December 11, 2009
Chinatown Malaysia
Welcome to Kuala Lumpur (KL) – you are in for a real bargain-hunting adventure! You would probably want to take a stroll along the original Chinatown; also commonly known as Petaling Street. Petaling Street maintains much of its traditional atmosphere, particularly at night when vendors peddle their wares on the streets.
Food is aplenty here with many delicious choices to choose from. Some of the restaurants have been operating at the same location for generations and are reputed for their scrumptious delicacies. Look out for Woo Hin restaurant; it is the only family-run food joint that has been around the longest here in KL. Throngs of hungry visitors also make a beeline (literally!) for the infamous Hokkien Mee (yellow noodles fried with pork, vegetables and fishcakes and smothered with thick brown gravy). The food served at the open-air stall is well-worth the wait and hungry patrons continually revisit it for a tasty meal.
Chinatown
Many other shops here open their doors to the eager shopper. The range of items available here is incredible, ranging from handbags, clothes, shoes, jewelry to leather goods. Petaling Street is also noted for its dazzling display of gold fashion accessories encrusted with precious gemstones! In fact, the whole street is brimming with stalls and that’s where the fun of bargain-hunting begins.
The hotels in Chinatown are very personalized; presenting to tired visitors a home away from home concept! Most of them operate on a small-scale, and are owned and managed by family members. These charming little hotels offer clean rooms and good hospitality to add on to your memorable holiday. Retaining the charm and character of yesteryears, hotels in Chinatown offer good value for money for budget conscious traveler.
One must remember that bargain-hunting only happens at the stalls. A successful bargain for an item you’ve likened to can reach up a fifty-percent discount or more! Proper shop owners do not entertain bargaining but maintain friendly customer service; cheerfully attending to the many change of clothes you try on.
Thankfully, the place has been renovated since; transparent roofs have been built overhead and re-constructed roadworks have made the streets shopper-friendly. This is especially good for tourists as one is able to while away hours of shopping and food-tasting regardless it’s rain or shine. To get there, hop onto the Sistem Transit Aliran Ringan, commonly known as STAR Light Rail Transit (LRT) and get off at the Plaza Rakyat stop. Upon exiting the station, walk straight on ahead and turn right after Nando’s restaurant. You are able to see Petaling Street (or Chinatown ) at the next right traffic junction. Or, take a cab ride to Petaling Street right away and save the hassle of traveling on the LRT with your entire family. Go with an open mind, a growling stomach and simply enjoy the night market for its energizing blend of local sights, food, and shopping!
December 10, 2009
Bukit Bintang
A good way to scout the Malaysian scene would be to explore a well-known area in Kuala Lumpur called Bintang Walk. It is located on Jalan Bukit Bintang and is part of the Golden Triangle; a place well-known for its long stretch of shops, hotels and good food. The Golden Triangle is generally divided into two areas; Bukit Bintang and KLCC. While KLCC caters more towards the higher-than-average tastes, Bukit Bintang is more down-to-earth and friendly to all.
Bukit Bintang
Accommodation can be found here at hotels rated from three to five stars. A few examples to state would be the Allson Genesis Hotel, JW Marriot Hotel and The Westin. The Allson Genesis Hotel offers comfortable deluxe rooms equipped with in-house international television channels; whereas the JW Marriot Hotel and The Westin present to travellers a corporate yet luxurious stay, complete with five-star treatment and easy accessibility to office facilities.
Bukit Bintang
When it comes to the shopper’s paradise, Bukit Bintang has it all. Visit Starhill Gallery for all things branded and of higher quality, and do not forget to make a stop on the 4 th floor where you can drink in the beauty of art in the form of paintings and sculptures by Malaysian artists! Surrounding malls like Sungei Wang Plaza, BB Plaza and Low Yat Plaza has more clothing, footwear, electrical gadgets and many more items at less pricey bargains! Since you’re within the vicinity, visit Berjaya Times Square and Lot 10 Shopping Centre too to fulfill your many other shopping and entertainment needs.
