One of the first things about Kuala Lumpur that will strike many visitors is how green the city is. Shiny new buildings abound, but so do beautiful old trees. And it is not just vegetation in among the concrete that is thriving; KL also has three large urban parks: KLCC Gardens, Titiwangsa Lake Gardens and … read the full post

You know how it often is with buses, you wait ages for one to arrive, and then two or three come along at the same time. Well, the same seems to be true with bus stations in Kuala Lumpur. After decades of neglect, Malaysia’s first integrated transport terminal, TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan), became fully operational … read the full post

Following the burst of artistic activity that accompanies the French Art and Film Festival in Kuala Lumpur every May, June can seem like a bit of a quiet month when it comes to the performing arts. Fortunately for resident and visiting culture buffs alike, the KL Performing Arts Centre, together with the Actors Studio, have … read the full post

I am beginning to think that I am the only person I know who does not have a tattoo. It’s not that I have a problem with them; I’ve been toying with the idea of getting inked for several years now. Two main things have put me off: that you have to live with it … read the full post

One of the biggest complaints about Kuala Lumpur, from both visitors and residents alike, is the shocking price of alcohol. It is often more expensive to get a drink in KL than in notoriously expensive cities like London and New York (and er, islands like Bali). Hefty government taxes are partly to blame, but many … read the full post

If you are looking for a thrill-a-minute day trip from Kuala Lumpur, then Kuala Selangor is likely to prove a big disappointment. If, however, you just want a pleasant break from modern city life, then this sleepy town by the banks of Sungai Selangor (Selangor River) has a lot going for it. It is relatively … read the full post

My first piece of advice to anyone thinking of hiring a car to use in Kuala Lumpur would be: don’t do it! KL drivers may not be the worst in the world, but they come fairly close. Add in erratic signage, ever-worsening traffic jams, and a frightening disregard for road safety, and you can appreciate … read the full post

Malaysian intercity bus travel is a curious thing indeed. The journey itself is for the most part efficient, pleasant and good value for money. By contrast, the vast majority of bus terminals are hot, noisy, confusing, tout-filled nightmares. If the buses themselves do a good job of representing Malaysia’s first world aspirations, the places where … read the full post

For most of the year, pickings are rather thin for film buffs in Kuala Lumpur. Unless you are happy with the most mainstream of Hollywood fare, and the occasional Asian martial arts movie, the choice on offer at the city’s many cinemas is distinctly disappointing. Which is why this May is a special month for … read the full post