Answer:
Both Sabah and Sarawak are amazing places to visit, and I will definitely recommend both places to any visitor to Borneo. However if you have to choose between 1, it depends on your priorities.

For mountains and diving, Sabah is a better choice with Mt Kinabalu and Semporna. Alltho’ you can do Gunung Mulu in Sarawak, and some day hikes in Kubah, Mt Penrissen or Damai.

For cultural and historic, it have to be at Sarawak. the land of the White Rajahs, Penan, and erstwhile Headhunters. Most of Sabah historical buildings didn’t survive the World War II carpet bombings.

Here are maps of Melaka. The easiest way to reach Melaka is definitely by car or express buses. Here’s how to reach Melaka from Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Singapore.

The UNESCO Historic center of Melaka is compact, and most attractions if not within walking distance of each other are at least within an easy trishaw or taxi ride. The trishaw will take you through streets and corners of Melaka that you could easily miss out if you decide to venture on your own. Wander aimlessly through the famous Jonker Street and make little discoveries of your own.

Eating is almost considered a national pastime in Malaysia, Nyonya food, a combination of Chinese and Malay delicacies is unique here in Melaka with a wide variety of choices.

You can see Melaka’s top sights in a rush on an overnight stay, but you’ll need at least two days to do them justice, and three or four days to really get a sense of the uniqueness of Melaka. In a week, you can get a good look at most of what Melaka has to offer.

This page is interlinked with KTM Train Routes guide page, refer to that page for more information on the intercity train routes.

KTM Online Booking Guide | KTMB Malaysia Map

KTMB MALAYSIA MAP

Seats Availability

To check Seat Availability for all trains
KTMB Seat Availability
*updated every hour!*

KTM Intercity Timetable

1 / 2 – EKSPRES RAKYAT
BUTTERWORTH – WOODLANDS CIQ – WOODLANDS CIQ
Timetable

10 / 11 – EKSPRES SINARAN UTARA
SENTRAL KUALA LUMPUR – BUTTERWORTH – SENTRAL KUALA LUMPUR
Timetable

12 / 13 – EKSPRES SINARAN SELATAN
WOODLANDS CIQ – SENTRAL KUALA LUMPUR – WOODLANDS CIQ
Timetable

14 / 15 – EKSPRES SINARAN TIMUR
WOODLANDS CIQ – TUMPAT – WOODLANDS CIQ
Timetable

18 / 19 – MALAYAN TIGER
JB SENTRAL – TUMPAT – JB SENTRAL

20 / 21 – SENANDUNG LANGKAWI
SENTRAL KUALA LUMPUR – HAT YAI – SENTRAL KUALA LUMPUR
Timetable

22 / 23 – SENANDUNG MUTIARA
SENTRAL KUALA LUMPUR – BUTTERWORTH – SENTRAL KUALA LUMPUR
Timetable

24 / 25 – SENANDUNG SUTERA
WOODLANDS CIQ – SENTRAL KUALA LUMPUR – WOODLANDS CIQ
Timetable

26 / 27 – SENANDUNG TIMURAN
WOODLANDS CIQ – TUMPAT – WOODLANDS CIQ
Timetable

28 / 29 – SENANDUNG WAU
SENTRAL KUALA LUMPUR – TUMPAT – SENTRAL KUALA LUMPUR
Timetable

9201 / 9202 – ET 01 PLATINUM
IPOH – SENTRAL KUALA LUMPUR – IPOH

9301 to 9317 – ET 21 to ET 17 GOLD
IPOH – SENTRAL KUALA LUMPUR – IPOH

9401 to 9404 – ET 51 to 54 SILVER
IPOH – SENTRAL KUALA LUMPUR – IPOH

9501 to 9506 – ET 616263646566 SILVER
IPOH – SEREMBAN – IPOH

KTM KOMUTER Timetable

Seremban – Rawang
Timetable

Rawang Seremban
Timetable

P.Klang – Batu Caves
Timetable

Batu Caves – P.Klang
Timetable

Tg Malim – Rawang – Sg Gadut – Seremban
Timetable

Also known as Thaipooyam or Thaippooyam in Malayalam, it is a festival to mark the birth of Lord Murugan, the youngest son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

The festival also marked an occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (lance) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman.

