Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur — 'KL' to the locals — is Malaysia's capital and largest city, a restless metropolis where the Petronas Twin Towers pierce the sky above colonial buildings, old Chinese shophouses, Moorish mosques and pockets of lush greenery. Its name means 'muddy confluence', a nod to its birth at the meeting point of the Klang and Gombak rivers during the tin-mining boom.

Today KL is a cultural melting pot where Malay, Chinese and Indian traditions express themselves in temple spires, sizzling street-food stalls and gleaming shopping malls. From the futuristic skyline of KLCC to the heritage lanes of the old town, this is a city of endless contrasts — and one of the most exciting gateways to South-East Asia.

Kuala Lumpur is a food lover's paradise. Its multicultural heritage means you can find authentic Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine, often at incredibly affordable prices. From buzzing street-food stalls to sophisticated fine dining, there is something for every palate.

Head to the city's hawker centres and kopitiams (traditional coffee shops) for breakfast classics such as roti canai and nasi lemak, or dive into the chaos of the night markets for snacks, fresh sugar-cane juice and tropical fruit that changes with the seasons.