Kuala Lumpur: 30 Facts About This Vibrant Malaysian City


 

The vibrant Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur is a city that captures the spirit of a country. It is a thriving example of the daring of desire and the steadfast adherence to tradition. In this city, where soaring buildings reach the heavens and verdant parks give the concrete jungle life, time seems to have a mind of its own.

It is a city where the past and present collide in a fascinating dance of civilizations and where ancient temples coexist peacefully with cutting-edge construction feats. The name Kuala Lumpur, which translates to 鈥渕uddy confluence鈥 in Malay, reflects the city鈥檚 historical significance as a center of trade and commerce where the Gombak and Klang rivers meet.

However, Kuala Lumpur is more than simply a geographical junction; it is a living example of Malaysia鈥檚 spirit, a country that views its variety as its greatest strength. Malaysians, Chinese, Indians, and many other ethnic groups coexist together in this diverse region of customs, cuisine, and languages. Kuala Lumpur is a tapestry of multiculturalism, where unity flourishes amidst difference, from the busy alleyways of Chinatown to the fragrant food stalls of Little India and the beautiful mosques strewn across the city.

Here are the 30 Facts About This Vibrant Malaysian City;

1. The City is Located in the Klang Valley and Bordered by Mountains

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Kuala Lumpur is a great city to visit because of its strategic positioning. There are very few renowned cities around the world that are strategically positioned like Kuala Lumpur.

Its geography is characterized by the huge Klang Valley where the city lies. It is then bordered by mountains and minor ranges. To the east of the city, the Titiwangsa Mountains border the city, to the north and the south are multiple minor ranges, and the Strait of Malacca in the west.

2. Kuala Lumpur鈥檚 Name has a Significant Meaning

In Malay, Kuala Lumpur is referred to as the 鈥渕uddy confluence鈥 since Lumpur is the Malay word for 鈥渕ud鈥 and Kuala refers to the meeting of two rivers or an estuary. According to one theory, it was named after Sungai Lumpur, which means 鈥渕uddy river鈥.

3. The City was Founded as a Tin Mining Settlement

Kuala Lumpur began as a tin mining settlement which later developed. According to the Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asia Ticket Society, Raja Abdullah founded the city. He opened up tin mines up the river and brought Chinese into the region.

In the 1840s, the Chinese engaged in tin mining up the Selangor River which is 16 km north of the present-day city. Originally, the city was a small place with few houses and shops at the Klang River.

In 1857, Kuala Lumpur was established as a town when Raja and his brother, Raja Juma鈥檃t helped him raise funds from Malaccan Chinese businessmen. More Chinese miners were courted to open more mines in the area aiding its growth.

4. Kuala Lumpur is One of the Most Populous Cities in Malaysia

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As of 2020, 1.98 million people were living in the city proper of Kuala Lumpur, making it the most populous city in Malaysia. The most populated administrative district in Malaysia, it has a density of 8,157 people per square kilometer (21,130/sq mi).

The nickname for the residents of the city is KLites. As of 2017, it was projected that 7.25 million people lived in the larger Klang Valley metropolitan region, which includes Petaling Jaya, Klang, Subang Jaya, Puchong, Shah Alam, and Gombak.

5. The Iconic Petronas Twin Towers is Located in Kuala Lumpur

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Kuala Lumpur is home to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. Also known as the Petronas Towers, these are an interlinked pair of 88-story super-tall skyscrapers. They stand at 451.9 meters tall.

The Twin Towers were officially the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004 until Taipei 101 surpassed them in 2004. They also remained the world鈥檚 tallest twin skyscrapers. Petronas Twin Towers were the tallest buildings in Malaysia until 2019 the Exchange 106 surpassed them.

6. Kuala Lumpur Boasts of a Stunning Skyline

The Petronas Towers are not the only beauty that graces the skies of Kuala Lumpur. The city boasts of a stunning skyline. The Kuala Lumpur city center (KLCC), where numerous brand-new, tall structures with modern and postmodern architecture cover the skyline, is now where Kuala Lumpur鈥檚 primary business center is located.

Kuala Lumpur ranks 10th among cities with the most buildings taller than 100 meters, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat鈥檚 World Tallest 50 Urban Agglomeration 2010 Projection, with a total height of 34,035 meters from its 244 high-rise structures.

7. The City鈥檚 Architecture is a Mix of Various Cultures

Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas

Kuala Lumpur鈥檚 architecture is a fusion of historical colonial influences, Asian customs, Malay Islamic inspirations, modern, and postmodern styles. Most of Kuala Lumpur鈥檚 noteworthy colonial-era structures were constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, making it a relatively new metropolis when compared to other Southeast Asian capitals like Bangkok, Jakarta, and Manila. These structures were created in a variety of architectural styles, including the Mughal/Moorish Revival, Mock Tudor, Neo-Gothic, and Grecian-Spanish.