Hindu devotees in Malaysia celebrated Thaipusam on 8th Feb 2009 to mark the birth of Lord Murugan by going to several temples in the country.

The chanting of “vel, vel” rose above Batu Caves as an estimated 1.2 million Hindu devotees and visitors thronged the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple for Thaipusam 2009.

Here are some amazing photos of the celebration of Thaipusam.

Image credit: SJ Photography

Image credit: kiki-la-la

Image credit: xiangxi

Image credit: xiangxi

Image credit: xiangxi

Here are maps of Penang, and here’s information on Penang Bayan Lepas International Airport and how to get to Georgetown from there. If you are taking an express bus, you will probably arrive at the new bus terminal Sungai Nibong and the Railway Station is on the mainland, located at Butterworth, Seberang Prai, if you took the KTM train. Ferry services are also available from Langkawi daily.

Most of Penang’s fancier accommodation is in the form of beach resorts on the main tourist beach of Batu Ferringhi. More backpacker-friendly options, as well as a few classical luxury hotels, can be found in Georgetown, Other areas to stay in Penang Island include: Tanjung Bungah, Gurney Drive, and Bayan Lepas. Seberang Perai (Mainland) offers several other accommodation alternatives.

Many of Penang’s top sights such as Georgetown, Penang Hill, Weld Quay Clan Jetties, Kek Lok Si Temple, and the Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple, are in Penang Island. For beach lovers, Penang’s best beaches are on the northern side, particularly Batu Ferringhi, but do be prepared for the heavy tourist crowd especially during peak seasons.

Eating is almost considered a national past time here, so dine on authentic Malaysian cuisine in an excellent restaurant, or simply grab a chair by the countless food stalls. Consume a Char Kway Teow along Penang street, and you’ll realize why it’s my favourite dish in Malaysia.

You can see Penang’s top sights in a rush on an overnight stay, but you’ll need at least two days to do them justice, and three or four days to really get a sense of the island. In a week, you can get a good look at most of what Penang has to offer.

Welcome to Penang, The Pearl of the Orient.

Currently Berjaya Air is the only airline that is operating flights direct to Pangkor Airport from Kualu Lumpur Subang Airport.

Lumut is the gateway to Pulau Pangkor. Here’s how to get to Lumut.
Air
KTM Train
Taxi
Car
Express Bus

From Lumut, you have to take a ferry to Pulau Pangkor which departs every 30 minutes during the day and cost RM 10 for a return ticket.

Getting around Pulau Pangkor is really simple. You can choose to rent a motorbike, a bicycle or use the unmetered taxis widely available.

The main draw to Pulau Pangkor is undoubtedly the white sandy beaches.
Pantai Pasir Bogak
Teluk Nipah has 2 beaches: Nipah Beach and Coral Bay
Teluk Ketapang
Pantai Puteri Dewi
Teluk Segadas
Emerald Bay (on Pangkor Laut)

However other attractions on Pulau Pangkor makes an excellent full day excursion. You can get to these places easily on a rented motorbike or bicycle.
Pangkor Town
Fishing Villages
Fu Lin Kong Temple
Kali Amman Temple
Batu Bersurat and Tiger Rock
Dutch Fort (Kota Belanda)
The Tombs
Tortoise Hill

Here’s the full hotel list on Pulau Pangkor.

Pangkor Laut is a privately owned island 20-minute boat ride from Pulau Pangkor, it boasts one of the finest beaches in the Straits of Malacca. Pangkor Laut is home to Pangkor Laut Resort an exclusive resort named after the island.

Malaysia Islands and Beaches

• Malaysia Islands and Beaches Guide
• Langkawi
• Penang Beaches
• Port Dickson
• Johor Islands and Beaches
• Desaru
• Tioman
• Cherating
• Terengganu Islands and Beaches
• Sabah Islands and Beaches
• Sarawak Islands and Beaches

Langkawi

Langkawi Travel Guide

• Best Time to Visit
• Where to Stay
• Where & What to Eat
• Nightlife
• To Do List
• Stay Away From
• Getting There

Langkawi, a holiday paradise that combines a tranquil setting from the natural world and luxury from the modern accommodation facilities offering opulence and scenery all at once.

