Kuala Lumpur is a fairly sprawling city and its residential suburbs seem to go on forever. The city also merges with the adjacent towns of Petaling Jaya (originally developed as KL_fs satellite town), Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, Klang and Port Klang, creating a huge conurbation called the Klang Valley.
The city can be divided up into the following areas, each of which offers a particular attraction or activity.
On the evening of 30 August 1957, crowds gathered at what was then known as the Selangor Club Padang (Green) to celebrate the historic event. As the clock on the State Secretariat Building (today's Sultan Abdul Samad Building) struck 12 midnight, the crowds, led by Tunku Abdul Rahman, shouted "Merdeka!" seven times. The Union Jack was lowered and the flag of the new country was raised to the strains of the national anthem, ''Negaraku''. The Selangor Club Padang is today known as Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square). The next day, the official handing over of power by the British was held at Stadium Merdeka (Independence Stadium).
The country was renamed Malaysia on September 16, 1963, when Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak joined the federation.}}
Founded only in 1857 as a tin mining outpost, Kuala Lumpur is fairly new as far as Malaysian cities go and lacks the rich history of George Town or Malacca. After rough early years marked by gang fighting, Kuala Lumpur started to prosper and was made capital of the Federated Malay States in 1896. Malaysia's independence was declared in 1957 in front of huge crowds at what was later named ''Stadium Merdeka'' (Independence Stadium), and Kuala Lumpur continued as the new nation's capital. The economic boom of the 1990s brought KL the standard trappings of a modern city, bristling with skyscrapers and modern transportation systems. Like most of Malaysia's big cities, about 55% of Kuala Lumpur's population is of Malaysian Chinese descent.
All scheduled jet flights, whether domestic or international, arrive at the '''Kuala Lumpur International Airport''' [http://www.klia.com.my ] ({{IATA|KUL}} {{ICAO|WMKK}}) located about 50km to the south-west of Kuala Lumpur, in the Sepang district of Selangor. The US$2.5bil modern structure of glass and steel was inaugurated in 1998 and has been ranked as one of the top airports of the world. It replaced the former Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah International Airport in Subang, which is now used for chartered and turboprop flights. Over 50 airlines call at KLIA.
A new '''Low Cost Carrier Terminal''' (LCCT) opened in March 2006, and is currently used by '''AirAsia''' [http://www.airasia.com ], '''Tiger Airways''', and '''Cebu Pacific''' [http://www.cebupacificair.com]. Though the LCC Terminal is across the runway tarmac from the Main Terminal Building, it is nearly 20km away by road. Frequent shuttle buses connect the two terminals, costing RM1.50 per trip. At the Main Terminal Building, catch the shuttles at the Bus Terminal on the Ground Floor of the Car Park C building, while at the LCCT, wait for the buses at the bus bays right in front of the terminal. If transferring from the KLIA Ekspres train, make your way to Level 2 and follow the signs to Car Park C and the Bus Station.
Be careful when locating the transfer bus from the main terminal to the LCCT, as taxi drivers giving the appearance of being airport customer service personnel will try to steer tourists to a mini-bus or taxi with a cost many times greater than the actual LCCT transfer bus. Frequently they will ask for a fee similar to a taxi ride into Kuala Lumpur, typically RM90.
'''Transfers - Main Terminal'''
By train:
By bus:
Alternatively, you can take the bus to the LCCT then connect to KLIA.
By road:
If you have your own wheels, KLIA is well connected to Peninsular Malaysia's expressway network. The airport is directly linked with the North South Expressway Central Link (known by its Malay abbreviation "Elite") about 70km or nearly one hour away from Kuala Lumpur city centre. Exit the expressway at '''KLIA''' interchange for both the Main Terminal and LCCT.
'''Transfers - Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT)'''
By train:
By bus:
By taxi:
By road:
The LCCT is about 20km from the Main Terminal and can be accessed via the KLIA circular or airport cargo road.
'''Getting there/away:''' The airport is 25 km from the city centre and the best way to get there is by taxi. '''Rapid KL''' bus '''U81''' (destination Mah Sing and Pekan Subang) from the Sultan Mohd Bus Hub next to the Pasar Seni LRT station goes past the airport. Fare is RM2 and the ticket is valid for the whole day for all RapidKL routes with "U" prefix.