In recent years, more and more F&B outlets have sprung up around Bukit Bintang. Yearning for good western or eastern cuisine? Go over to Shook! restaurant for posh dining and celebrity-spotting on the ground floor of Starhill Gallery. Starbucks Coffee, Delifrance, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf are a few thirst-quenching sit-outs when you need a long-awaited rest! Name a few just off the top of your head and you have it. Fast-food outlets like KFC, McDonald’s and Pizza Hut are all-time favourites amongst visitors …especially the youngsters. For those who are adventurous enough to try out some local delights, do take a walk down Jalan Ipoh; a tourist attraction and food haven packed with really delicious local delights to seduce your palate with. Take your pick and tuck in to a guaranteed hearty feast!
After dinner, make a pit stop at Bukit Bintang Plaza, tune in to local street musicians performing cool music ranging from acid jazz to traditional Malaysian tunes like dangdut (traditional Malay folk music) and gamelan (an orchestra of percussion instruments). Lucky patrons at these performances will get a chance to join these fun-loving musicians learn how to play the instruments!
Bukit Bintang has plenty to offer tourists; even local visitors repeatedly come back to this food cum shopping district to just have a jolly good time! Apart from the normal mode of transportation which is cabs; another way for you to investigate the many sights without driving would be to hop into the KL Monorail. Just get off at the Bukit Bintang stop and get started on observing our quirky Malaysian culture!
December 9, 2009
Bangsar
Located at the periphery of the city centre, Bangsar has been a popular entertainment district for some 15 odd years now. Initially starting out as a rubber estate, Bangsar was later developed into a residential area and now there is a whole host of houses and condominiums to choose from. The growth of Bangsar can highly be attributed to the hustle and bustle of the Telawi area.
The Telawi area is a potpourri of leisure, entertainment and good food. It is easily accessible and noticeable with its bright lights and the intense energy pulsating from the streets. But alas, there is a price to pay for being one of the most renowned and visited hot spots in town, a shortage in parking spaces. A new multi storey car park is being put in place to prevent the inconsiderate activity of double parking and illegal parking.
Bangsar
Telawi is well known for its pub scene; housing over 40 pubs, cafés and restaurants along its charming streets. From the ubiquitous Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to Baskin Robbins and Dome, Bangsar is an extraordinary potpourri of flavours. It peppers visitors with fancy restaurants like La Bodega, Alexis Bistro & Bar, Flam’s Restaurant & Wine Bar, and Finnegan’s Irish Pub…to just name a few. La Bodega is highly recommended for those who want a delicioso taste of Spain . Let them pamper you with their authentic tapas bar and the smooth sounds of jazz in the backdrop. Mak Koh Seafood Restaurant is noted for its affordable and great tasting local delights. Top it all off with an outstanding dessert choice of Tiramisu at the Alexis Bistro & Bar. For the fast-food fanatics, there is no shortage of eateries for them too; take a quick browse around and you’ll soon find McDonald’s, KFC and Burger King.
Head over to Telawi Street Bistro (TSB) to sample the array of TSB’s signature cocktails and swoon over their infamous Spanking Boards (vodka concoctions) in a cozy yet rugged ambience, complete with hip-swaying tunes for those longing to groove. Another definite must-see is Club 11.15; a pub that resembles a prison inside out. The whole she-bang comes complete with images of the prison walls and mannequins dressed in prison warden uniforms.
Bangsar
Shopping itself is a leisure activity that many enjoy. Shopping in Bangsar is like discovering many hidden treasures from all over the world. Bangsar offers clothing stores that cater to every type of fashion tastes imaginable. The frequented boutiques include Vivid, Euromoda and Fabric Avenue , Shopaholics, Cat’s Whiskers, Gossips, Blook and many more. Every Sunday from 5pm , a strip of night market or locally known as Pasar Malam (night market) lights up the already colourful Bangsar. Complete with open-air shopping stalls that sells all kinds; it’s another cheaper option for shoppers to pack their shopping bags with. While making your way from one stall to another, be prepared to maneuver in between human traffic. Things on sale vary from vegetables to fresh seafood and children’s toys to apparels and these are made available to shoppers till the wee hours of the morning.