The island of Langkawi, Malaysia is an exotic holiday destination that offers accommodation of all kinds (from budget beach chalets to the most sybaritic five star resorts) and amenities sitting side by side with idyllic beaches, ancient rainforests and quaint villages. Langkawi Malaysia is an archipelago of 99 tropical islands (or 104, depending on tide) off the north-western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, about 30km from Kuala Perlis on the mainland. The island was named after two Malay words – ‘lang’ (eagle) and ‘kawi’ (reddish brown), hence the imposing eagle statue at Dataran Lang (Eagle Square), welcoming visitors who arrive on the island through the Kuah Jetty.

The archipelago has some of the world’s most pristine rainforests, limestone and karst formations, caves with stunning stalactites and stalagmites, and among the world’s most beautiful beaches washed by clear emerald waters teeming with marine life.

ATMs and Money Exchange booths are available at the Langkawi Airport, at Langkawi Parade Shopping Complex and next to Underwater World at Pantai Cenang.

Langkawi is a duty-free island, and alcohol is significantly cheaper here than in the rest of Malaysia. Hotel tariffs and retail goods are exempt from government duty. Visitors with more than 48 hr stay in Langkawi are exempt on items like wines and liquor (1 liter), tobacco (200 cigarettes), apparel, cosmetics, souvenirs and gifts, food and food preparations and portable electronic items (one item).

Best Time to Visit

Langkawi, Malaysia is warm and sunny all-year-round. Humidity is high and the annual average temperature is 25C – 32C. Even during rainy season, the mornings are usually filled with sunshine, with the rain coming during overcast afternoons. The mid-season (neither dry nor rainy) is from mid April until August. The mornings are again sunny, but the afternoons can be overcast. The dry season is from mid November until mid April, during which time there is very little rain.

Where to Stay

Casa Del Mar Hotel
Jalan Pantai Cenang, Mukim Kedawang, Pantai Cenang, Langkawi, Malaysia 07000
A 4 star 34 room boutique resort located on the beach at Pantai Cenang. Offering all sea view accommodation in the tourist area of Langkawi, you are just 10 minutes or 7km’s (4miles) from the airport. read more …

The Danna Langkawi Hotel
Telaga Harbour Park, Pantai Kok, Langkawi, Malaysia 07000
Resting peacefully on the west coast of Langkawi Island, this property is surrounded by 2.8 acres of greenery. Capturing a breath taking viw of the green mountains and the marina, The Danna Langkawi Hotel is a few steps away from the white sandy beach. read more …

Tanjung Sanctuary Langkawi Resort
Pantai Kok, Langkawi, Malaysia 07100
Featuring 67 acres of land and private beach, this romantic hotel presents 30 spacious and airy bungalows that provides magnificent views. read more …

Tanjung Rhu Resort
Tanjung Rhu, Mukim Ayer Hangat, Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi, Malaysia
Nestled amidst 1100 acres of rainforest, this eco-friendly resort captures a spectacular view of of the Andaman Sea. Tanjung Rhu Resort boasts 136 tastefully designed rooms and suites that incorporate all five star amenities to ensure utmost comfort. read more …

The Andaman
Jalan Teluk Datai, Datai Bay Area, Langkawi, Malaysia
Bordered by an archaic tropical forest, this property is ideal for an eco-vacation. Nestled between the Cincang Mountain and the untouched Andaman Sea, this property combines a tranquil setting from the natural world and luxury from the resort, offering opulence and scenery all at once. read more …

Where & What to Eat

There’s a huge variety of food available on Pulau Langkawi, ranging from cheap and good hawker food to a splurge for gourmet food in the restaurants. The famous laksa is not to be missed.

Nightlife

Because of Langkawi’s tax-free status, alcohol is much cheaper than in the rest of Malaysia. Religious Muslims do not consume alcoholic drinks, and while they do tolerate non Muslims who do, try not to behave in a rowdy imbibed manner near them, their houses, mosques, and please respect local culture and communal sensitivities. For those living on a budget, you can obtain alcohol at cheap prices from the local duty free shops – the larger the outlets, the lower the prices. Expect to pay RM25 for 1L Absolut, RM45 for 1L Kahlua, RM60 for 1L Bailey’s, and RM5-12for 330 ml can beer.

