Travel Tips
The infamous poker scam
For the past few years there has been this scam going on in Kuala Lumpur and other Asian cities (I've been approached in Bangkok once too). Be careful when a stranger approaches you with a line like "Oh, I like your tattoo where did you get this done?" and then they ask where you're from. Then, coincidentally, they have family member going that way too to study or something. Anyway, in the end you'll be invited to their house and before you know you are in the middle of a poker game and will be forced to withdraw all your money. I know it's weird and you could never fall for that, but I've seen enough travelers losing thousands (!) of dollars this way and they couldn't even remember how it all happened. So be carefully and just ignore them, this people are good.

By Tilo on July 24, 2007

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Kuala Lumpur
Temple near Chinatown
STORIES
I got it from my Mamak
Mamak stalls are restaurants in Malaysia mostly run by muslim Indians. Traditionally they started out as road side stalls but due their importance to Malaysian social life, hence their number of customer, there are big mamak restaurants and even chains now too. Mamak stalls are a true multi-racial melting pot, whether they be Malay, Indian, Chinese or others, this is place where everybody meets for a snack or a drink with friends, business clients, breakfast or just watching football at night. Many mamak stalls operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. You want your Roti Canai and Teh Tarik at 4am in the morning? No problem. Welcome to Malaysia! Found out what "mamaking" is all about.
PRESS ARTICLES
Malaysia documented “Discover Malaysia - the backpacker’s trail (The Star)

Malaysia truly features a melting pot of cultures with multi-ethnic traditions and culinary diversity. In line with Visit Malaysia 2007, film director Michael Chick has produced a TV series that focuses on the country’s rich heritage, culture and nature.  Chick was inspired to produce the independent series after hearing complaints from tourists about how fake some Malaysian tourism advertisements looked.

RANDOM GALLERY PHOTO
Kuching
Carpenter Street