Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur City Centre

Malaysia's capital's colonial past is highlighted in Mederka Square with its historic Selangor Club, now called Dataran Merdeka in honour of Malaysia's independence. Nearby Chinatown is a great place to grab some food or visit the markets and you can relax at the Perdana Lake Gardens. To soak up some of the Islamic heritage of Kuala Lumpur then head to the National Mosque or the Islamic Arts Museum.

Golden Triangle

Just to the north east of the centre, the area known as the Golden Triangle is where the big bucks are splashed, so it's not surprising that two of Kuala Lumpur's iconic skyscrapers Menara KL Tower and the Petronas Towers are here. There are also plenty of swish shops and upmarket hotels. But it's not all about flashing the cash; the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park and the beautiful Friday Mosque are nearby too.

North Kuala Lumpur

Head to north Kuala Lumpur to shop with the locals. Here there are more markets and designer names are fewer and far between. The Kampung Baru area is known for its excellent food stalls and is a great place to grab a cheap and tasty meal. In fact, this is the area for bargains as most of the budget hotels are located here too, still within easy reach of the main sights of Kuala Lumpur. The area is particularly lively during Eid-ul Fitr and Divali. Further north lie the Batu Caves, the National Zoo and the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia.

South Kuala Lumpur

If you arrive by rail you'll be heading straight into the south of Kuala Lumpur where Little India awaits, full of cheap and delicious food. There are also numerous markets in the south of the city and the Istana Negara; the National Palace. The Bangasar region is known for its restaurants, with a wide range of cuisines catering for a range of budgets. If you want to shop til you drop the Megamall in Midvalley is sure to appeal! For some culture the Thean Hou Temple is also nearby, with the Mines theme park further out into the suburbs.

East Kuala Lumpur

The east of Kuala Lumpur is largely the domain of foreign embassies. The main draw in the east is Little Korea, with food, shops and culture aplenty. For more of the Islamic side of the city the Blue Mosque and the adjacent Garden of Islamic Arts are here too.

West Kuala Lumpur

The west of Kuala Lumpur is dominated by residential suburbs but in among the houses there are some deals to be had on cheap Kuala Lumpur hotels, as well as little pockets of great restaurants and nightlife. Further out west in the area of Bandar Sunway lies the Sunway Lagoon Theme Park and all its many adventures.