Kuala Lumpur

Originally just a small hamlet of modest houses and shops, Kuala Lumpur grew from a jungle-covered mining settlement into a thriving capital of Malaysia in the latter half of the 19th century. The city fell under British colonization under 1957 which paved the way for modern Malaysia to come into existence in 1963. Kuala Lumpur remains the driving force behind Malaysian culture, finances and social life, with a rich cultural heritage that pulls influence from Malays, Chinese, Indian and Indigenous groups.

At its core, Kuala Lumpur is a vibrant fusion of cultures that can be seen most notably in its historical monuments and heavenly gastronomy. There’s no better way to dive into Kuala Lumpur than at the bustling street markets which offer some of the best local grub. Excellent hygiene standards, fresh ingredients and overall high-quality of cooking have thrust KL into a one of Asia’s culinary hotspots in recent years. Whereas incense-clad temples and ancient art is a striking contrast to the futuristic skyline.

The temperature in Kuala Lumpur remains steadily between 80 and 90 degrees all year round. The ideal visit, however, falls between March and October as the weather is drier and rain is uncommon. Despite the rise in internationally-renowned dining establishments and elegant white tablecloth restaurants with celebrity chefs, Hawker stalls and traditional neighborhood kopitiam (coffee shops) are an essential part of Malaysian food culture that's certainly worth diving into, especially the national dish, nasi lemak.