Malaysia is one of those states where modern trends surprisingly coexist with centuries-old traditions, the incongruous is perfectly combined, and the Asian flavor keeps up to date and amazes with its diversity and uniqueness. The capital of Kuala Lumpur fully meets all these requirements. The city occupying the southwestern territory of the Malacca Peninsula at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers is the most contrasting and mysterious. Majestic skyscrapers here border on slums, industrialization coexists with poverty, and the population is controversial and heterogeneous. However, today it is the largest metropolis throughout Southeast Asia. The local population refers to it shortly and clearly - Kay El or simply KL.
Tin story
Translated from the local dialect, Kuala Lumpur means a dirty mouth or, as an option, a muddy merger. And not for the reason that the environment is not going smoothly. Everything is much simpler: the silt in the Gombak river is oversaturated with tin compounds, therefore it has a dirty gray tint. When, thanks to the current, it rises to the surface, it makes the water as turbid as possible. That’s the whole secret.
Surprisingly, the origin of the capital is directly related to tin. At the end of the 18th century, members of the ruling clan Selangor sent hundreds of Chinese mercenaries in search of tin ore into impenetrable jungle. Those, in turn, complied with the order at the cost of their own lives: almost the entire group died from malaria. But the anticipation of money did not stop the rulers: in 1857, they ordered the founding of a commercial workers' settlement in these places. Thatched-roofed huts and miserable shacks without special livelihoods — workers had no right to expect more.
Driven into harsh living and working conditions, workers gather strength and declare a civil war on the offenders. The Selangor dispute over the possession of natural property did not abate for several years, until, finally, Britain intervened in it, the colony of which these places were at that time. For Kuala Lumpur, everything ended tragically: the fire completely destroyed the settlement. But the restoration was not long in coming. It was decided to surround the mining village with farms, which had the best effect on the development of industry and trade.
Having become a city, Kuala Lumpur flourished and even became the capital of the Principality of Selangor, until, once, once again fell victim to another severe fire. And again, residents had to work on reconstruction, attracting workers from nearby countries and cities. Wooden shacks have now given way to stone buildings, and most foreign helpers, mostly Indian, settled on these lands forever. The Second World War made its own adjustments: four years under enemy oppression significantly weakened the ethnic relations of the population, and unrest began. This went on until almost 1957, when Malaysia finally achieved its own independence. And the once small mining village became the capital of the new state.
Such a different capital
The city of Kuala Lumpur and its environs cover an area of 243 square kilometers. The population density is extremely high, and the ethnic composition of one and a half million residents is heterogeneous: there are Malays, Indians, and Chinese. Often there are immigrants from Japan, Singapore and Thailand.
The capital consists of many areas. There are only six main ones. Central - the heart of the metropolis. It contains all economically and politically important objects. The area of the so-called “Golden Triangle” is the concentration of tourist and entertainment spheres. Seputeh has many educational institutions, and Bukit Bintang is an unofficial recreation area, parks, squares and shopping centers. Chinatown - as you might guess - Chinatown. Brickfields is India in miniature. All these territories peacefully coexist.
Double interpretation of laws
The official language is Malay, but Chinese, English, Indian and Tamil are common. We must pay tribute to the Indians: choosing Malaysia as their place of residence, they introduced a number of customs and traditional beliefs not only from local Islam, but also from Hinduism. All this gradually had a significant impact on the formation of culture.
As for religion, everything is ambiguous here. There are many adherents of Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and Confucianism. Some even adhere to Christianity. And yet, most of the inhabitants are Muslims. That is why there is a pair of laws: for those professing Islam and everyone else. I must say that this approach is maximally tolerant, since it does not provoke conflicts on religious grounds and gives certain freedom to representatives of different nationalities.