The artsy crowd will especially adore Bangsar with its share of local theatrics. Catch plays, dances, mimes, concerts and also choirs only at the Actors’ Studio Bangsar at Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC). The performances are guaranteed to tickle your funny bones, inspire and move you to tears. Housed within BSC, the Actors’ Studio Bangsar is where you can get acquainted with local performance genres spanning from dance to theatre and drama to comedy. Tickets are affordably priced and their performances usually don’t disappoint.
Easily accessible from many major roads of Kuala Lumpur and though only 10 minutes’ drive from the city centre, visitors to Bangsar are advised to try the Putra Light Rail Transit (LRT) which stops at Bangsar station. Another option is the feeder bus system; conveniently dropping off passengers at any flourishing corner of Bangsar. With such an affluent neighbourhood and variety of entertainment themes, the culture that characterizes Bangsar is trendy, vibrant and above all… unmatched.
December 8, 2009
Mon’t Kiara
Mont Kiara is a suburb located within Kuala Lumpur . It is conveniently situated next to Sri Hartamas, thus putting it in the heart of Klang Valley . Similarly to its neighbour, Mont Kiara has easy access to the three major expressways that connects the surrounding districts to the city centre. The New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), the Sprint Expressway and the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP) are all easily accessible from Mont Kiara and the Sprint Expressway enables road travellers to access the Penchala Link and the Kerinchi Link as well. With the introduction of these two fairly new highways, travel time to Bandar Utama, Mutiara Damansara, Bangsar and Kuala Lumpur has been cut down to just 10 minutes.
Mont Kiara
The success of Mont Kiara stems largely from its concept of being a global condominium township. It is the first of its kind in Malaysia . Its strategic location and the wide range of facilities and services nearby attract both the upper class Malaysian and the expatriate community. Its large expatriate population contributes to the growth as well as the quality of the township. With over 30 nationalities gracing the streets of Mont Kiara, visitors and residents will immediately feel the world at their fingertips. The area is known for its large population of Japanese and Korean expatriates and with such numbers it would come as no surprise that there is an abundance of Japanese and Korean restaurants and stores to cater to their needs.
Plaza Mont Kiara is the main business hub in Mont Kiara. The Sunrise offices are home to many offices, dining outlets and other facilities. The draw of this area is its full broadband service that caters to both the surrounding residents and businesses. One can easily access the internet while sipping a cup of coffee at Starbucks or while biting down on a Big Mac. It is at this area that the Mont Kiara Funday is held every Sunday. The weekly flea market exhibits a wide variety of items such as arts and crafts, antiques, apparels and accessories, pets, toys, food and fruits, plants, ornaments, household items and many other fascinating things. Alternatively, the night market is held every Thursday with a similar spread.
Mont Kiara
With its large population of expatriates, it is only natural for Mont Kiara to be furnished with two international schools, Garden International School and Mont’Kiara International School. There are also other schools nearby such as Sri Hartamas Secondary School , Bukit Damansara Primary School and Sri Cempaka private school. Other amenities within the vicinity includes a police station located in the centre of Mont Kiara and a fire station in the neighbouring area of Sri Hartamas.
Due to its massive expatriate community, Mont Kiara is a place that radiates an aura unlike the Malaysian culture. The area has a very sophisticated feel to it and the residents contribute by bringing a piece of their world to this global condominium township called Mont Kiara in Kuala Lumpur .