Despite low alcohol prices, Langkawi is predominantly popular with couples and families. Single travellers and backpackers may therefore be disappointed with the lack of nightlife. Most bars remain empty, particularly in the low season, and the 1-2 nightclubs may only seem worthwhile in the peak season, and even then only on Friday or Saturday nights. Overall, Langkawi provides a family-friendly alternative to Thai locations such as Phuket and Koh Samui.

My to do List

There’s so much to see and to do in Langkawi; diving and snorkeling in the pristine water filled with rich marine life tops the list for most people. You can also take a cable car ride up the mountain that offers a breathtaking 360 degrees panoramic view of the islands, the rural lowlands and the seas as far as Thailand. For nature lovers, you can explore the lush forests and appreciate the unique wildlife of the islands from a different perspective.

Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls aka Seven Wells, (Gunung Mat Cincang, Northwest corner of the island, 45 kms from Kuah, walking distance from Oriental village and cable car (10 min)), This waterfall is named after the seven natural pools along its path. Legend has it that fairies used to come down to the pools to bathe and frolic. There are 2 viewing areas at Telaga Tujuh. The lower area is at the base of the waterfall and the higher area is where the 7 pools are. You can bathe in the pools and even slide down the slick rock between them. Be warned, to get to the 7 pools, you have to climb 300+ steps which can get quite slippery when wet. As with most Malaysian tourist sites, the toilet facilities are not maintained and rubbish is strewn everywhere. There is also a jungle trekking course available at the site which will lead you through a trail of up to 2,500 m, up 2 different mountains. This trail is achievable with slippers, but it is best to wear comfortable hiking shoes or boots as some segments of the trail are nearly vertical. Be warned that these trails are not recommended for family trips.

Gunung Raya, (take the snaking paved road through the jungle). The tallest mountain on the island, at 881m. Spectacular views from the lookout point on the top. There is a resort hotel serving meals and indifferent coffee at the summit. There is a lookout tower which one may climb for RM 10.

Pantai Cenang - The most popular beach in Langkawi, features fine powdery sand and many beachfront restaurants and bars. Located at the south-western tip of the island, 2 km long.

Stay Away From

Langkawi can have a lot of mosquitoes depending on the time of year and location (ie Mangrove areas), so don’t forget to use mosquito repellent.

Be careful driving around Langkawi at night. Although main roads are well-lit, some of the more minor roads are not very well lit and may pass through Kampungs (traditional Malay villages) or rural areas where the locals seem to take a very casual approach to road safety.

Beware of smart wild monkeys. Those at Tengkorak beach attack humans who have food.

Jelly fishes are also becoming increasingly prevalent and have caused at least one death – a Swedish tourist in early 2010. Do not swim at night or when you have been drinking.

Don’t participate in certain activities such as eagle feeding and monkey feeding as this harms the animals by encouranging them to become reliant on tourists and you may give them the wrong food.

Beware of restaurants telling you that they only have the bigger size lobsters or crabs available, as that is what they tell everyone. When your lobster or crab is served, you will discover that you will definitely be paying for 900g of shell instead of meat!

Getting There

The island of Langkawi can be reached through sea and air.

The Langkawi International Airport is one of the 7 international airports in Malaysia is 25 minutes’ drive from Kuah city center and is the point of entry for most tourists, and connects the island to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Penang, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Phuket and also Subang. The following airlines offer service to/from Langkawi: AirAsia , Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, Happy Airways, and SilkAir.

Malaysia Airlines
Local: 1300 88 3000
International: +60 (0)3 7846 3000

Air Asia
Local: 1300 88 99 33
International: +60 03 7884 9000

Silk Air Singapore
+65 (0)6 223 8888

Langkawi Ferry operates fast A/C boats from Kuala Perlis (RM18, 75 min), Kuala Kedah (RM23, 105 min), Penang (RM60, 165 min), and Satun(RM30 or THB300, 75 min), (Satun ferry to Langkawi: last boat departs Satun at 4PM. Telaga Harbour operates ferries from Ko Lipe, Thailand twice per day during the high season, at 9:30AM and 2:30PM (RM128 1-way, RM248 return, 75 min). These boats dock at the south end of Pattaya Beach. Bookings can be made online.

The Express Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur promises a comfortable and economical journey up to Alor Setar (Kedah) and/or Arau(Perlis). From Alor Setar or Arau, buses and taxis are available to Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis respectively, from where the Ferry Services take you to the island.