Most important roads in Peninsular Malaysia lead to/from Kuala Lumpur. The city lies about midway along the '''North-South Expressway (Motorway)''' (NSE; route numbers E1 and E2) which runs from the Malaysia-Thailand border at Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah to Johor Bahru in the south, on the Malaysian side of the Causeway to Singapore. The main expressway exits for Kuala Lumpur on the NSE are '''Jalan Duta''' (from the north) and '''Sungai Besi''' (from the south).
The '''Karak Highway''' (E8), which later turns into the '''East Coast Expressway''', links Kuala Lumpur with the East Coast states of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.
For those who do not want to pay toll, Kuala Lumpur is on Federal Route One (the "Trunk Road") which, like the NSE, runs through all West Coast states of Peninsular Malaysia from Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah to Johor Bahru.
Those travelling along the West Coast Road (Federal Route Five) should leave the road at Klang and get to Kuala Lumpur via the Federal Highway.
Kuala Lumpur has several bus stations or terminals/terminuses/termini(Malay: ''stesen bas'' or ''hentian'') which handle long distance express bus services; many destinations are served by more than one terminal.
The biggest (and invariably most crowded) terminal, located in the city centre near Chinatown. Beware of pickpockets, ticket touts and other undesirables, especially late at night.
Access: Plaza Rakyat station (Ampang and Sri Petaling Lines) is within walking distance; many local bus stops nearby.
To/from Singapore:
Most (but not all) East Coast services use this terminal which is located to the north of the city centre on Jalan Putra.
Access: PWTC station (Ampang and Sri Petaling Lines) and Putra station (both KTM Komuter lines) are within walking distance.
Many north-bound '''Transnasional''' [http://www.nadicorp.com.my] express buses use this terminal which is located a distance to the west of the city centre on Jalan Duta.
Note that '''Airport Coach''' buses to '''Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)''' no longer use this terminal - they now use KL Sentral instead.
Access: the only convenient way is by taxi.
Now used as a bus terminal, but still handles commuter trains on both KTM Komuter lines, also accessible via Rapid KL City Shuttle No. 109, 115.
Plusliner luxury services (under the brand names "Nice" and "Platinum Service") are based here; destinations include Penang, Johor Bahru, Singapore, and Hat Yai in Thailand.
Deluxe long-distance buses leave from all over the place:
KTM's intercity trains arrive at the new KL Sentral [http://www.stesensentral.com] railway station, located (despite the name) a fair distance to the south of the city centre. Take the Putra LRT or KL Monorail to the city centre, or RM10 coupon taxi to most destinations in the city centre.
Most services are available at the station, including showers (RM5 for shower only, RM15 if you want a towel & toiletries too).
Kuala Lumpur is not located by the sea. However, there are ferry connections to/from Sumatra (Indonesia) at Port Klang, about 40 km west of Kuala Lumpur. See the Port Klang article for details on how to get there.
The first phase of Kuala Lumpur's ambitious public transport system is now complete, but there's still a fair amount of room for improvement. The city, like many developing cities, suffers from paralytic traffic jams periodically throughout the day. In rush hours, it may be worthwhile combining public transport by different means. For example: soar over traffic jams by monorail to the station closest to your destination and thereafter take a taxi for the final leg.
Kuala Lumpur's public transport system consists of 3 LRT (Light Rail Transit) lines operated by '''RapidKL''' [http://www.rapidkl.com.my], the semicircular '''KL Monorail''' [http://www.monorail.com.my] looping through the Golden Triangle and the '''KTM Komuter''' [http://www.ktmb.com.my/page.cfm?name=commuter] for trips to the outer northern, southern & western suburbs. Fares are cheap (RM1.2 and up), although connectivity between the lines is poor (read: you will also need to buy a new ticket for the next leg of your trip, and will likely get wet if it is raining since connections are not covered). The Touch 'n Go [http://www.touchngo.com.my] card, which can be purchased for RM10 at major stations, can now be used on all lines except the airport express. Some particularly convenient stations include:
A few quirks to be aware of: # The Kelana Jaya LRT was formerly known as "PUTRA", while the Sri Petaling and Ampang LRTs were formerly known as "STAR". Signage is still inconsistent but is slowly being updated. # The KL Monorail's "KL Sentral" station is now a bit of a haul from KL Sentral. The covered walkway and the parking lot that was once used for access has been closed off for construction. To get to the KL Monorail, you will have to walk around the parking lot which doubles the distance you had to walk before.