December 7, 2009
Petaling Street
The Chinese have been in Kuala Lumpur ever since its founding back in 1857. Yap Ah Loy was an integral character in the development of K.L and it is him that contributed to the success of Petaling Street . This Chinese dominated area would be known to tourists as Chinatown but to the locals, it is affectionately referred to by its eponymous road name. It is more affectionately know to the Chinese Malaysians as Chi-Cheong-Kai in Cantonese but till this day there has been no reasoning or meaning behind it.
Petaling Street
Malaysia is well-known for its big bargains and its bootlegs. Bargain hunters can be seen haggling at many of the stalls that make up Petaling Street ‘s infamous shopping haven. Some of the more popular items that can be found include DVDs, CDs, hand bags, watches and clothing. Shoppers have to bear in mind that most of these items are in fact, bootleg versions even though they might look seemingly original. Word of advice, bring a local friend who is accustomed with the ways of Petaling Street to help you with your shopping as hawkers around the area tend to swindle unsuspecting tourists and foreigners.
Dozens of restaurants can be found at the shop houses that originally line the streets. Food stalls can also be found towards the centre of the street selling local Chinese delights such as Hokkien mee, BBQ sting ray, Assam Laksa and many more. Most of these shops and stalls have been in operation for decades. The delicious food at Petaling Street is a legacy that has been passed down from one generation to another.
Petaling Street
Petaling Street ‘s reputation is an ill-fated one though and its history and origins have been replaced by stories of illegal trade and rude hawkers. Many complaints have been issued regarding the conduct of the Petaling Street hawkers but tourists and locals still insist on frequenting the place because of its great bargains and its popularity.
This vibrant area can get very crowded sometimes and one must be prepared to squeeze their way through a sea of bodies to get to the next stall. Nevertheless, that’s just a minor inconvenience. Eventually, the offer of cheap clothes, watches, hand bags and DVD’s are too great an opportunity to miss out on.
December 6, 2009
Enjoy yourself at Central Market
Situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur , Central Market is an entertainment and recreational hub for local citizens and foreigners. Though somewhat commercialized by the rapid developments around it, one can still find much of our Malaysian culture retained in the arts and crafts sold there. Reflecting the typical busy streets in city life, it stands in a remarkable position amongst other modern city skyscrapers. Central Market is kept for its historical value; it was built by the British in 1900 and back then its primary purpose was to serve as a wet market. Currently, it still retains the nostalgic feel of Malaysian history during the pre-independence era. As a matter as fact, the building was honoured with Coronation Architecture Design Award in 1953.
Central Market
Dearly known as the one-stop souvenir-shopping central in Kuala Lumpur, you can find any type of souvenir item you can think of here. This art-deco style building showcases all the souvenir stalls in style; ranging from personalized key chains, T-shirts, antique replicas, paintings, curios (cabinets used to shelf collectibles for display), costume jewelry to pewter. One could easily spend hours at a time just browsing through all the souvenirs and mingling in the crowd. If you are looking for very traditional handcrafts like batik (hand painted clothing), rattan, bamboo products or even Wau (popular Malay kites), Central Market is definitely the place for you. You may even feel astounded by extraordinary displays of porcelain Hindu and Chinese deity statues. All these enticing souvenirs are available to take home at reasonable prices.
If you are interested in traditional handcrafts, the Malay Village is a place not-to-missed. The conceptual Malay Village fills the space of eight shop lots and only local specialized handcraft traders are allowed to take up occupancy here. Examples are the traditionally woven songket (luxurious fabric with gold & silver threads sewn intricately on it) that is usually seen on the elite Malay crowd; sutera (valuable silk weaving), Batik (dyed silk fabrics that are further enhanced with flower designs by hand painters); Wau Kelantan (a meticulously created Malay kite that is rich in culture) and Kelantan silver and antiques.