Ringgits instead of dollars
The form of government of Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy. The country is divided into 13 states. Kuala Lumpur has the status of federal territory. A monetary unit is a ringgit equal to an average of thirty cents. But this ratio is very arbitrary, because the country does not accept any other currency than its own. It is not possible to pay in dollars or euros even in the tourism sector. So you have to look for exchangers. Fortunately, this is not difficult. The only thing that is important: on weekdays, banks work only until 4 pm, on Saturday - until noon, and on Sunday they are completely closed. Rubles are, of course, not in use, because they will have to be converted to another currency in advance. It is not very profitable to withdraw money from the card due to too high commission. But you can pay with plastic everywhere.
How to get there
Given the considerable distance from Russia, there is no other way to get to Kuala Lumpur than air. But here the main problem awaits: direct flights to these parts are not provided. A transplant, or even two, or even three, is what you need to be prepared for when planning a trip. Kuala Lumpur International Airport - a small, modern and very busy - is located fifty kilometers from the city.
From Asian countries, flights will be fast and inexpensive. They arrive directly at Kuala Lumpur Airport. As a rule, Air Asia is responsible for them. Destinations Singapore-Kuala Lumpur (like Indonesia or Thailand) can be overcome by train or even bus. It will come out even cheaper, but will add more than one hour's journey. For example, a trip to Phuket-Kuala Lumpur will not be costly, but long.
You can get to any area of the capital by taxi or public transport. Transfer, not agreed in advance, will cost around two thousand - in terms of Russian rubles.
In general, the public transport network is very well developed. It is represented by buses, metro and monorails. You can use a taxi, but remember that at night you will have to pay twice as much.
Monorail runs only in the center of Kuala Lumpur, making it very convenient for a sightseeing tour. For the outskirts and suburbs you will need an electric train, which runs every half hour.
Kuala Lumpur Metro Ground. It is represented by two lines, tickets for which do not match. Presenting a ticket in the Kuala Lumpur metro is also necessary at the exit. This, as tourists say, causes some bewilderment.
Kuala Lumpur sightseeing buses are usually double-decker and are called Hop-On-Hop-Of. They cover more than forty city attractions and are most adapted to the needs of tourists. Once you have bought a ticket, you can drive on it for 24 hours, get off at any stop, explore the surroundings, and then board the same marked bus again and continue your journey. A completely affordable service is a rental car. It is allowed to drive it to persons from 23 to 60 years old who have an international driving license.
Visa regime
The country is classified as partially free entry. Visitors traveling here for a week or two are not required. You must fill out a migration card, have with you an amount of $ 500, a return ticket and a six-month international passport. Such a free regime is limited to thirty days of stay. Those planning to stay in Malaysia for a longer time will have to get a visa at the embassy. A single document is issued for two months. If necessary, it can be extended later. The deadline is up to a week, the consular fee is ten dollars.
Working and student visas to Kuala Lumpur are somewhat more complicated. They will have to be opened exclusively in the host country. Entry is permitted on tourist grounds, but with an invitation to study or work.
To live - do not push
Since the tourist infrastructure is pretty well developed, picking up a house is not difficult. The peculiarity of most Malaysian hotels is that when checking in with tourists, a security deposit is required - as a sign that the property will remain intact. If all the conditions are met, the amount of money is returned in full. The best hotels in Kuala Lumpur in the area of the Golden Triangle and the central zone are recognized. You can call Star Points, Sheraton Imperial, Prescott Medan. The budget accommodation is located in Chinatown. Many tourists in their reviews note that when visiting the city, it is worth considering the fact that in some hotels breakfast is not included in the price, and alcoholic drinks on the menu may be completely absent. And one more thing: in the rainy season prices are significantly reduced, if not to say that they are falling catastrophically.
Summer all year round
The country is located in the equatorial zone, which explains the hot and moderately humid climate. Year-round air temperature is in the region of plus 28 degrees. Most of the rain falls in the spring (from February to May) and in the autumn months (mainly October - December). True, they are quite short-lived and are usually at night. Moreover, even getting wet through, it will not work to freeze and catch a cold.