RapidKL's [http://www.rapidkl.com.my] '''City Shuttle''' (''Bas Bandaran'' in Malay, hence the B prefix in its route numbers) buses come in handy for tourists. The 10 routes cover most major areas in Kuala Lumpur city centre. The fare for City Shuttles is RM2 for the whole day. If you buy an integrated daily pass (''Sepadu'') for only RM7, you can ride any RapidKL bus and LRT for as many trips as you like for the whole day. Buy a ticket on your first ride and just flash your ticket at the driver for all subsequent rides.
All City Shuttles have a '''B prefix''' in their route numbers. Most City Shuttles operate from "hubs" which can be accessed by rail-based public transport. The routes are:
'''Other services'''
RapidKL also operates other bus routes which serve the far flung suburbs of the Klang Valley. There is little reason to use them unless you are going to be living in Kuala Lumpur for a period of time.
There are many other bus operators besides Rapid KL (Metrobus, Len Seng, Permata Kiara, Selangor etc) and a severe lack of signboards and other forms of passenger information makes Kuala Lumpur's complete bus network just a little too complicated for a short-term traveller to fathom. Specific bus information is given at each place of interest on this page.
With RM2 flagfall and RM0.10 for every 200m after the first 2 km, red and white '''normal taxis''' are not very expensive in Kuala Lumpur and are probably the best way to get around, at least outside the congested peak hours. Note that bright yellow '''premium taxis''' have a RM4 flagfall and also charge a bit more by the kilometre. There are also various small surcharges for radio call (RM2), baggage (RM1 per piece), etc.
Taxis in Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs are metered but when demand exceeds supply or during rush hour, they may ask for a fixed price before commencing travel. This is technically illegal (and reportable), and happens most often with what may be regarded as 'lazy taxi drivers' - that is, those that have so much time to spare that they are conveniently waiting outside hotels, long distance bus/train stations, or at typical tourist sites such as shopping centres and temples. It is cheaper to disregard these if they will not use a meter, and flag down a taxi that is cruising by (he will more likely be an honest driver) -although sometimes it is unavoidable that one must ride at a fixed-price. In that case, at least halve the price and work upwards. Surprisingly, around RM5 should cover most cross town trips of 15 minutes or so, even with traffic.
It is cheaper to use the meter through the day, although the opposite is true late at night, and especially after midnight, when the displayed meter price at the end of the journey is increased by 50% (ie. at 1am, if the meter shows RM12, then one has to pay RM12+6).
Tips for unmetered journeys: (1) If you live in an expensive hotel, learn the name of your street, or quote a nearby destination such as a restaurant or shopping mall, this might save you some money as it will lower the drivers expectations. (2) Once the haggling is done, hop into the taxi, sit back and don't question the driver - the fastest route between two points in Kuala Lumpur is almost never a straight line!
A few popular places (notably the airport, KL Sentral and Menara KL) enforce prepaid coupon systems, which generally work out more expensive than using the meter, but cheaper than bargaining.
Combining public transport with taxis can sometime make trips quicker if there are traffic jams.
Some taxi drivers will hang around near hotels offering tours similar to those offered by established companies. Feel free to listen to their offers and bargain with them if you like. Some of these cabbies are quite knowledgeable and you may end up with a specially tailored, private tour for less than the cost of an official tour.
If you get so off the beaten track that you need to call a cab:
Driving in Kuala Lumpur can be a nightmare, with heavy traffic, a convoluted web of expressways and poor signage to guide you through it all. Reckless drivers are common - Malaysia infamously has one of the highest road accident rates in the world. Suicidal motorcyclists will also keep you on your toes.
