> > by Christine Pfeiffer
A blend of Moorish, Islamic, British and contemporary architecture gives Kuala Lumpur (better known as KL) an exotic touch. The palatial domes in the administrative capital, Putra Jaya, are out of the pages of a 1001 Arabian Nights fairytale. Their dreamy curves are a contrast to the gleaming 21st-century Petronas Twin Towers, which are some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. For stratospheric views, walk the sky bridge (on levels 41 and 42) linking the two towers or head to the top of KL Tower for a 360-degree panorama of the city.
Cleaner than Bangkok but not as orderly as Singapore, KL is an exceptionally affordable Asian hotspot for luxury hotels, shopping and mouthwatering cuisine. At the time of writing, a room at the five-star Mandarin Oriental costs $160 a night. KL’s enormous air-conditioned shopping malls sell everything from electronics to shoes. Malay, Indian and Chinese cuisine is delicious, inexpensive and can be found in restaurants, street markets and shopping centre food halls. A local favourite is nasi lemak, a dish of chilli sambal, hard-boiled egg and cucumber served on a banana leaf.For a break from shopping and eating, the Lake Gardens is a calm oasis in the city centre and home to KL Bird Park, the world’s largest freeflight walk-in aviary. Nearby, Butterfly Park is a tropical rainforest sanctuary with hundreds of species of butterflies.
There is plenty to do after dark including visiting Petaling Street’s night market in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown where haggling is de rigueur. Slurp a bowl of noodles at a market food stall before heading for a night out at the clubs, bars and pubs. The best nightspots are located around the Golden Triangle area.
City’s sexiest bar: Skybar on the 33rd floor of Traders Hotel for lychee martinis and a magical view of Petronas Twin Towers.
Best Romantic Dining: Tamarind Springs for Indochinese cuisine served in a lush tropical garden setting.
Sensational Shopping: Jalan Bukit Bintang for its shopping malls including Berjaya Times Square, Starhill Gallery and Sungei Wang Plaza.
Don’t miss: Shopping for 18, 22 and 24ct gold jewellery. Reputable jewellery shops can be found in upmarket shopping centres. They sell gold chains, bracelets, rings and pendants by the gram at a fraction of the cost compared to Australia.
Couples will love: Showering each other with gifts, sampling delicious local dishes and meeting friendly locals.