The weather has no bad nature
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) is surrounded on many sides by centuries-old tropical forests. That is why the local flora and fauna are rich and diverse. Exotic trees and plants grow in large quantities here: nyatokh, kapoor, chengal, merbau, various palm trees and creepers. And the flower of rafflesia is one of the largest on the planet: its diameter can reach one meter.
In the surrounding forests there are rhinos and elephants, deer and monkeys, gaura bulls and zambars, unique smoky leopards and tapirs. And the Malayan tigers did not leave more than five hundred individuals on the earth.
Malays pay special attention to National Parks. For example, in the Central Park of the capital, you can count up to sixty species of palm trees. And Lake Park is an unspoiled virgin jungle. Negara Zoo is known far beyond the borders of the country. And the capital itself, despite globalization and industrialization, is immersed in greenery and flowers.
Skyscrapers, mosques and the Garden of Light
What to see in Kuala Lumpur? The city plays a huge role in the cultural life of the whole country. It not only houses leading scientific and educational institutions, but also has many cultural institutions - museums, libraries, galleries. And there are many sights of Kuala Lumpur that are simply breathtaking. Let's talk about some of them.
The skyscrapers of Petronasa in Kuala Lumpur are a vivid confirmation of this. Being the tallest buildings in the world before the start of the two thousandth, they stagger the imagination. Built in the style of postmodernism, as conceived by architects, the towers of Kuala Lumpur express the philosophy of the east. Inside are research centers, galleries, an aquarium and a philharmonic society. At two hundred meters high, a glass bridge is installed between the floors, which serves as an observation deck.
Within walking distance is the Palace of the Sultan Abdul-Samad. The pompous building combines two architectural styles - Moorish and Victorian. Its greatness is often mentioned in its positive reviews by tourists. It is no accident that the Ministry of Culture is located inside.
Independence Square - the concentration of cultural and administrative buildings. A huge landscaped field is intended for solemn meetings, parades and demonstrations in honor of the country's independence from British rule. It was at this place that the Malaysian flag was first raised to a height.
Another observation deck is located in the Menara TV Tower. Thanks to the bright night illumination, the TV tower received the nickname "Garden of Light".
The Jamek and Negara mosques are symbols of Islamic culture that captivate in appearance.
The Royal Palace is the visiting card of the capital and the official residence of the king. The magnificent architecture and unique landscapes on an area of nine hectares attract many tourists to it. You can take a look at how the foot and horse guard of honor at the front gates change every day at noon. Inside, of course, no entry.
It is also worth seeing the Tien Hou and Sri Mahamariamman temples, the Vilayat Persekutuan Mosque, the Parliament building and the National Museum.
Firefly Dance and Butterfly Farm
As tourists note in their reviews of Kuala Lumpur, a lot of the city and its environs and natural attractions. One of the most important - Batu Caves - the most famous Hindu world shrine. Limestone sculptures date back four hundred thousand years. The temple complex consists of thirty caves, the main of which are recognized only four - Ramayana, Svetlaya, Dark and Villa. Tourists from all over the world always come here to touch the shrine, since many beliefs and legends are associated with this attraction.
Bujang Valley is one of the ancient archaeological sites. Findings of recent decades indicate that once in these places there was a large shopping center. The ruins of Buddhist and Hindu temples - Kandy are scattered everywhere. There are more than fifty of them, each of which is a spiritual symbol of these places.
As already mentioned, the subject of special pride of the capital is National Parks. There are more than a dozen of them: a park of deer, birds, butterflies, orchids and even fireflies. The latter, according to tourists, is a unique local phenomenon. Fireflies have chosen mangroves in the Selangor river valley - in the evening they have a great light show and even sit on their hands.
Shoppingomania
The city of Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) has a well-developed market network. Markets are both daytime and evening, trading until the morning. The abundance of goods cannot be expressed in words - you can buy anything you want! It is especially worth noting the markets of Chinatown - the place to buy unusual souvenirs and taste street food in a wide assortment.