Do not park at the road of busy districts such as Bangsar, Bukit Bintang etc. Other cars might lock you in by parking next to you in the 2nd or 3rd lane. Use covered car parks or park a bit off the beaten path and then walk back.
Here is a walking tour (circle) that encompasses the main centre attractions (2-3 hours): starting at Chinatown (Petaling Street), identify on a map the following landmarks: the '''Maybank building''', the '''Times Square''' towers, the '''Petronas Twin Towers''' and '''KL Tower'''. Once on the street do a visual scan of these buildings. You'll likely not need the map henceforth. Proceed from the Maybank building (vertically striped wedge) up '''Jalan Pudu,''' which turns into '''Jalan Bukit Bintang''' (Royale Bintang Hotel) at about 1 km. Stop for coffee at '''Bintang Walk''', or check out the electronics mega-mall, '''Plaza Low Yat'''. Continue on '''Jalan Sultan Ismail''' towards Petronas. Be amazed! Wind your way from Petronas along '''Jalan P. Ramlee''' past the KL Tower and down '''Jalan Raja Chulan''' back to the Maybank building and Chinatown.
If you're fortunate enough to do this walk on a typical Sunday afternoon, you'll be blessed with a calmness unimaginable for a city this size.
When it rains the pavements and streets turn into small rivers and crossing a street can be an adventure.
Even though the rewards outweigh the dangers of walking in Kuala Lumpur, caution must be exercised, especially if walking alone or in a small group. Several ? primarily suburban residential ? areas of the city are frequented by biker gangs, especially later at night, that will be only too happy to relieve you of any valuables you might have on you. They are often armed with pistols, chains and steel rods and are quite dangerous if resisted. If you are unfortunate enough have been cornered by one of these gangs, quietly back down and say "ambil" ("take" in Malay) in as conciliatory a manner as possible while presenting your valuables or raising your hands. They will hopefully leave you alone after they take what they want.
Care must also be taken with any alleyways or parking grounds that appear to be dark and deserted. Petty thieves with knives or sometimes even small firearms might mug you, at any given time of the day.
That said, enjoy your walks!
Kuala Lumpur is one of those cities which is short on must-see attractions: the real joy lies in wandering randomly, seeing, shopping and eating your way through it. It's hot, humid and sometimes crowded though, so schedule some air-conditioned downtime in shopping malls or restaurants into your plan. You may find that most attractions are only crowded on weekends/holidays and deserted on weekdays.
The following gives a brief description of KL_fs attractions according to district. See the respective district pages for more details.
The main attractions are spread throughout the city, although the greatest concentration of places of interest are in the '''City Centre''', where you_fll find '''Dataran Merdeka''' (''Independence Square''), where Malaysia would usually celebrate the Malaysian independence day (the exact spot where independence was declared at the start of Aug 31, 1957 is at the Stadium Merdeka); the '''Sultan Abdul Samad Building''' and other Colonial-era buildings surrounding the square; the modern and rather unadorned '''National Mosque'''; the Moorish-style '''Kuala Lumpur Railway Station''' which now houses a mini-museum on Malaysian railway history; many of KL_fs other museums including the recently refurbished '''National Museum''' (RM2) tracing the history of the region through prehistory and the Malaccan empire to Independence, and the extremely well-regarded '''Islamic Arts Museum''' (RM12, 10-6pm), and the nearby ''''Police Museum'''; and the pretty '''Lake Gardens''' to the west. Within the city centre is also the fascinating narrow streets of '''Chinatown''', KL_fs traditional commercial district, with its many Chinese shops and places to eat.
Another area of interest to the traveller is the '''Golden Triangle'''. Although predominantly a shopping and night-life district, it is also home to the '''Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC)''' and the '''Petronas Twin Towers''', once the world_fs tallest building. In the nearby KL Convention Centre is the '''Aquaria KLCC''' which contains some 5,000 varieties of tropical fish. Just south of the Twin Towers is '''Menara KL Tower''', which is situated on top of '''Bukit Nanas''' (Pineapple Hill), a forest reserve right in the heart of the city. PDA-Guided views from Menara Tower (RM38, 9am-10pm) being at 276m, are far superior than those from the Petronas Towers (viewing deck at 170m), and come highly recommended since it allows first time visitors the chance to quickly orient themselves about the layout of the city. It is however, not a particularly easy place to reach by public transport, so use either a taxi or the "hop-on/hop-off" tourist bus that makes a continuous circuit through the city.