8. Kuala Lumpur Experiences Tropical Rainforest Climate Annually

The city experiences a tropical rainforest-like climate annually. The hottest month is March with an average temperature of 28掳C (82掳F), while the coldest month is January with a temperature of 27掳C (81掳F). September has the most daily sunlight hours at 8. November has the most average rainfall with 290mm.

9. The City is Pluralistic and Religiously Diverse

This city is a place where diversity is embraced. The city is pluralistic and religiously diverse. Several places of worship offer places for praying for the multi-religious population.

The Malays practice Islam as well as the Indian Muslim communities and a minor number of Chinese Muslims. Among the other Chinese, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism are also practiced. Some people practice Hinduism and Christianity.

10. Malaysia鈥檚 Parliament is Located in Kuala Lumpur

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The Malaysian Parliament has its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. The Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches of Malaysia鈥檚 government are outlined in the federal Constitution. The Dewan Negara (Upper House/House of Senate) and Dewan Rakyat (Lower House/House of Representatives) make up the Parliament.

11. The City is Malaysia鈥檚 Economic and Business Hub

Kuala Lumpur is an important region in Malaysia. It is the economic and business hub of the country. The city boasts of being the finance center, insurance, real estate, media, and arts center of Malaysia. According to the Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network, Kuala Lumpur is the only global city in Malaysia.

12. English is Widely Spoken along with Malay Language

Malaysian, commonly known as Malaysian Malay or just Malay, is the official language of Kuala Lumpur. The majority of the population of Kuala Lumpur speaks Malay, with English coming in second. In addition to these, Tamil, which is largely spoken by the Indians who currently dwell in Kuala Lumpur, and Chinese dialects like Mandarin and Hokkien are also extremely widespread.

13. Kuala Lumpur is the 6th-Most Visited City in the World

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The service-based economy of the city is significantly influenced by tourism. There are numerous significant hotel chains in the city. The Hotel Majestic is one of the oldest hotels. With 8.9 million visitors a year, Kuala Lumpur is the sixth most visited city in the world. The city鈥檚 many cultures, affordable prices, and extensive gastronomic and retail options all contribute to its high tourist popularity.

14. The Oldest Hotel in Malaysia is in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a historic city because of some of the amenities within it. One of the oldest hotels in Malaysia is located in Kuala Lumpur.

This hotel, Hotel Majestic is the oldest and historic hotel in the country. It is located near Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. Hotel Majestic is also part of the Autograph Collection.

15. Foreign and large Local Companies are in Kuala Lumpur

A significant number of multinational organizations have regional offices or support centers in this city, especially for the departments of finance and accounting, and information technology. The majority of the largest businesses in the nation have their headquarters here, and as of December 2007 excluding Petronas, Kuala Lumpur is home to 14 businesses that are listed in Forbes 2000.

16. Kuala Lumpur Hosts Several Cultural Festivals

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Numerous cultural celebrations are held in Kuala Lumpur, including the Thaipusam procession at the Sri Mahamariamman Temple. Every year, during the Thaipusam festival, a silver chariot pulling a statue of Lord Muruga, his wife Valli, and Teivayanni would be carried through the city from the temple to the Batu Caves in the nearby Gombak, Selangor.

17. The City is a Shopping Hub

Other than being a cultural city, Kuala Lumpur also plays a major role as a hub for shopping. There are sixty-six shopping malls in the city. The City is also a fashion hub for both Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Shopping in Kuala Lumpur has boosted the economy of Malaysia as it contributed to US$2.26 billion in 2006.

18. Kuala Lumpur Boasts of a Wide Variety of Cuisine

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The city also boasts a wide variety of cuisine in their restaurants. The cuisine in the city is simple, but tasty and keeps you wanting more and more of the food. There are a variety of food that you should try while visiting Kuala Lumpur. Some of the best cuisines in Kuala Lumpur include roti canai, Nasi lemak, Cendol, Masak lemak, Rendang, Wan tan mee, Satay, and Nasi kandar.

19. Government Offices in Kuala Lumpur are Hosted in the Sultan Abdul Samad Building

In Kuala Lumpur, on Jalan Raja in front of Dataran Merdeka and the Royal Selangor Club, stands the late-19th-century Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Initially housing the offices of the British colonial government, the structure was referred to simply as Government Offices.

It was given a new name in 1974 in honor of Sultan Abdul Samad, who was the Selangor sultan in power at the time construction got underway. In the present day, the building houses several government houses.

20. There are Several Green Spaces and Parks in the City

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The first leisure park built in Kuala Lumpur was the 92-hectare (230-acre) Perdana Botanical Garden or Lake Gardens. Nearby are the Malaysian Parliament buildings and Carcosa Seri Negara, the former official house of the British colonial authority. The Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, the largest aviary bird park in the world, as well as a butterfly park, deer park, orchid garden, and hibiscus garden are all included in the park.

The other parks located in Kuala Lumpur include the ASEAN Sculpture Garden, KLCC Park, Titiwangsa Lake Gardens, Metropolitan Lake Gardens in Kepong, Taman Tasik Permaisuri (Queen鈥檚 Lake Gardens), Bukit Kiara Botanical Gardens, the equestrian park and West Valley Park near Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), and Bukit Jalil International Park.