In addition to them, many shops and shopping centers. Suria KLCC is one of the most fashionable and expensive. Pavillion KL is included in the middle price segment and, along with elite brands, offers items of local manufacturers. Berjaya Times Square is one of the top largest global trading floors. Low Yat Plaza is famous for its low-cost technology, while Karyaneka is known for handicrafts and souvenirs.
Sales in Malaysia are comparable to European ones - you just have to get to them. In some stores, discounts reach seventy percent.
Souvenir
When traveling to other countries, many tourists always want to take a lot of memorable photos and buy various souvenirs in order to present them to relatives and friends and keep them in memory of the trip. What to bring from Malaysia? Various trinkets and folk art products with the symbols of the country - pens, magnets, mugs, plates and t-shirts. Items made of wood - spoons, ashtrays, animal figures, masks. You can’t get past tin figures and utensils - after all, thanks to him, the city arose. But, if you want something unusual and original, you should pay attention to fabrics and, in particular, batik. Hand-painted by matter is extremely common here. It can be found both on home and formal clothes, shawls and shawls, tablecloths and napkins, and on larger things, such as bedding. Spices and aromatic oils are popular.
Tasteful Travel
Malay cuisine has absorbed elements of Chinese, Indian and Portuguese gastronomy. This is a real cocktail of dishes and recipes. At the heart of each unconditionally lies rice or “nasi, " as the Malays call themselves. It is cooked in a variety of ways - steamed, boiled, fried, stewed. All that is added after has a prefix bows, that is, an additive. The locals are especially fond of spices: tamarind, curry, lemon grass, chili and ginger. Pork is quite rare: do not forget that the overwhelming majority of residents are Muslims, but seafood here is on a special account.
Breakfast is considered to be the main meal, so it is the morning menu of the gastronomic establishments that amazes with its generosity. Nasi lemak is considered traditional - rice stewed in coconut milk with the addition of anchovies, quail eggs and roasted peanuts, and boobur porridge. Of soups, it’s worth evaluating “laks” - all the same coconut milk, rice noodles and meat ingredient, “soto ayyam” based on curry and “cambering” of goat meat. Banana leaf dishes are popular.
В качестве десерта можно попробовать рисовое мороженое, жареные во фритюре бананы – «писанг горенг» или каштаны, «роджак» из экзотических фруктов или сладкие креветки-гриль.
К слову о фруктах. Они в этих местах в изобилии. Бананами, манго и кокосами уже никого не удивишь, а вот рабмбутаном, мангустином и дурианом – вполне.
Чай и кофе принято пить с добавлением сгущенки и специй. Популярно местное пиво, а вот алкоголь здесь не очень приветствуется и подается, как правило, только в дорогих ресторанах.
В числе лучших гурманских заведений надо отметить Tgs Nasi Kandar, Songket, Ploy и Bijan. В Seri Melayu можно стать свидетелем настоящего шоу приготовления блюд, а в крутящемся ресторане Atmosphere 360° пообедать на трехсотметровой высоте и полюбоваться панорамой города через стеклянные стены.
Жить ярко
Город Куала-Лумпур, несмотря на столичную серьезность, располагает массой самых разнообразных развлечений. Комплекс "Гентинг Хайлендзе", расположенный на возвышенности, оснащен канатной дорогой и предлагает отдых на любой вкус – от верховой езды и каруселей до катания на санках и лепки снеговиков – и это в разгар лета! А огромный аквапарк «Сангвей Лагун» не оставит равнодушными ни детей, ни взрослых.
Праздники в Малайзии отмечаются красочно и ярко. В начале лета проходят повсеместные празднования Дня рождения короля, ознаменованные парадом, шествиями, вручением премий и наград особо отличившимся жителям. В конце августа не менее грандиозным масштабом удивляет День независимости. В числе национальных дат – китайский Новый год, индуистский фестиваль Тайпусам, Святая пятница перед Пасхой, Хари-Рая-Пусса – окончание священного Рамадана и Дипавали – Фестиваль огней.