Malaysia Islands and Beaches

• Malaysia Islands and Beaches Guide
• Penang Beaches
• Pangkor Island
• Port Dickson
• Johor Islands and Beaches
• Desaru
• Tioman
• Cherating
• Terengganu Islands and Beaches
• Sabah Islands and Beaches
• Sarawak Islands and Beaches

From KLIA

Only Airport Limo (Budget, Premier & Luxury) are allowed to pick up passengers at the airport, rates vary according to the destination zones . The purchase of the fixed price vouchers are at counter located at The International arrival area just after Customs before the public arrival area, level 3, Main Terminal Building . These taxis are operated by AIRPORT LIMO (M) SDN BHD , and their vehicle registration number has the word “LIMO”.

TIP: Do NOT speak to any of the taxi touts as they will con foreigners, they may charge more than Airport Limo taxis. You will also not be covered by insurance if an accident happens.

You are to pay in Malaysian currency. So, do have some RM currency notes on you upon arrival.

Prices to KL City:
Budget: RM67.40
Premier: RM 92.40
Luxury: RM180.40

There is a midnight surcharge, chargeable ON SERVICE BETWEEN 12 MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM.
Budget: RM86.40
Premier: RM118.40
Luxury: RM233.40

Type of vehicles used:
Budget: Deawoo Tacuma or Proton Wira. Proton Wira is our country national pride- our National car with the collaboration of Mitsubishi (during the early days), then later, we had technical collaboration with Lotus Engineering of UK. Also, occassionally the reconditioned Toyota Crown, which were once used at the Subang Airport.

Premier: Renault Enviro or Mercedes E220 . The E220 is the old version, i.e. without the big front headlights,and of course, the later version of the E series were of the sportier version; with some facelift on rear lights and streamlined body. Also they have expanded the fleet in the premier category, with the Proton Perdana. Also our National Car, but compared to the Proton Wira, this comes with leather seats and longer legbase.

Luxury: Jaguar S-type!

To KLIA from KL

Any taxi can bring passengers to KLIA, including Kuala Lumpur’s metered red-and-white taxis, although you will find it very difficult to get drivers to use the meters. Make sure you agree on a price before getting into the taxi. Fares should be between RM60 and RM90.

General Tips

If there are two or more people travelling together, taxis are often cheaper. And it brings you to the door of your destination!

Alternative Methods

Cheapest way will be an airport bus to KL Sentral and from there to your hotel.

The fastest way is with KLIA express. The klia express goes every 15 mins and is RM35 per adult single. Its convenient at only 28 mins. then either get the monorail or taxi.

Shopping

Although there are three malls in Bangsar, the area still offers more of a neighbourhood shopping experience. Midvalley, on the other hand, is all about mall shopping and attracts the masses, especially during weekends.

Bangsar Shopping Centre, Jalan Maarof – Better known as BSC, this mini shopping centre is a favourite among expats and the locals staying around the Bangsar & Damansara Heights neighbourhood. Plenty of cafes & restaurants – a good spot to meet up with friends. BSC also features speciality stores plus the Cold Storage Supermarket.

Bangsar Village, Jalan Ara – This is another favourite with those staying around Bangsar & Damansara Heights neighbourhood. Bangsar Village 2 is linked to the original Bangsar Village by a covered pedestrian bridge.

Mid Valley Megamall – This really is “mega” with over 430 shops crammed into what claims to be one of South-East Asia’s largest shopping malls. Anchor tenants include big department stores and hypermarkets such as Malaysian arm of AEON Japan called Jusco, local store Metrojaya and French hypermarket Carrefour. If you need to change money, the lower ground floor has several money changers. The Megamall is connected to the upmarket The Gardens at Mid Valley. (KTM Komuter: Mid-Valley)

The Gardens at Mid Valley – This mall is anchored by a high-end shopping gallery (anchor tenants include Isetan, Robinson’s and Market Place), two landmark office towers, five-star Gardens Residences and five-star Gardens Hotel. The mall is linked to the Abdullah Hukum LRT station. (KTM Komuter: Mid-Valley)

Eating & Drinking

Bangsar has been a restaurant district for quite some time, thanks to the high expatriate numbers. Midvalley with its malls also offer an amazing array of food choices.

Bangsar has long been one of the busiest places in KL past midnight and the action is around centred on Jalan Telawi and its side streets. Midvalley has a few pubs and coffee places.