There are also several attractions just outside Kuala Lumpur which are worth visiting. The '''Batu Caves''' in the '''Northern suburbs''' of Kuala Lumpur, are located in a limestone outcrop and are the focal point of the fascinating annual Thaipusam festival, usually held in February. The caves are easily accessible by RapidKL bus U6 from Titiwangsa station, though ask the driver to let you know the correct stop as the caves are not immediately obvious. Do some light cave exploring in Batu Caves which is really facinating.The entrance is 50 ft below the main temple cave and on the left as you climb. The event will be memorable and is not risky even for children as young as 3 years. Another option is to catch Metrobus 11 for RM2 at Lorong Bas, near Central Market. Malaysia_fs '''National Zoo''' (''Zoo Negara'') is also located in the north of the city.
KL is the type of city where the first things that come to mind when you talking of ''doing'' anything is "eating" and "shopping", both of which are adequately covered by the Eat and Buy sections.
Those activities aside, KL has its fair share of sporting opportunities such as golfing, cycling, running, jogging and even equestrian. If you_fre into rock climbing, the Batu Caves in Northern Kuala Lumpur is a popular weekend haunt of those wanting to scale some heights. However, for anything more strenuous and challenging, you_fre better of heading to other spots in country.
Malaysia is trying to encourage greater cultural expression and KL has several good theatres and places for performances, such as the National Theatre (''Istana Budaya'') and KL Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) in the northern part of the city, the KL Philharmonic in KLCC, and the Actors Studio in Bangsar.
You can also get a good dosage of pampering in KL. For those in search of spas, there are several five-star hotel-connected as well as independent treatment centres in the Golden Triangle. You_fll also find heaps of reflexology and foot massage places everywhere but especially in Bukit Bintang in the Golden Triangle and Chinatown.
If you are taking an extended trip consider spending a week or more volunteering.
There's some great shopping to be done in Kuala Lumpur. Goods are available in every price bracket, and while electronics are a tad more expensive than in Singapore or Hong Kong they can still be much cheaper than Europe.
Kuala Lumpur's premier shopping district is the '''Bukit Bintang''' area in the '''Golden Triangle''', named after the street of the same name, although stores and hotels sprawl in all directions along '''Jalan Sultan Ismail''' and '''Jalan Imbi'''. A number of large shopping malls within the area cater to varying budgets. Fans of electronic gadgets would delight in the multitude of choices at '''Low Yat Plaza''', whilst shoppers hunting for the latest in affordable Asian style should definitely check out '''Times Square''' and '''Bukit Bintang / Sungei Wang Plaza'''. '''Pavilion''' is a recent addition to the cluster of shopping malls in this area and houses a wide range of international retail brands in an ultra-modern complex. There is also a large shopping mall at '''KLCC''', which is approximately 2 km walk from the Bukit Bintang area.
Several popular malls lie outside the Golden Triangle. The '''Bangsar and Midvalley''' areas are home to some of the best shopping malls in KL, namely the '''MidValley Megamall''' and the adjacent upmarket '''The Gardens''', the more cozy '''Bangsar Village''' and '''Bangsar Shopping Center''' in Bangsar.
There are also many shopping malls in the neighbouring towns of Petaling Jaya and Subang Jaya.
Despite the onslaught of malls, KL still offers some Asian tradition with traditional shopping streets and markets. The best area for such shopping is '''Chinatown''' in the '''City Center'''. This district is also the best place to hunt for souvenirs, especially in '''Central Market''', a former produce market which has been converted into an art and craft market.
The Little India near Jalan Masjid India offers various fabric for use. Most of the fabrics are imported from countries like India and China while some are locally produced. '''batik''' and '''songket''' are traditional fabric. For greater satisfaction choose the hand made ones (price range: from USD 100 for songket and USD50 for batik). You may be interested to buy ready made '''baju kurung''' or '''baju kebaya'''(the traditional Malay dress). For peace of mind, buy from the bigger stores.