21. Kuala Lumpur has 3 Forest Reserves Within

The city is home to beautiful scenery areas. Within the city, there are 3 forest reserves. The oldest gazetted forest reserve in the city is the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve.

The Reserve is hosted in 10.53 ha of land within the city. 7.42 ha Bukit Sungai Putih Forest Reserve is the second reserve in the city. The third forest reserve in the city is Bukit Sungai Besi Forest Reserve hosted on 42.11 ha of land.

22. Numerous Animals can be seen within the City

Because of the three forest reserves hosted in Kuala Lumpur, expect to be entertained while touring there. There are numerous animal species, including monkeys, treeshrews, pygmy goats, budgerigars, squirrels, and birds, that can be found in these residual forest areas. Kuala Lumpur is the perfect place where you should visit to enjoy the city and wild scenery.

23. There are a series of Caves and Cave Temples in the City

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Another spectacular feature of Kuala Lumpur is the series of caves and cave temples. The Batu Caves, located outside the city center are a place to enjoy your outdoor activities.

The caves are a popular area with Hindu shrines that are dedicated to Murugan. The Tamil festival of Thaipusam usually takes place here. You can also engage in several other fun activities while visiting the Batu Caves.

24. Several Significant Museums are Hosted in the City

Malaysia鈥檚 center for cultural events and activities is Kuala Lumpur. The National Museum, which is located along the Mahameru Highway, is one of the centers. Its collection consists of items and paintings gathered across the nation.

The Islamic Arts Museum is the largest Islamic art collection in Southeast Asia, including about 7,000 Islamic artifacts, including rare displays, and a library of Islamic art texts. The museum鈥檚 collection contains artwork from China and Southeast Asia in addition to its focus on pieces from the Middle East.

25. Kuala Lumpur Has a Thriving Nightlife Scene

There are several forms of entertainment in Kuala Lumpur. If you are a nightlife lover, Kuala Lumpur is the perfect place to be. The city has a thriving nightlife scene that attracts several people of all ages. There are several bars, clubs, and entertainment joints in the city which host several people every night. If you love partying, this is the city you should visit when you are in Malaysia.

26. There is a Historic Railway Station in Kuala Lumpur

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Kuala Lumpur Railway Station is the historic railway station in the city. The building project started in 1910 and was finished in 1917. The Kuala Lumpur railway station replaced an older station at the place.

Before Kuala Lumpur Sentral mostly took over that station鈥檚 function in 2001, the station served as Kuala Lumpur鈥檚 train hub for the Federated Malay States Railways and its successor Keretapi Tanah Melayu (in English known as Malayan Railways). The station is renowned for its architecture, which blends Western and Eastern styles.

27. The City Attracts Several Students as it is an Education Hub

Kuala Lumpur recorded a 97.5% literacy rate in 2000 according to Malaysian government statistics. This confirms that the city is an education hub that serves several students. There are several universities and educational institutions in the city. The city boasts 14 tertiary education institutions, 79 high schools, 155 elementary schools, and 136 kindergartens.

28. The Largest Free-flight Walk-in Aviaries in the World is in Kuala Lumpur

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Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is a renowned public aviary measuring that measures 20.9 acres. This aviary is located close to The Perdana Botanical Gardens, Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park, the National Mosque, and the Royal Malaysian Police Museum.

It is one of the largest covered bird parks in the world. The Bird Park is home to more than 3,000 birds from more than 200 different species. 10% of the birds were imported from nations like Australia, China, Holland, Indonesia, New Guinea, Tanzania, and Thailand, while 90% were native birds.

29. Local Rail Services are Provided by Kuala Lumpur Urban Rails

In 1995, the KTM Komuter commuter rail service was launched to provide local train services in the city and other suburban districts. Later, after the Northern and Southern sectors had been established, services were extended to other regions of Malaysia. The Central Sector鈥檚 175 km (109 mi) KTM Komuter network has 53 stations. It consists of the Port Klang Line (Tanjung Malim to Port Klang) and the Seremban Line (Batu Caves to Pulau Sebang/Tampin), two cross-city routes.

The medium-capacity rail lines known as Light Rapid Transit (LRT) also serve the city. After the initial LRT line opened in 1996, the system was expanded to include three additional lines, which debuted in 1998 and 1999. Along with the MRT, the LRT was built and is owned by Prasarana; Rapid KL and Rapid Rail currently hold the operational concessions.

30. Soccer is One of the Most Popular Sports in the City

One of the most popular sports in Kuala Lumpur is football. Stadium Merdeka is where the Merdeka Tournament is primarily hosted. The Stadium Negara, one of the nation鈥檚 oldest indoor stadiums, is situated directly next to it. Additionally, Kuala Lumpur City, a Malaysia Super League team, is based in the city.

 

Kuala Lumpur is the best city to have a stay in while you are on your tour in Malaysia. This is a place where you will create memories through the culture, traditions, entertainment, and a more welcoming environment.

 

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