KUALA LUMPUR

Sample exotically textured cuisine in a colourful chaos of cultures. Or get glammed up for a spending spree at exclusive shops, then have dinner at the city’s priciest restaurant. All of this awaits you in Malaysia’s vibrant capital city, torn between tradition and progress.

Sleep at the Meliá Kuala Lumpur

With an unbeatable location right in the Golden Triangle, elegant and comfortable facilities and excellent service that’s perfectly integrated with the local culture, the Meliá Kuala Lumpur is the ideal hotel for both business and pleasure.

Dine on Jalan Alor

To soak up the local smells, colours and flavours, there’s no place better than this street. It comes alive when the sun goes down, creating a memory you’ll never forget. Here, the chic city gives way to the frenetic hustle and bustle of street stalls, which offer up irresistible culinary temptations. Jalan Alor is the true street food experience: delicious dishes from endless outdoor restaurants lining the pavements where, at knockdown prices, they serve not only Malaysian cuisine but also Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese and more. This is where the locals have dinner, knowing that the best kitchens in Kuala Lumpur are those without air conditioning.

Shop till you drop at M Store

If you’re looking for sophisticated clothing with a touch of fun, this gigantic location at the Pavilion shopping centre is paradise. Considered one of the most exciting multi-brand boutiques in KL (as described by the media at its opening ceremony, which featured Victoria Beckham), M Store unites prestigious labels like Elizabeth & James, Clover Canyon, Emma Cook, Jonathan Liang, Hale Bob, AQ / AQ and Sonia Rykiel, among many others. All of them stand out for their bold style: neoprene dresses, printed silk blouses, skater t-shirts and so on. For those who find it a bit too expensive, there’s always MO Outlet, with last season’s items at competitive prices.

See the sunset from Heli Lounge Bar

There are some things you can only experience in KL. Watching the sun sink from a real heliport more than 200 metres high, for example. This is what happens at Heli Lounge Bar, which is composed of two parts. On the one hand, there’s the aeronautics-themed restaurant and bar on the 34th floor of the Menara KH building. On the other, there’s the helicopter platform that, once closed to traffic, turns into a terrace (no walls, no guardrails, no limits!) where you can have a drink and hear music by famous DJs. The views from this unusual rooftop, accessible by way of a steep staircase, will take your breath away. Vertigo sufferers need not apply.

Glamour galore at Marini’s on 57

In just 60 seconds, the elevator rises to the 57th floor of the so-called Third Petronas Tower. Here you’ll find Marini’s on 57, the Italian restaurant owned by businessman Modesto Marini, with a stunning bar-lounge and a glass-walled terrace where you can almost reach out and touch the famous twin towers. It’s a place that’s seduced celebrities like Jimmy Choo, Tiger Woods and Valentino Rossi, both with its exquisite cuisine (as proven by the waiting list) and its cocktail menu, highlights of which include the gin-based Marini’s Sangaree and the Espresso Marteny, a fun take on the traditional martini.

Climb the Petronas

Although there are those who will decline on principle, we recommend that you meet your tourist quota with the buildings so central to the image of Kuala Lumpur. We’re talking, of course, about the Petronas Towers (452 metres tall), which retain their iconic status despite having lost their title as the world’s tallest buildings in 2003. These twin towers, replete with Islamic symbolism, are still the world’s greatest architectural wonder in the eyes of many. At the top, the skybridge linking the two structures offers fantastic views. Down below, the Suria Shopping Mall bubbles with activity at its cinema, orchestra hall, galleries and exclusive shops.

Discover the hipster haven PS156

At once a restaurant-café, co-working space, wine bar, bicycle repair shop and pop-up shop, PS156 is, in short, a revived multipurpose space in Old Chinatown—an area witnessing the gentrification of KL. The project is led by architects Shin Chang and Penny Ng. They’ve worked hard to raise it from the ruins of a derelict building, turning it into a haven of creativity that retains the neighbourhood’s charisma. The ground floor houses Chocha Foodstore, a place where customers can sit (cho) and drink tea (cha), with an industrial aesthetic bathed in natural light that will drive Instagrammers mad.

Disconnect in the Perdana botanical garden

The city’s oldest park, better known by its previous name (Lake Gardens), is the perfect place to escape the tarmac: immense forested areas dotted with lakes, hundred-year-old trees and attractions like a bird and butterfly sanctuary, an insect museum, an orchid garden and a planeta-

rium. All of it tidy, clean and well looked after. This place, where the British elite built their luxurious mansions in the colonial era, is now a refreshing environment where urbanites can escape the city to go running or practise tai chi.

Try durian at Chow Kit Market

Those who want a truly authentic experience should sample this exotic fruit, which is native to Southeast Asia (especially Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei) and sure to leave a lasting impression. It’s not just any fruit; despite the fact that its stinky scent means its consumption is prohibited in public spaces (buses, schools, official buildings, etc.) it actually has a delicious flavour. Some people describe it as a mix of cheese, almonds and caramel. Almost every market in KL sells this delicacy, with its spiky shell and creamy, soft interior. There are even a host of all-youcan-eat restaurants that let you fill up on durians, guilt-free.

Visit the National Museum of Malaysia

To get to know the country from within—its history, culture and idiosyncrasies—you have to explore this museum, housed in the elegant Muzium Negara building: a palatial structure in the rumah gadang style. Here you can carefully examine the historical and artistic background of Malaysia, from prehistoric times to the present, passing through the arrival of Islam and the colonial era. It’s educational and enlightening, illustrating each period with authentic relics of Malaysian heritage: crafts, weapons, works of art... even old train engines.

Explore Little India

Located slightly north of the confluence of the two rivers, this is a real delight for the senses.

The neighbourhood is actually called Brickfields (it used to be the place where bricks were manufactured to reconstruct KL), and realistically emulates a little piece of India. Picturesque alleyways emit aromas of sandalwood, temples honour Hindu gods and lotus flowers adorn stalls offering beautiful saris and colourful necklaces. Here you can also try delicious curries and fantastic vegetarian dishes, served on banana leaves rather than plates.