As far as the budget is concerned, you can eat fairly well for fairly little in KL. Just head to the roadside stalls and what Malaysians call coffeeshops (''kedai kopi'') - a shop which operates like a food court with many stalls selling a variety of food (some of them are halal and some non-halal, Chinese coffee shops usually serve non-halal) . Some coffeeshops offer streetside dining by placing their tables on the sidewalks of roads. Coffeeshops are found on virtually every street in KL but '''Chinatown''' (especially Jalan Sultan, Jalan Hang Lekir and Jalan Petaling) in the '''City Center''' and '''Jalan Alor''' in the '''Golden Triangle''' have some of the greatest concentration of coffeeshops and stalls. They mostly open only at night.
Rivaling the coffeeshops in terms of numbers, as well as the price of food, are what Malaysians call "Mamak shops" - food outlets run by Indian Muslims. They can also be found at almost every street corner in KL. The food is of course halal (Food permissible by Muslim law - much like Kosher for the Jewish tradition). The streetside version, called the "Mamak stall" is also popular. One famous collection of streetside Mamak stalls is at '''Jalan Doraisamy''' near the Heritage Row (see Tuanku Abdul Rahman page). The most popular food is the 'roti canai'.
Food courts in shopping malls can also provide you with a good opportunity to sample Malaysian food in more hygienic conditions, although the prices will be a little higher than coffeeshops.
KL has a good number of restaurants, some of them offering better food than others. The '''Golden Triangle, Bangsar and Midvalley, Heritage Row''' and some areas in '''Damansara and Hartamas''' are the usual places for people looking for a restaurant meal. Beware that most restaurants close by 10 PM, so you'll probably need to look for street food if hungry at night. the street food stalls are getting better during the late night.
In terms of ethnicity, Malay food can be found in '''Jalan Masjid India, Chow Kit''' and '''Kampung Baru''' areas in the '''Tuanku Abdul Rahman''' district.'''Chinatown''' is the best place to search for Chinese (especially Cantonese) food, although all kinds of Chinese cuisine, from the simplest to the most sophisticated, can be found all over KL. Head to '''Lebuh Ampang''' in the '''City Center''' and '''Brickfields''' for Indian food. '''Bangsar''' has many high-end restaurants offering Western food. If you are dying for Korean food, head to '''Ampang Jaya'''. A lot of Arab and Middle Eastern restaurants have mushroomed in '''Bukit Bintang'''.
KL has quite a vibrant night-life and the '''Golden Triangle''' is the epicentre of most of the partying which goes on in the city. '''Jalan P. Ramlee''', just south of KLCC, is Kuala Lumpur's central clubbing area, while the action also spills onto Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Pinang and Jalan Perak. Nearby '''Bukit Bintang''' also throbs with action, and its neon-lit nightclubs, many of them with hostesses, certainly have a more Asian feel to them.
'''Heritage Row''', in the '''Tuanku Abdul Rahman''' district, is fast catching up as a popular nightspot. It occupies a row of refurbished colonial-era shop houses and is now home to one of KL's swankiest clubs and trendy bars. Strictly for well heeled visitors and locals. It is located on Jalan Doraisamy just off Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Dang Wangi.
'''Bangsar''' has long been one of the busiest places in Kuala Lumpur after the sun goes down. The action is around '''Jalan Telawi''' and its side streets, and is definitely the place to go for clubbing and deafening music.
'''Sri Hartamas''' and '''Mont Kiara''' in the '''Damansara and Hartamas''' district have popular pubs and some clubs as well as nice coffee places. You may be able to find live performances in some of the outlets.
After a tiring night out, Malaysians like to head to '''Mamak stalls''' - streetside stalls or shops operated by Indian Muslims - which offer a range of non-alcoholic beverages like ''teh tarik'' (frothed tea) and light food. In fact, these stalls have also become night hangouts in their own right, and many outlets have installed wide-screen projectors and TV where they screen football matches. Most outlets are open 24 hours. They are found all over the city and are a wonderful part of the Malaysian night scene.