Central Market
Far from merely being a bazaar, Central Market projects insight to incoming visitors, with local diversified cultures such as fortune telling services and wayang kulit, a shadow puppet show. If you have a little time to spare, get your majestic image captured on canvas by talented portrait artists. Central Market also offers fun local street performances as well. For those who yearn to venture further with the performing arts attractions, an outdoor amphitheatre by the riverside presents contemporary dance, music and cultural concerts; all of them evening performances from Thursdays to Sundays.
A visit to Central Market will bestow upon you a vivid sense of Kuala Lumpur city life; combined with traditional and diversified cultures that represent Malaysia. One will be able to effortlessly enrich their palates with indigenous and exotic cultures just by trying out a variety of cuisines at the ground floor. There’s even an old English pub to make merry and have drinks!
Many modes of transportation are available; take the Putra Line Rail Transit (LRT) and get off at the Pasar Seni station, or hail a cab and travel a direct route to Central Market. Waste no more time and make Central Market your next destination by heading over to Jalan Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur .
December 5, 2009
Get a feel at Sri Hartamas
Sri Hartamas is one of Kuala Lumpur ’s newest residential neighbourhoods. Its name, which literally means Glowing Estates, is now a prime location because of its growing infrastructure with a country-like feel. Consisting mostly of houses, this neighbourhood is very well taken care of by its residents. The parks and other greeneries are beautifully manicured and the wide streets are kept clean. Such an environment is akin to that of country living. But alas, such beauty and lifestyle comes at a price and the real estate value at Sri Hartamas is considerably higher compared to the other suburbs. It is a magnet for expatriates and upper middle class young professionals who are seeking the status that comes with living in Sri Hartamas.
Sri Hartamas
The city centre is a mere 15 minute drive away and Sri Hartamas has a geographical advantage compared to the many other districts in Kuala Lumpur . It has easy access to three of the major expressways that connect the city to its surrounding areas. The Sprint Expressway, The New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) and The Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP) are all easily accessible from Sri Hartamas. In addition, the Sprint Expressway enables travellers to access two smaller highways which is the Kerinchi Link and the Penchala Link. With the many options at hand, places such as Damansara Heights , Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Bandar Utama and many other districts are easily accessible by road.
Sri Hartamas also has a vibrant and colourful nightlife scene. Restaurants, shops and bars are strategically located at Desa Sri Hartamas, Plaza Damas and the Hartamas Shopping Centre to cater to the entire neighbourhood. Familiar names such as Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Mcdonald’s, Burger King and Guardian Pharmacy sit amidst the offerings that Sri Hartamas has to offer. Completed with fire and police stations, it offers high living with security.
Sri Hartamas
For the physically active, there are choices of country clubs such as The Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, the Royal Selangor Club and the Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club situated nearby. True Fitness Gym and Yoga Zone are also nearby to give fitness more variety. However, if you’re more into mental stimulation, then The National Science Centre, located near the entrance of Sri Hartamas, might just be the answer for you. Across the street from the green dome of the Science Centre is the Securities Commission, a building that is the epitome of modern but modest architecture.
Sri Hartamas provides a healthy balance for its residents and visitors. It is fully equipped with all the conveniences of modern technology such as wireless and broadband internet. It provides an array of activities spanning from shopping to food and sports to nightlife. With such a strategic location and its many facilities, it comes as no surprise that Sri Hartamas has grown to be the hot spot that it is today.
December 4, 2009
Putrajaya
Putrajaya is Malaysia ‘s answer to the overcrowding and congestion that plagues Kuala Lumpur ‘s city centre. It is the country’s very own federal government administration centre while Kuala Lumpur remains as the financial and commercial capital of Malaysia . In an attempt to introduce an electronic government (paperless administration), Putrajaya has been integrated with the latest telecommunication and transportation technologies to increase the level of efficiency that it severely lacked due to its previous infrastructure.
