Kuala Lumpur

Good to know

1. 1The name means 'muddy confluence' in Malay, after the spot where the Klang and Gombak rivers meet. The city grew from a tin-mining settlement in the 19th century.
2. 2The Petronas Twin Towers were the tallest buildings in the world when they were finished in the late 1990s, and they still define the skyline. A skybridge links the two towers.
3. 3Malay is the national language, but you will hear English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tamil and more, often switching mid-conversation. English is widely understood in the city.
4. 4Food is the main event. Nasi lemak, satay, roti canai, char kuey teow and bak kut teh are all everyday dishes, and many are best from street stalls and hawker centres.
5. 5Batu Caves, a limestone hill with Hindu shrines inside, lies just north of the centre and is reached by a long flight of colourful steps. Monkeys live around the site.
6. 6The currency is the Malaysian ringgit. Malaysia is a mainly Muslim country, and you will find halal food everywhere alongside Chinese and Indian restaurants that serve other dishes.

Tips for a first visit

• Dress light but cover your shoulders and knees when visiting mosques and temples. Remove your shoes before entering, and many places lend robes or scarves if you need them.
• Use the rail network (LRT, MRT and monorail) for central areas, since traffic can be heavy. Ride-hailing apps are common and handy when the rain starts or the heat gets too much.
• Cards are widely accepted in malls and larger restaurants, but keep some cash for hawker stalls, small shops and markets.
• Try breakfast at a local kopitiam, a traditional coffee shop, with kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs and strong coffee.
• Offer and receive things with your right hand, and avoid pointing with your index finger. Take your shoes off when entering someone's home.
• Plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning or evening, and go into a mall or museum in the hottest part of the afternoon. Carry an umbrella, as sudden downpours are common.

When to go

Kuala Lumpur is hot and humid all year, with no real winter. The drier months, roughly May to July, tend to be the easiest for sightseeing, while the wetter periods bring afternoon thunderstorms that usually pass within a few hours. Heavier rain is more common around the turn of the year, and the haze that sometimes drifts in from regional fires can affect air quality in the drier months.

From the airport

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) lies about 50 kilometres south of the centre. The fastest option is the KLIA Ekspres train to KL Sentral, which takes around half an hour. Buses and taxis or ride-hailing cars also run into the city, taking roughly an hour depending on traffic. From KL Sentral you can change to the metro lines or take a short taxi ride to your hotel.