http://www.asiaone.com/Travel/Places+%26+Interests/Story/A1Story20090523-143381.html
Sun, May 24, 2009
The New Paper
World of fun for everyone
by Tan Mae Lynn
KUALA LUMPUR may seem like just another big city north of our border. But that also means we have yet another place to venture for more shopping, food and activities for the family.
The Petronas Twin Towers is set against the backdrop of the beautifully landscaped Kuala Lumpur City Centre.
And often, all that at half the price (given the favourable exchange rate).
With several daily flights on budget carriers to the Malaysian capital, commuting to KL is easy and affordable.
For example, if you choose dates on which sale fares are offered (which is most of the time), you could easily fly there for less than $100. This makes it particularly attractive for the restless traveller who can just hop on a flight up for the weekend.
Once in KL, try doing something more than the usual shopping and food trail.
For starters, take a nature trail in the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve in the heart of the city near the KL Tower.
Its rich diversity of plant life includes rare herbs, creepers, ferns, climbers and giant bamboo grasses.
The forest reserve is about 11ha and is the only tropical forest area in KL. It is a gazetted wildlife reserve and bird sanctuary. Approximately 5 ha of the total area is a virgin forest.
Take a walk through one of the nature trails and you may come across long-tailed macaques or silver leaf monkeys.
For a more educational experience, there are guided tours through the forest reserve available.
Families with young children might enjoy the Lake Gardens located near the National Mosque on Jalan Perdana.
Built around two lakes, the public park spans a massive 92ha (approximately 15 times the size of Kallang national stadium).
Visitors can come up close with the famous Malaysian mousedeer or kancil at the Deer Park.
An attraction that would particularly interest children is the Deer Park, where visitors are allowed to comeup close with the deer.
There are several deer species in the park, including the famous Malaysian mousedeer or kancil.
The kancil are often mentioned in Malaysian folktales as it is believed to have a cunning wit. Legend has it that the little creature, in spite of its size, is able to outwit and defeat larger animals like tigers, crocodiles and snakes.
Feeding is allowed, but food has to be purchased at ticketing counters in the park.
If you have more time to spend, take a day trip away from the city to Pulau Ketam (crab island).
It is about an 1hr 15 min by train from KL Sentral to Port Klang terminal. From there, a high-speed ferry will get you to the island in 30 minutes.
The island houses fishing villages built on stilts above mangrove swamps and, as its name implies, is famous for crabs and seafood.
A popular tourist spot, visitors can explore the island and fish farms on foot, bicycle or join a tour for RM30($13). It includes a seafood lunch.
Of course, no trip to KL is complete without shopping. For the typical Singaporean traveller to KL, these are must-dos in the Malaysian capital.
One of the biggest draws of KL shopping is the huge KLCC shopping centre. Here, you?ll find top fashion and luxury brand shops. Even if you?re a fast shopper, you?d need about half a day to cover this mall.
One of the newer malls in the city is the Pavilion. The 7-storey mall in Bukit Bintang offers a range of branded retail names from Coach, Armani and DKNY to local designers and popular clothing outlets like Zara and Guess.
For those who enjoy street shopping, KL's Petaling Street in Chinatown offers all things from fashion accessories to herbal medicines.
There are also many night markets in and around KL for visitors to explore after the malls shut. It is best to check with your local taxi driver or hotel concierge for the market closest to you.
Shopoholics will want to start planning for the Malaysian MegaSale Carnival starting this July.
Take a day trip to Pulau Ketam, Crab Island, to visit fishing villages and enjoy seafood.
This article was first published in The New Paper special "Travel Malaysia 2009".
Sun, May 24, 2009
The New Paper
World of fun for everyone
by Tan Mae Lynn
KUALA LUMPUR may seem like just another big city north of our border. But that also means we have yet another place to venture for more shopping, food and activities for the family.
The Petronas Twin Towers is set against the backdrop of the beautifully landscaped Kuala Lumpur City Centre.
And often, all that at half the price (given the favourable exchange rate).
With several daily flights on budget carriers to the Malaysian capital, commuting to KL is easy and affordable.
For example, if you choose dates on which sale fares are offered (which is most of the time), you could easily fly there for less than $100. This makes it particularly attractive for the restless traveller who can just hop on a flight up for the weekend.
Once in KL, try doing something more than the usual shopping and food trail.
For starters, take a nature trail in the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve in the heart of the city near the KL Tower.
Its rich diversity of plant life includes rare herbs, creepers, ferns, climbers and giant bamboo grasses.
The forest reserve is about 11ha and is the only tropical forest area in KL. It is a gazetted wildlife reserve and bird sanctuary. Approximately 5 ha of the total area is a virgin forest.
Take a walk through one of the nature trails and you may come across long-tailed macaques or silver leaf monkeys.
For a more educational experience, there are guided tours through the forest reserve available.
Families with young children might enjoy the Lake Gardens located near the National Mosque on Jalan Perdana.
Built around two lakes, the public park spans a massive 92ha (approximately 15 times the size of Kallang national stadium).
Visitors can come up close with the famous Malaysian mousedeer or kancil at the Deer Park.
An attraction that would particularly interest children is the Deer Park, where visitors are allowed to comeup close with the deer.
There are several deer species in the park, including the famous Malaysian mousedeer or kancil.
The kancil are often mentioned in Malaysian folktales as it is believed to have a cunning wit. Legend has it that the little creature, in spite of its size, is able to outwit and defeat larger animals like tigers, crocodiles and snakes.
Feeding is allowed, but food has to be purchased at ticketing counters in the park.
If you have more time to spend, take a day trip away from the city to Pulau Ketam (crab island).
It is about an 1hr 15 min by train from KL Sentral to Port Klang terminal. From there, a high-speed ferry will get you to the island in 30 minutes.
The island houses fishing villages built on stilts above mangrove swamps and, as its name implies, is famous for crabs and seafood.
A popular tourist spot, visitors can explore the island and fish farms on foot, bicycle or join a tour for RM30($13). It includes a seafood lunch.
Of course, no trip to KL is complete without shopping. For the typical Singaporean traveller to KL, these are must-dos in the Malaysian capital.
One of the biggest draws of KL shopping is the huge KLCC shopping centre. Here, you?ll find top fashion and luxury brand shops. Even if you?re a fast shopper, you?d need about half a day to cover this mall.
One of the newer malls in the city is the Pavilion. The 7-storey mall in Bukit Bintang offers a range of branded retail names from Coach, Armani and DKNY to local designers and popular clothing outlets like Zara and Guess.
For those who enjoy street shopping, KL's Petaling Street in Chinatown offers all things from fashion accessories to herbal medicines.
There are also many night markets in and around KL for visitors to explore after the malls shut. It is best to check with your local taxi driver or hotel concierge for the market closest to you.
Shopoholics will want to start planning for the Malaysian MegaSale Carnival starting this July.
Take a day trip to Pulau Ketam, Crab Island, to visit fishing villages and enjoy seafood.
This article was first published in The New Paper special "Travel Malaysia 2009".
