Once a muddy confluence of two rivers, today Kuala Lumpur is the iconic capital of Malaysia. From humble beginnings, KL is now a city brimming with fabulous restaurants, endless shopping opportunities, stunning parks and some of the worlds most recognisable buildings. A weekend in Kuala Lumpur takes you from the heights of the TV Tower to the back streets of its thriving Chinatown all in one fabulous adventure – all beginning with a flight to Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the arrival point for a flight and hotel in Kuala Lumpur, is regularly touted as one of the best in the world, and is connected to the city by an express transit train. Coaches and buses to various downtown locations are also situated outside the terminal building and taxis are readily available.
Visitors with a UK passport don't need a visa to enter Malaysia on a flight from London to Kuala Lumpur and can stay for up to three months for the purposes of tourism. The official language is Malay – regularly cited as one of the easiest Asian languages as it uses the Roman alphabet. Kuala Lumpur is eight hours ahead of GMT.
City breaks to Kuala Lumpur offer weather that is warm and sunny all year round and visitors can delight in the tropical sunshine in Malaysia 365 days a year. Rainfall fluctuates, but even during the wet season it rarely rains for more than an hour or two in the afternoon. Christmas is peak season for visitors. This is when you'll find the city at its busiest but offering the most pleasant temperatures for sightseeing.
Visitors with a flight and hotel in Kuala Lumpur will discover an abundance of attractions right on their doorstep. Shopping is one of Malaysia's favourite pastimes and KL has over 65 malls, each offering something to suit every budget for travellers on city breaks to Kuala Lumpur. Most of the malls are situated in the entertainment district Bukit Bintang, which is where the majority of KL's bars, restaurants, markets, cinemas and clubs are also located.
Malaysia's ambition to be a prominent leader on the world stage has seen numerous arts and cultural venues spring up in recent years. The National Theatre, KL Performing Arts Centre and the KL Philharmonic all stage world-class performances and have reasonable ticket prices to purchase while on package holidays in Kuala Lumpur. KL Bird Park is a fantastic activity that takes you away from the buzz of the city to witness the beauty of nature. This free flight aviary is home to hundreds of exotic birds and you can get up-close to many of them for that perfect photo opportunity.
Kuala Lumpur boasts an array of architectural styles which you can see from a flight from Manchester to Kuala Lumpur. This style speaks of the city's colonial past while also reflecting on the melting pot of religions, ethnicities and cultures who call KL home today. Many of the grandest buildings are located in and around Merdeka Square and some highlights include:
The Petronas Towers, also known as the twin towers, is the defining landmark of KL. Standing proudly above the city, the towers are part of a shopping and leisure complex and are surrounded by beautiful gardens offering a green oasis right in the middle of the city. Tickets to visit the viewing platform at the towers must be booked in advance on package holidays in Kuala Lumpur.
If you also have time to explore the surrounding area, you can also rent a car in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia's cuisine is heavily influenced by its Thai neighbours, but also heavily by Chinese and Indian food. The street food market in Bukit Bintang serves everything from sushi to dumplings and is a wonderful way to spend the evening – eating your way through the vibrant stalls of tasty delights. Close to Merdeka Square, you'll find both Chinatown and Little India serving stunning dishes to sample on a weekend in Kuala Lumpur.
As well as the more typical clothes and accessories which are abundant in KL, you can also bring back some gifts with a significant cultural heritage. Handwoven crafts, primarily created from bamboo, are easily transportable and there are lots of products to choose from such as baskets and handbags. Dodol is perfect for those with a sweet tooth. This toffee-like confectionery is loved by locals and is the ideal gift for your friends to share on your return flight from Kuala Lumpur.
If a city break in Kuala Lumpur doesn't quite convince you, why not explore other exciting cities? Check out our amazing flight and hotel packages for your next holiday adventure!