Putrajaya
This new capital might just as well be a ghost town to the locals as it serves no purpose other than to accommodate the headquarters of government offices but its architecture and landscape serves more than just that. The structural design of its buildings range from historical to modern day and it adapts influences from all over the world. The Prime Minister’s Office Complex, Perdana Putra, mixes European elements with Islamic elements and the Putra Mosque blends the styles of Islamic countries such as Iran , Kazakhstan , Morocco and many more. Other places of interest would be the Seri Perdana, Millennium Monument and the Palace of Justice .
Putrajaya has often been called the “intelligent garden city” because of its commitment to the preservation of nature. 70% of its landscape consists of gardens, lakes and parks. There are 13 different gardens ranging from botanical to wetland and the main landscape consists of a 600-hectre man made lake. There are 8 bridges within Putrajaya and two of the notable bridges include Putra Bridge which was inspired by the famous Khaju Bridge in Isfahan , Iran and the Seri Wawasan Bridge which is a modern cable-stayed bridge.
Putrajaya
Alamanda Putrajaya is the one and only shopping centre within Putrajaya. The name ‘ Alamanda ‘ literally translates to your world in the English language. This large complex plays host to many local and international retail and food outlets. Unfortunately, it doesn’t see much of a traffic flow due to its location and the lack of residents within the vicinity. There are three luxury hotels within the area; Marriott Putrajaya, Palm Garden hotel and Shangri-La Hotel Putrajaya. All three hotels provide luxury quarters but due to the lack of visitors they are often unfilled.
Despite being the government administrative district, Putrajaya also offers an array of leisure activities. It’s a place to relax and unwind while breathing in the beauty of the architecture and the landscape that surrounds it.
December 3, 2009
Kuala Lumpur Convenstion Centre (KLCC)
During a visit to Kuala Lumpur , one cannot claim to have been there and done that if he or she has not been to the Suria Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). KLCC has been dubbed a city within a city and is truly one of the most recognizable landmarks in Malaysia , if not the world! The 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers stands majestically as a backdrop behind KLCC and it’s the world’s 2 nd tallest building structure. It is a unique blend of Islamic heritage architecture with contemporary designs. An interesting fact about this world-class structure is a sky bridge on the 41 st floor that connects the twin towers; allowing an observation deck to wow visitors with a bird’s view of KL city. However, take note that this exclusive view is only available to visitors during specified visiting hours.
KLCC
KLCC, Malaysia’s premier shopping destination, offers six levels of the best international and local brands for shoppers far and near. For another eye-popping and delightful experience, one can also choose to go to the live fish feeding viewing session; strictly executed only by divers on duty. For performance arts enthusiasts, a visit to the 864-seater Dewan Fillharmornik Petronas or better known as the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra is an absolute must! This prestigious venue of architectural and acoustic distinction proudly serves its sole purpose by housing the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.
For those who fancy a relaxing stroll in the park, the beautiful landscape surrounding KLCC is the masterpiece of talented Brazilian master of gardens, the late Roberto Burle Marx. It offers a relaxing environment amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. You will find it handy to tote a camera wherever you go, lest you forget to capture picturesque scenery. The awesome Petronas Twin Towers and KLCC paints the ultimate backdrop; guaranteeing perfect scenic shots for all your memorable moments.
KLCC
After hours of leisurely shopping at KLCC, rejuvenate and let your hair down when you’re at the lush hotel rooms in Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur Hotel. You might be a thousand miles away from home, but the wide variety of menu choices ranging from Indian culinary to Western is assured to leave you with a gastronomic experience that will more than satisfy your taste buds.
Apart from shopping, KLCC too rents out their convention floors where corporate and special events are held in grandiose. Restaurants in the shopping mall cover a wide range of tastes; locals and those from afar are warmly welcomed when they are fed with the scrumptious and international spreads under one roof. With everything under the sun that you’ll possibly need, one can only expect the best treatment and hospitality from one of the most important urban spaces in the world… the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre! After visiting it, it would be needless to say that visitors come away awed and determined to revisit KLCC; truly an experience of a lifetime!
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