Another trend that has hit Malaysia is the '''kopitiam''' fad, a more upmarket version of the traditional Chinese coffeeshop. These mostly open during the day and offer some of the best tea and coffee and light meals and snacks like ''nasi lemak'' (coconut flavoured rice with fried anchovies and peanut) and the ever popular toast with ''kaya'' (coconut curd, used as a spread). If you prefer Western style coffee, there are many coffee outlets in KL, most of them part of international and local chains like Starbucks, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and San Francisco Coffee. Most of them can be found in shopping malls.
KL's '''budget accommodation''' is mostly found in the '''City Centre''' where a bed for the night can be as little as RM20. Increasingly, more are opening in the Bukit Bintang and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman / Chow Kit and Jalan Ipoh / Jalan Pudu ( which is just opposite Hentian Puduraya bus station ) areas which are near the '''Golden Triangle''', where prices are slightly higher than in Chinatown but you_fll be next to KL_fs entertainment, shopping and dining centre.
If you are arriving on the overnight buses from the east coast islands, buses will stop at Hentian Putra in the Chow Kit area.
Try and '''avoid''' any hostels marked ''Rumah Tumpangan''; these are dodgy boarding houses for foreign workers or cater to the trade where rooms are rented out by the hour. Albeit being dodgy, these '''Rumah Tumpangan''' may be a good experience for those who have bored themselves with the luxury hotels.
'''Mid-range''' hotels are comparatively poor value in KL, and it's worth it to spend a little extra (or look a little harder) for a true luxury hotel on the cheap. KL has a deserved reputation as one of the world's cheapest places to experience '''five-star''' luxury, with rooms available for as little as RM250 (at the right time and with the right discounts).
Please see the individual KL district pages of a list of places to stay.
Internet cafes are quite plentiful in KL and you can find them in most shopping centres. If you have your own laptop, Maxis' [http://www.maxis.com.my/business/LMC/data/wlan/wlan_main.asp] WLAN service is the best deal around: as of Dec.07, a prepaid RM15 card gets you unlimited use for two weeks. Few hotels in Kuala Lumpur offer Internet access in their rooms. However, some hotels around the KL Sentral station now start to install LAN cables with Internet access in the rooms. Furthermore, many hotels offer free WiFi access in their lobbies. Free WiFi access is also available from many dining establishments and shopping complexes in the city
Also, keep in mind that while you may drink at bars, public drunkenness is a no-no! You will be robbed while you are at it, and sooner or later you'll see yourself in the rear seat of a police car.
Between May and October, KL is occasionally shrouded in dense '''haze''' from forest fires in Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo, which can be a health concern for asthmatics (and pretty unpleasant for everybody). However, the haze comes and goes, and varies greatly from year to year: it was terrible in 2006, but non-existent in 2007, and had started again in 2008.
Taxis are generally safe, but they often refuse to use the meter and a few cabbies will gouge tourists mercilessly. If they won't use the meter, then don't take that taxi, as by law they are required to use the meter. However if you are desperate to use that taxi, agree on the fare in advance, and try to get an estimate of the cost from a local before you climb on board.
Be careful of a scam that has been going on for years, and seems to be doing the rounds again - you may be approached by someone on the street. They tell you that they have a friend / relative who is going to your country as a student and needs some information about living there. They ask you to go back to their place for 20 minutes to meet the person. When you get there, the person is out, so they ask you to wait and in the meantime an uncle or someone likes to play cards. They teach you how to play and how to win...... and to cut a long story short you end up gambling and losing money, and some people have had trouble getting away, or have been robbed etc.
Hotels need not be as safe as they look: a spotlessly clean Chinese hotel downtown had no guards nor telephones inside rooms to call for help when at 2.00 a.m. a party of three or four thugs(?) tried to bang their way into the room pretending to be police "to investigate something in this room". Presence of mind helped to refuse opening the door so they eventually gave up. Perhaps it is worth avoiding bargains like that (RM36 in February 2009).
Malaysian law requires that visitors '''carry their passport at all times''', and both police and "RELA" (civil volunteers) carry out spot checks for illegal immigrants.
Locals are very friendly to the tourists, and many in Kuala Lumpur can speak decent English. Greet them well with warm smile and they will be happy to show you around. Be friendly! If you are lost, just ask someone on the street.