Kuala Lumpur.
AN eclectic overload of diversity comes to life in Malaysia’s Central Region, the ultimate destination that encompasses the urban sprawl of iconic skyscrapers and the old-world charm of traditional kampungs in Southeast Asia, to the tropical rainforests in Selangor.
Comprised of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Selangor, this is the gateway to Malaysia, with KLIA airport being the major international transit hub of Malaysia.
A visit to the central region is not complete without experiencing the mega-sized shopping malls, luxury dining and 24/7 mamak eateries, as well as the underground speakeasies and sky-high bars that perch above the illuminated twilight skyline.
Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia’s dazzling capital city
Kuala Lumpur seamlessly blends rich cultural, shopping and dining experiences, affordable luxury accommodations, and awe-inspiring landmarks, with the opportunity to pack the clubs and tackle one or more of the challenging golf courses in the region.
The city is divided into three main districts – KLCC, home to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, Bukit Bintang, the shopping capital of Kuala Lumpur, and Chinatown, an emerging hotspot for cultural richness and an up-and-coming culinary and beverage scene.
In KLCC, visitors can explore the lush 50-acre KLCC Park, a green oasis in the heart of the city. Stroll through the park to enjoy its fountains, landscaped gardens, and impressive views of the Petronas Twin Towers, standing at 451.9 meters, these are the world’s tallest twin towers, offering expansive views of the developing skyline from the skybridge and observation deck.
Nearby is the Suria KLCC Shopping Mall or the opportunity to walk across the Saloma Link Bridge at dusk, a pedestrian bridge illuminated with LED lights that connects the chic KLCC area to Kampung Bahru, a charming little heritage zone for foodies, with traditional houses and mamak food stalls.
Next, there’s Bukit Bintang, a vibrant area known for its extensive shopping malls, colourful mural-lined alleyways, as well as diverse dining options. Whether looking for high-end fashion, local boutiques, or international cuisine, Bukit Bintang is a one-stop destination for comprehensive shopping and dining experiences.
Personal favourites are the Jalan Alor Food Street Night Market, a lively night market that’ll satisfy any gastronomic desires with affordable-priced meal options, and the. Changkat Bukit Bintang, which is Kuala Lumpur’s nightlife hotspot brimming with bars, pubs and restaurants. On the contrary, nearby outside attractions such as Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park and KL Bird Park will transport you into a natural oasis hidden amongst the skyscrapers. KL Bird Park is Asia’s largest free-flight aviary, home to more than 3,000 local and foreign birds of approximately 200 different species.
Shopping for bargains, street art, chic hidden bars, trendy cafes and temples, is Chinatown, where visitors can immerse themselves in the lively market atmosphere while haggling for goods at Petaling Street or shopping at the cultural and artistic hub of Central Market for handicrafts, textiles and more.
Behind Petaling Street, is Kwai Chai Hong Lane, a centuries-old alley revitalised with street murals that depict the life of Chinatown in the 1960s. This lane offers Instagram-worthy spots and a fascinating glimpse into the area’s history. Surrounding the lane, numerous cafes and bars have emerged, adding to the district’s charm, with the PS150 a popular speakeasy bar in the area – be sure to check out.
Rated highly as a marvellous destination to stay and play, KL has been ranked as the eight Best City in the World for Expats (Expat City Ranking, 2020), amongst Asia’s Top 10 Cities (Mercer’s Quality Of Living Survey, 2019) and as the sixth Most Visited City in the World (Mastercard’s Global Destination Cities Index, 2019).
Explore the city for a terrific holiday!
Batu-Caves, Selangor.
Petronas Twin Towers
Standing majestically at a height of 451.9 metres, Petronas Twin Towers is a world-renowned icon of Malaysia, a gleaming structure of steel and glass and the centrepiece of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre or KLCC. Consisting of a shopping mall, star-rated hotels, a landscaped park and a convention centre, the highlight of a visit to the Twin Towers is the exhilaration of standing at the Skybridge on the 41st Floor and on the Viewing Deck on the 86th Floor.
KL Tower
One of the most prominent and distinctive landmarks in the country is the KL Tower, the world’s seventh-tallest telecommunications structure situated atop Bukit Nanas. Enjoy a magnificent view of KL from a dizzying height of 421 metres, with attractions including Sky Deck, Sky Box, Observation Deck, Tower Walk 100, and the new ARAS Restaurant – a 360-degree Revolving Restaurant open for lunch, hi-tea and dinner with curated international flavours to choose from.
Sungai Long Golf & Country Club (Selangor).
Jalan Alor
The former red-light area of Jalan Alor is now one of Kuala Lumpur’s top culinary destinations. During the evening, the sidewalks are lined with seafood eateries, hawker stalls, and coffee shops serving some of Malaysia’s best hawker fare. Be tempted by delicious street food like satay, BBQ chicken wings, stir-fried noodles, and also desserts, then wash it down with ice-cold beer or the locals’ favorite, sugarcane juice. This buzzing street draws budget travellers for offering affordable prices and nostalgic vibes. Join a food tour of Kuala Lumpur, which will bring you to all the best food spots in Jalan Alor and the city.
