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History & Evolution
Kuala Lumpur came into being in 1857 when a band of Chinese miners and traders in search of tin landed at the meeting point of the Kelang and Gombak rivers and imaginatively named the place Kuala Lumpur meaning ‘Muddy Confluence’.

More than half of those first arrivals died of malaria and other tropical diseases, but the tin they discovered in Ampang was much needed by Western colonists to build their empire. Therefore, the city attracted more miners and became a noisy, brawling, violent boomtown by the 1860's.

By the 1880s KL became increasingly upmarket and residential and soon the central government was transferred to the city from Klang. Further the devastation by fire and flood in 1881 prompted a building boom and eventually in 1896 the city became the capital of the newly formed Federated Malay States.

The city’s oldest mosque, Jamek Mosque was built in 1908 overlooking the spot where it all began. When the Malaysian peninsula came under British rule in 1913, its economy further prospered increasing its Indian and Chinese immigrant populations significantly. Nevertheless, the onset of World War II and the Japanese invasion of British Malaya drastically reversed this boom and within one month Kuala Lumpur had fallen to the Japanese, who soon defeated the British at Singapore.

After bearing atrocities of Japanese and again coming under the reign of British, Malaysia finally declared its independence in 1957 in KL's Dataran Merdeka (Freedom Square). The city officially became the independent Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur when the sultan of Selangor State ceded it in 1974.

Despite the economic downturn of the late 1990s, Kuala Lumpur continued to develop on a monumental scale and today it is not only Malaysia's political and commercial capital, but also its most populous and prosperous city.

Site-Seeing
Along with the character and colour of countless old colonial buildings and pre-war edifices, Kuala Lumpur is also a city of skyscrapers notably the magnificent Petronas Twin Towers & grand Kuala Lumpur Tower. This astounding blending of old and new will capture your heart and mind in a way no other international city can.

Besides its urban environment, KL retains the ambience of a garden city with its attractive landscaping, lush greenery and extensive public parks.

Petronas Twin Towers:
Celebrated as the tallest towers in the world until the recent completion of Taipei 101, Petronas towers stand at a height of 1,483ft (452m). Condensing Malaysia’s emergence as South East Asia’s commercial and cultural center, the building consists of two similarly shaped towers joined by a 58m (192ft) Sky-bridge which is open to visitors.

This 88-storey landmark is designed by Cesar Pelli using traditional geometric principles of Islamic architecture along with modern technology.

The towers are used as office complexes that form part of the Kuala Lumpur City Center Development Park. Recently a Science Discovery Center packaged as PETROSAINS, which provides a fun and educational way for children to learn about both petroleum science and science in general is also opened..

Location: Suria KLCC, City Center

Friday Mosque (Masjid Jamek):
Located on the edge of Gombak and Klang River, Masjid Jamek is a haven of peace and tranquillity set amongst the buzz and rush of modern KL. Surrounded by palm tress and curved steps, the Mosque is built on a symbolic site dating back to the origins of Kuala Lumpur, being the spot where the founders of the city first set foot.

Built in 1909, the design of the Masjid is inspired by Mogul mosques of northern India wherein cupolas and minarets top the brick walls with arched colonnades. As with all mosques, a visit calls for conservative dress and removal of shoes.

Location: Jalan Tun Perak

National Museum (Muzium Negara):
The exhibition in the museum displays historical artifacts and cultural icons of Malaysia, while the building itself is appropriately designed reflecting the Minangkabau architectural style of the region.

The ethnographic and archaeological exhibits include life-size dioramas depicting various aspects of traditional Malaysian life whereas the shadow plays (Wayang kilt) displays reflect the ancient artistry of the nation. Further the exhibits of traditional weapons such as daggers (kris) and machetes (parangs) reveal the Malaysian pride in functional aesthetic forms.

Location: Jalan Damansara

Lake Gardens:
Established in 1888, this 60-hectare (148-acre) lush vegetation surrounds a vast lake forming the green belt of Kuala Lumpur. These manicured gardens once home to the ranking British official, today has plenty to keep visitors amused.

The Lake Gardens incorporate butterfly house, bird park, orchid & hibiscus gardens, Malaysia’s Parliament House, planetarium and an insect museum along with a walk-in aviary. Visitors can also take a leisurely boat cruise to enjoy views of the gardens from the water.

Location: Ln Parlimen

Kuala Lumpur Railway Station:
The riot of minarets, towers, arches and spires exploding against the backdrop of skyscrapers makes the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station an extraordinary architectural assortment of a kind of Walt Disney and Moorish British colonialism.

Though InterCity trains no longer stop at the station, it still serves as a refueling stop and passenger pick-up point for the grand Eastern and Oriental Express. Therefore, making a special trip to see this luxurious locomotive pull in, fill its water tanks and ease out again is a memorable experience.

Location: Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin