KUALA LUMPUR TRAVEL GUIDE

In its 120 years, Kuala Lumpur (KL) has grown from a Wild-West tin-mining town - harassed by civil war, fires and floods - into an affluent modern Asian capital.

The city's 21st century skyline of gleaming skyscrapers, crowned by the vertiginous and self assured twin Petronas Towers, remains a triumphant legacy of the 1990's boom time. Putraya, a US$8 billion centre for administration and government on Kuala Lumpur's southern periphery and Cyberjaya, an adjoining ultra high tech 'multimedia super corridor' further evince the slick ambitions of this erstwhile shantytown.

Mega projects and aspirations aside however, KL has no deficit of history or culture. Old colonial buildings and modern Islamic masterpieces stand proudly in the centre of town. With its street vendors and old shophouses, vibrant Chinatown is a cultural highlight.

While bustling Little India and the Malay-dominated Chow Kit Market area north of the city centre add zest to the cultural potpouri. KL's multi-religious character is marked by an abundance of fascinating temples and religious customs.

From the capital, many of Selangor's attractions such as the Batu Caves, Zoo Negara, Orang Asli Museum and Templer Park are an easy day trip away.

At first glance, KL may seem like just another noisy, Westernised Asian city. A further look reveals a city with a rich heritage full of colour and character, alongside all the trimmings of a modern metropolis.