Getting There

Although there is a Bangsar station on the Kelana Jaya light rail transit line, it is situated along Jalan Bangsar and not near the restaurant and drinking area of Bangsar Baru. From the station, you’ll have to catch buses RapidKL No U87 to get you to Bangsar Baru. This bus also goes past MidValley.

The easiest way to get to Midvalley is to catch a KTM Komuter train to Midvalley station. The station is linked to the Mall via a covered walkway with escalators. The other alternative is to catch an LRT to Bangsar station and transfer onto a Midvalley free shuttle bus (which runs every half hour) or RapidKL bus No U87/U85/B105/B110 (which runs every 30-60 minutes during off-peak hours).

Another way to travel to Bangsar is by Taxi. There is an abundance of them in Kuala Lumpur and most of them will not hesitate to bring you over to Bangsar. The fares will vary depending on where you are coming from and should not cost more than RM10.00 to RM15.00 from the center of town.

Located to the northeast of the Central KL, the Golden Triangle roughly covers the area north of Jalan Pudu, south of Jalan Ampang and west of Jalan Imbi and Jalan Tun Razak. It includes the ever busy shopping area of Bukit Bintang, the office towers of Jalan Raja Chulan, the Jalan Sultan Ismail five-star hotel strip, the Jalan P. Ramlee party street, and the entire Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) (not to be confused with KL’s traditional City Centre) which is home to the Petronas Twin Towers, Suria KLCC shopping centre, KLCC Convention Centre and the KLCC Park.

Getting There

The best ways to reach the Golden Triangle are by monorail and light rail transit, depending on which part of the district you want to get to. Monorail is best for the Bukit Bintang area and environs (including Jalan Imbi, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Raja Chulan) while the LRT is the perfect way to get to the KLCC and Jalan Ampang areas.

The main monorail stations (and the adjacent shopping centres and important landmarks) in the Golden Triangle are Imbi (Berjaya Times Square), Bukit Bintang (Sungei Wang Plaza, Bukit Bintang Plaza, Lot 10, Star Hill Gallery, KL Plaza, Pavillion), Raja Chulan (offices along Jalan Raja Chulan and Jalan Sultan Ismail) and Bukit Nanas (Concorde Hotel, Rennaissance Hotel and Good World Hotel). Bukit Nanas station is also a short walk to the Dang Wangi LRT station.

The main LRT stations serving the district are Dang Wangi (for the area around the Jalan Ampang-Jalan Sultan Ismail intersection), KLCC (KLCC, Petronas Twin Towers, Avenue K) and Ampang Park (for Ampang Park shopping centre and Nikko Hotel).

Things to do

Petronas Twin Towers, KLCC, Jalan Ampang (Kelana Jaya Line: KLCC). Open 8:30AM-5PM except Monday. Until recently the tallest buildings in the world, they have since been surpassed by other buildings in height but remain among the most spectacular. Visitors may pick up passes to marvel at the view from the Skybridge (level 41-42), one of the highest suspended bridges in the world. Entry is now RM50 (December 2011) and limited to the first 1200 who show up, so get there early (best is 7:45 to 8:00 AM) because available tickets are usually snapped up by 11:00. In general you have about 10 minutes at the Skybridge. The view is not particularly inspiring and note that you are only permitted to spend around ten minutes up there.

Aquaria KLCC, KLCC Convention Centre Basement Levels 1 and 2 (Kelana Jaya Line: KLCC), A gigantic aquarium recently opened, housing 5,000 varieties of tropical fish. Has an underwater tunnel, various exhibits of flora and fauna, and multimedia kiosks. Aquaria “offers a unique underwater ‘edu-tainment experience”, as stated on the KLCC website. Open from 11 AM to 8 PM daily, including school and public holidays; last admission at 7pm. Entrance fee for adults: RM38 (RM28 with the Malaysian ID card – MyKad); Children 3-12 years old: RM26 (RM22 with MyKad); for those below 3 years old, admission free. RM25 for students. Make sure you carry student ID cards.

Petrosains, KLCC Level 4 (Kelana Jaya Line: KLCC) An exhibit of the science and technology behind the petroleum industry and more. A great place to bring kids, but not too high on the agenda for older folks. Adults RM25, teens RM20, children RM15; you must book your tickets at least 30 minutes in advance (expect queues on weekends).

