Kuala LumpurCapital
Malaysia · Country profile
Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is a young, gleaming metropolis that rose from the tin and the rubber of the colonial era into a city of skyscrapers, malls and the most famous towers in the world. The twin towers of the Petronas, the golden domes of the great mosque and the colonial facades of the old centre frame the skyline, and the Chinese, the Malay and the Indian quarters give the food and the markets their extraordinary range. The hills of the city ring and the parks of its centre hide the forest and the waterfalls within the noise of the traffic. Hot, green, fast and friendly, Kuala Lumpur repays a confident, curious visit.
About Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. The city's documented population is around 2,108,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) and Malay is spoken; the dialling code is +60. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
The Twin Towers, the Chinatown and the Golden Domes
Kuala Lumpur is a hot, fast, supremely modern capital whose visual identity is the twin towers of the Petronas, but whose soul is its food and its layered neighbourhoods. The tower park, the old centre of the colonial era and the golden mosque frame the city, and the Chinatown, the Little India and the Malay quarters spread the markets and the meals of the whole region. The city is a gateway and a hub, with the forest parks of the outskirts and the caves of the limestone hills an easy day out. The transit is modern, the English is easy and the food is the great attraction.
The Observation Decks, the Trains and the Monsoon Season
The hot, wet climate runs year-round, and the driest and the most comfortable months are the early summer and the new year; the monsoon rains fall fast and heavy in the afternoons of the seasons. The observation decks of the towers and the museum and the aquarium book their slots ahead. The city’s transit, the trains and the new cable line, is clean, cheap and easy, and the app-taxis fill the rest. The street food of the quarters is the essential experience, and the dress code at the great mosque covers the body. The ringgit is the currency and the cards work everywhere, with the small change for the street stalls.
The Street Eats, the Caves of the Batu and the Parks
The twin towers are the icon, but the view of them from the tower of the neighbouring menara and the park at their feet is the better shot; the evening laser show runs nightly at the lake. The transit of the city, the LRT and the MRT, reaches the caves of the Batu and the bird park of the lake gardens, and the cable car of the hills gives the green escape of the day. The great mosque of the city opens its doors to the visitors in the free hours, and the street markets of the late evening carry the whole of the region’s food. The old centre, the colonial Square, holds the history untouched by the skyline.
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- Country
- Malaysia
- Population
- 2,108,000
- Coordinates
- 2.7456, 101.7099
- Capital
- Kuala Lumpur
- Region
- Asia
- Currency
- Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
- Languages
- Malay
- Calling code
- +60
- Country code
- MY
Entry requirements for Malaysia
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Malaysia for tourism.
Getting to Kuala Lumpur
Airports we list for Kuala Lumpur:
Frequently asked questions
Is Kuala Lumpur the capital of Malaysia?
Yes — Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia.
What currency do I need in Kuala Lumpur?
The local currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). Languages spoken in Malaysia include Malay.
What is the dialling code for Malaysia?
The international dialling code for Malaysia is +60.
Which airport should I fly into for Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is the airport we list for Kuala Lumpur.
Do I need a visa to visit Malaysia?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Morocco and United States currently enter Malaysia visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Kuala Lumpur? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.