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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. 
Hiking at Bukit Tabur(1 comment)
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 LumpurKuala 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 FestivalEvery 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 LumpurAs 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 LumpurKL 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. ... moreInterview with long-term hostel guest John MansfieldAutomotive 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. ... moreHow to get from the airport to kuala lumpurFind all the different means (Bus, Train, Taxi) to get to this area in downtown Kuala Lumpur. ... morehow to get from KL to KLIA / LCCT AirportThe 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 CelebrationPictures 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 ... moreKuala Lumpur - chaos and harmonyA 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. ... moreKuala 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
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Red Palm Hostel, Kuala Lumpur
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.
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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 LumpurTemple 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.
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KuchingCarpenter Street |
Kuala Lumpur
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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.