KL Tower (Menara KL), Jalan Punchak. The viewing deck at 276m provides great city views, and you’ll be a few metres higher than the Twin Towers since the tower is built on a hill (also, the twin towers observation deck is 100m below at 170m). Entry to the viewing deck by express elevator costs RM38 and is open from 9 AM to 10 PM daily; this includes use of a PDA for a multimedia guided tour of the view and use of the binoculars. For a free bonus, check out the wonderfully bombastic free film on the tower’s construction, screened in a little cinema on the tower ground floor. It is possible to come up one floor higher to the revolving restaurant but only by dining there (between RM40 to RM140, including the ride up from the base). There is free shuttle bus service from the main gate to the base of the tower, though number of seats in the bus is very limited. There is also a Hackett Bungee ride and flying fox for RM30 which operates at the base of KL Tower.

Shopping

Bukit Bintang is the main shopping area of the Golden Triangle with many of KL’s most well-known malls. The main shopping streets are Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Imbi. KLCC has the popular Suria KLCC mall while the adjacent Jalan Ampang also has several shopping complexes.

Sungei Wang Plaza, Jalan Bukit Bintang (direct bridge to Monorail Bukit Bintang), Bukit Bintang. A popular place among local teenagers where fashion clothes, shoes, accessories and other trinkets and local designer clothes can be found with affordable price. A great place to buy cameras and watches (discounts are given for cash payments, although credit cards are accepted). Sungei Wang also hosts a concentration of tailors of men’s and women’s clothing. This is a maze of a mall, take a compass with you to find your way out!

Lot 10, Jalan Bukit Bintang, (direct bridge to Monorail Bukit Bintang), Bukit Bintang. A favourite among Malaysians and tourists alike, Lot 10 is Bukit Bintang’s very own “Emerald City”, housing boutiques that will appeal to shoppers looking for goods in all price brackets. It houses the Isetan department store.

Fahrenheit 88, Jalan Bukit Bintang. Previously known as previously known as KL Plaza, major tenants include Uniqlo.

Starhill Gallery, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, adjoining JW Marriott Hotel. The nearest station to this mall is Monorail Bukit Bintang. Starhill is a literally an English translation of “Bukit Bintang”. An upscale, luxury retail mall that rivals Suria KLCC for designer goods, is worth a visit just to look at the different interior designs especially ‘Feast’ floor (Ground Floor). A must-visit for watch aficionados as the ‘Adorn’ floor (1st floor) houses the biggest selection of designer wrist-watch boutiques like, amongst others, Jaeger-Le Coultre, Roger Dubuis, Audemars Piguet, Breguet, Tag Heuer, Omega, Vacheron Constantin, IWC, Patek Philippe and Rolex, of course. Great if you have lots of cash to splurge.

Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Bukit Bintang, opposite the Starhill Gallery. This KL’s latest luxury megamall is an anchor piece of the world-class urban development comprising two luxury residential towers, a corporate office. The mall has six distinctive precincts, Couture Pavilion, Bintang Circle, Gourmet_Emporium, Connection, Seventh Heaven and Home that contains approximately 450 stores, providing customers with infinite choices and the latest in fashion, entertainment, health and beauty, electronic, gourmet food and countless others. There is pedestrian bridge that links the mall to KLCC.

Low Yat Plaza, Jalan Bukit Bintang (Monorail Imbi, walk past Melia and turn left into an alley before Imbi Plaza or exit from Monorail Bukit Bintang towards Jalan Bukit Bintang south), Bukit Bintang. A good place for computer hardware, game consoles and handphones. A “must visit” for the tech inclined. All IT Hypermart (4th floor) is a good one-stop shop, but there are dozens of specialist computing boutiques for the enthusiast.

Berjaya Times Square, Jalan Imbi (direct bridge to Monorail Imbi), Bukit Bintang. A gargantuan ten-story shopping mall that houses the Malaysian department store Metrojaya, the Cosmo’s World theme park (see Do) plus an IMAX theater. The upper floors are still a bit sparse but it’s starting to reach critical mass and can get quite packed on weekends.

Other shopping malls in the Bukit Bintang area include BB Plaza, KL Plaza, a mini retail annexe known as Piccolo Galeria.