The Exchange TRX
The new social hub of Malaysia, The Exchange TRX is a world-class experiential lifestyle destination with over 400 of the world’s leading retailers, five unique dining precincts and a 10-acre rooftop park. Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s burgeoning financial district and amidst the sprawling cityscape, The Exchange TRX is a lush paradise to get lost in, standing out from the rest and poised to start a new precedent for retail, dining and leisure experiences.
Kampung Baru
Kampung Baru or Kampong Bharu (meaning “New Village”) is a Malay enclave in central KL that is located in the northern part of the central business district. Kampung Baru is separated from KLCC district by a section of the Klang River, and was established in 1899 by a grant from the then-Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Alaeddin Suleiman Shah. Since then Kampung Baru has held out against development and modern-city living, turning into a political symbol of Malay culture, and is one of the most valuable tracts of land in the capital, with an estimated worth of up to US$1.4 billion. Kampung Baru is known for authentic Malay food, such as Ikan Bakar (grilled fish), Roti Jala, Satay and Nasi Lemak served with accompaniments such as Beef Rendang.
TREC
TREC, which stands for Taste, Relish, Experience and Celebrate, is Malaysia’s first and only purpose-built urban F&B, lifestyle and commercial destination. Sitting on a seven-acre site at the city centre with views of the Royal Selangor Golf Course, TREC integrates an exciting variety of fine dining restaurants, trendy cafes, wine bars, pubs, lounges, clubs and other lifestyle-related services. Worth checking is Iron Fairies KL, a uniquely themed bar inspired by a tale that takes place in a West Australian mine where its citizens would mine the ore for iron to forge and shape fairies.
Selangor – diversity in cultures and traditions
A state on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Selangor encircles the capital Kuala Lumpur.
Located in the state capital, Shah Alam, the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque has four soaring minarets and a huge blue dome, to the northeast are the limestone Batu Caves, which house ornately decorated Hindu shrines, with a large golden statue of the Hindu god Lord Murugan standing at the entrance, as monkeys scamper about.
Other highlights and must-visit spots for tourists and visitors to the region include Sunway Lagoon Theme Park with its numerous features and offerings, or getting back to nature with a tour of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM).
Batu Caves
A majestic limestone formation lying in the state of Selangor, is the Batu Caves, located on the outskirts of the city. Within the main cave is an ancient Hindu temple, a famous destination drawing people from all parts of the world during the annual Thaipusam festival. Scale the magnificent 272-step staircase leading up to the cave. Highlights include the Ramayana Cave, featuring wall paintings depicting scenes from Hindu epics.
Sunway Lagoon Theme Park
The Sunway Lagoon is located in the bustling township of Sunway City, within the district of Petaling Jaya in the state of Selangor and a mere 15-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur.
A one-stop place for fun over 90 attractions spread across 88 acres, Sunway Lagoon provides the ultimate theme park experience in six adventure zones — Water Park, Amusement Park, Wildlife Park, XPark, Sunway Lost Lagoon and Scream Park . The Sunway Lagoon Theme Park also plays host to some of the hottest acts and global events.
Spend the entire day exploring the various dining options also available at the theme park and if requiring a place to sleep, take advantage of the Sunway Resort Hotel next door.
Enjoy everything Kuala Lumpur has to offer, including the shopping, culture, night life and dining options, or tackle one of the challenging and spectacular golf courses, including the world class Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (below).
Explore FRIM
Keep eyes peeled for wildlife on the nature trails, then enjoy a bird’s-eye-view of the trees by crossing the Canopy Walkway at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). A unique conservation facility located 20 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur, few cities can match the FRIM, which boasts a tropical Rainforest within driving distance. The FRIM is a 3,775-acre (600-hectare) expanse that’s home to hundreds of plant species, with visitors encouraged to hike along trails that pass secondary forests, a river, and waterfall.
Golf in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor
A variety of courses open their doors and encourage keen golfers to tackle the challenge of golf in Malaysia.
The diversity of golf courses is hard to match, with a Malaysia Golf Holiday ideal for the golfing family, for golfing friends or for any size group.
As well as offering spectacular scenery and unique golfing experiences, many of Malaysia’s courses are equipped with world class facilities and amenities. The only worry is selecting from the many quality clubs on offer.
Leading the way is the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, a club that has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, has played host to several prestigious international tournaments, including the US PGA Tour’s CIMB Classic, the Malaysia Open on the DP World Tour and the LPGA’s Maybank Championship. In 2022 the KLGCC’s West Course was voted number one in Malaysia and number 19 overall in Asia’s Top 100 Golf Course rankings, complementing the East Course, which is a parkland layout, a favourite amongst golfers, challenging but also highly rewarding.
Other KL and Selangor standouts include the Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam, featuring 27-holes of three scenic, challenging and well-groomed nines, the Kota Permai Golf & Country Club, and the Mines Resort and Golf Club, built in 1993 upon the world’s largest open cast tin mine, where a barren wasteland once rich in precious minerals was uniquely transformed, and the first Jack Nicklaus signature course in Malaysia the Sungai Long Golf & Country Club. Located just 15 minutes from KL in the self-contained township of Bundai, Sungai Long, Sugai Long G& CC is world class facility having undergone major renovations and upgrades before re-opening in 2013.
Visit Malaysia – For More Information
For travel and holiday ideas and opportunities, visit the Tourism Malaysia website at www.malaysia.travel/
For packages or more golfing information, go to www.malaysiagolfholiday.com
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