Kuala Lumpur has grown from nothing to a modern bustling city in less than 130 years, and is now home to two million people. Situated on the convergence of the Kelang and Gombak rivers, KL (as it's almost universally known) retains much of the character and local colour. It has lots of colonial buildings still standing in its centre.

Kuala Lumpur is situated in the Selangor province near the west coast of the Malay Peninsular. The twin Petronas Towers skyscrapers - the tallest building in the world - dominates the city skyline, while in nearby Merdeka Square stands a 95m (312ft) flagpole.

Merdeka Square is a popular tourist attraction, in the heart of downtown KL, and was originally host to the proclamation of independence in 1957. Nearby, and also of historical interest, you will find the Royal Selangor Club for VIP?s, the Victorian Sultan Abdul Samad building, The National History Museum and city library.

KL's Chinatown, about 300m south-east of Merdeka Square, is a vibrant section of the city with many street vendors and night markets. The central section, Jalan Petaling, is a pedestrianised market and is most spectacular at night, when all of the street stalls, food, haggling and lights create a fabulous athmosphere. Little India is also a fun, bustling place to spend a few hours.

The famous Golden Triangle shopping and commerce area, located in the shadows of the Petronas Towers, is almost a small city in itself. This area also contains all the most expensive hotels, restaurants and nightlife in the city.

Kuala Lumphur is hot and humid all year round, rainfall is variable and falls all year round. The driest, and therefore probably most desireable visiting months, months tend to be June and July.

Attractions further afield include the city Green Belt, bird park, trekking and relaxing by the beautiful Tasik Perdana Lake.

Penang

One of Malaysia?s most popular tourist attractions is an island located off its west coast, not far from Thailand. The lush undulating island of Penang has a curious colonial past and distinctly Chinese influence. Both ancient and modern, urban and rural, this island has much to offer.

Georgetown is the only significant settlement on this large island, and is surprisingly developed with high-rise hotels and good tourist facilities. Its lovely tree-lined avenues and orderly suburbs give it a definite colonial feel and there are many abandoned or restored neo-colonial mansions and ex-government buildings around the city. The crumbling old terraced houses and trading stores of Chinatown will delight those who wander the backstreets. The waterfront area is cosmopolitan with modest beaches, clustered around Lebuh Chulia and Jalan Penang, and great curries are found in the Little India section.

Fort Cornwallis in the centre of Georgetown, dates from the late 1700s when the British arrived and began building a settlement here. It is now surrounded by a park and includes the bizarre Seri Rambai cannon (c 1600s) supposedly having procreative powers!.

Khoo Kongsi is a fine example of an active Chinese temple in the city and Kuan Yin Teng Temple is another place to observe Chinese religious rituals.

Penang Hill rises up behind Georgetown and a furnicular can take you to the top to wander about the forest, admire the excellent views and visit the interesting Mosque and Hindu temple.

Several beaches and resorts are dotted about the island, and it?s interior is largely mountainous. The most developed and comfortable area is Batu Feringhu in the north. The west coast is largely inaccessible but there are some curious fishing villages in the south and a number of temples worth visiting. The botanical garden is also recommended.

Penang has an airport, but international visitors usually have to connect via Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Bangkok.