Suria KLCC, – Located beneath the Petronas Twin Towers (LRT Kelana Jaya Line: KLCC). An upscale shopping centre with plenty of designer labels and brands, KLCC has quickly become one of the top hangout-spots in KL. Some very good eating options too. You will see more tourists than locals here though. The LRT stops at another shopping mall called Avenue K. There is a tunnel from the train station which links to Suria KLCC.

Eat

You’ll find any kind of food that you ever wanted to try in the Golden Triangle. For budget streetside food, there is Jalan Alor (although the area is becoming a little too touristy), while expensive restaurants line Changkat Bukit Bintang. Jalan Imbi and the roads running off it have many Chinese restaurants. Jalan Bukit Bintang near the intersection with Jalan Sultan Ismail is becoming the focal point of KL’s Middle Eastern restaurants. All the malls in the Golden Triangle have foodcourts where you can try local and international fare in comfortably air-conditioned surroundings.

Drink

The Golden Triangle is the party heart of KL. Here, you’ll find many of the city’s entertainment spots, whether they’re dance clubs, karaoke joints or just watering holes. The main party drag is Jalan P. Ramlee near the intersection with Jalan Sultan Ismail, whereas the area between Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Imbi are better known for its Chinese-style hostess nightclubs. For something quieter, Changkat Bukit Bintang offers a few pubs. Most five-star hotels also have clubs and bars.

The area also has its fair share of coffee places, mostly belonging to the usual international or local chains. However, Malaysians usually like to head to “Mamak stalls” to wind down after a night of partying. These can be found almost everywhere, especially where there are many clubs, and you can get teh tarik and other warm bevearage and food like rot canai at these stalls.

Sleep

Although better known for its collection of five-star hotels, the Golden Triangle also has a few budget places offering relatively cheap beds when compared with Chinatown in the City Centre.

Pavillion Residences
168 Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 55100
Superb location, awesome room! read more …

Traders Hotel by Shangri-La
Kuala Lumpur City Centre, KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50088
Located right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur City Centre, next to KLCC Park and opposite the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, while the International Airport is a 45 minutes drive away. Furthermore, the hotel has direct access to the KL Convention Center and offers 24-hour business services, making it a firm favorite with business travelers. read more …

Carcosa Seri Negara
Taman Tasik Perdana, KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50480
Originally built to house the first British High Commissioner, this luxury hotel is seeped in history. The two mansions that make up the hotel sit atop two hills, just 15 minutes from Kuala Lumpur. read more …

Prince Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur
No. 4 Jalan Conlay, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50450
Situated between Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle Shopping area in Bukit Bintang and the Convention Center. Its strategic location makes it very popular among both business and leisure travelers. read more …

PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Kuala Lumpur
No 1, Jln Nagasari off Jln Raja Chulan, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50200
Located in the heart of city centre and within an easy walking distance to the city’s main business, retail and entertainment districts. read more …

Crowne Plaza Mutiara Kuala Lumpur
Jalan Sultan Ismail, KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50250
This landmark hotel is brilliantly situated among five acres of landscaped gardens in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s business, entertainment and shopping district. Crowne Plaza Mutiara Kuala Lumpur is only a five-minute walk from the world famous PETRONAS Twin Towers, Pavilion shopping center, Aquairia KLCC, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Suria KLCC shopping center, and the streets of Jalan Ramlee and Bukit Bintang. read more …

InterContinental Kuala Lumpur Hotel
165, Jalan Ampang, KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Located along prestigious Jalan Ampang in the heart of the city’s business, shopping and entertainment districts, and within easy reach of Kuala Lumpur City Center and the Ampang Park LRT Station. read more …

Ritz Carlton Hotel Kuala Lumpur
168, Jalan Imbi, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 55100
Located at Kuala Lumpur’s most prestigious address in the Golden Triangle district, only minutes from all of the city’s exciting shopping malls and attractions. read more …

JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur
183 Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 55100
Convenient to everything Kuala Lumpur has to offer, and is only 70 kms away from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. read more …

Hilton Kuala Lumpur Hotel
3 Jalan Stesen Sentral, KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50470
Named as Kuala Lumpur’s Best City Hotel in 2011 by TTG Asia and Business Traveler as well as the Best Business Hotel 2011 by Expatriate Lifestyle. Only 28 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur International Airport by direct train. read more …