Traveling to Kuala Lumpur - An Introduction to the Vibrant Capital of Malaysia

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tuks_K_Engineer]Tuks K Engineer

Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia, and indeed South East Asia at it's best - in many ways the city combines the best parts of the West with the values and morals of the East, producing one of the most unique and rewarding experiences for every traveler.

The city, on the west coast of the Peninsula of Malaysia has an area of 243 sq miles and is about 40km from the coast of Malaysia - the city itself is nestled within some gloriously sharp hills which makes some great viewing from the air (look out for it as you make your descent, and make sure you request a window seat from wherever you may be flying).

Perhaps the first thing that strikes you as you wander about the Golden Triangle is the bristling cleanliness of the city - even in the most densely populated areas, there is rarely any litter to be found. This is largely due to the combined "Keep Malaysia Clean" mindset of the locals coupled with the investment towards keeping streets clean as provided by the government. Take note, New York and London.

History Of Kuala Lumpur
Not much longer than a hundred or so years ago, Malaysia's now vibrant capital was little more than a dense jungle - even today, as you make your descent from the air, you can see miles of endless jungle in every which direction.

Kuala Lumpur was initially discovered by Chinese prospectors who came in search of tin and set-up a base along the Klang & Gombak river. The name Kuala Lumpur means "muddy river" - and so the city was born, initially as a magnet for tin and metal miners. This was in 1857. In the next century, Malaysia was largely under British rule and the country finally gained independence in 1957 (it is now celebrated as a national holiday).

Today, Malaysia is a mix of many tolerant cultures and races - Chinese, Malay and Indian tend to be the most prominent cultures though the government has long been trying to get it's people to think of themselves as one common Malaysian culture.

The Weather In Kuala Lumpur
If you arrive in Kuala Lumpur with a cold, you'll leave with a clear nose and most probably a very nice tan. The temperature can only dip as low as the early twenties and can rise to the mid thirties in terms of degree 'c.

Kuala Lumpur - Traveling Around Inside The City
Many of the main attractions within Kuala Lumpur are located quite near to one another. It's easy then to think that you can navigate the city by foot but the lack of decent infrastructure (footpaths) for pedestrians coupled with the usually HOT weather can make it a better idea to just take a taxi or the highly impressive monorail to travel about.

Generally taxi drivers are very helpful, chatty and friendly - you get the impression they're genuinely proud of their city and they're only too happy to tell you what you may want to know. It's not exactly cheap to hire a taxi, but it's certainly cheaper than in many other developed cities such as London or New York.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Traveling-to-Kuala-Lumpur---An-Introduction-to-the-Vibrant-Capital-of-Malaysia&id=1435862] Traveling to Kuala Lumpur - An Introduction to the Vibrant Capital of Malaysia