Close to where Kuala Lumpur began in 1857 is a traffic-clogged square called Pasar Medan — literally, “market field” in Malay. It was here that the city’s pioneering tin miners bought their fresh supplies, and around which the early settlement too shape. In the late 19th century, the market was moved to a new site … read the full post

Asked in a pub quiz what the capital of Malaysia is, most people would probably plump for Kuala Lumpur, and they would be half-right. That’s because since 1999, the official administrative centre of the country has been Putrajaya, a planned city 25 kilometres to the south. KL remains the national capital, as well as the … read the full post

You might well think that an English playwright who produced his work at the turn of the 17th century has little relevance in a modern Southeast Asian city such as Kuala Lumpur. But the fine people at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre clearly see things differently, if their March schedule is anything to go … read the full post

Kuala Lumpur may not be the most photogenic place in the world, but is has easily enough visual interest to keep most amateur snappers happy. This does not mean though that taking a good picture is necessarily straightforward. Much of the problem is the number of places where taking photos is against the rules. Virtually … read the full post

For many people, graffiti is one of the banes of modern urban life, nothing more than an act of vandalism. For others, it is an art form in its own right, deserving of encouragement not approbation. Like any large city, Kuala Lumpur has its fair share of ugly, disfiguring graffiti. But it also has a … read the full post

For three days every year, the Batu Caves temple complex is at the centre of Malaysia’s most extraordinary religious event — the Hindu festival of Thaipusam. On the first day, a procession wends its way from central Kuala Lumpur to the complex, which is about 15km to the north. Setting off just after midnight, it takes … read the full post

It may seem strange to visitors from cooler climes, particularly those escaping from the bleakest months of the European or North American winter, but Malaysians spend much of their time trying to avoid the heat. Increasingly, people work, play and sleep in air-con. This is especially true of urban areas like Kuala Lumpur, where temperatures … read the full post